JACKSON COUNTY, GA - WILLS John Adams ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: "Pattie Causey" JOHN ADAMS, Book A, page 62 "Georgia Jackson County In the name of God Amen I John Adams of said county & state being sick in body, but of Sound mind & memory do make & ordain this my last Will & testament in manner following, to wit, First I recommend to my executors hereinafter mentioned that my body be decently buried Secondly My Will is that all my real & personal estate (Slaves excepted) be sold by my executors in such way & manner that they may deem best Thirdly I give & bequeath to my friend James Cowen (whom I have also named as one of my executors, all my Slaves to wit Henry Nancey & Polley Leroy Thomas & their increase for and during the term of the natural life of the said James Cowen, & after the decease of the said James Cowen will is & hereby earnestly enjoin it upon my executors that each & every of the said Slaves & their increase be carried & conveyed to some port of the United States (or elsewhere) where they may be free, the expence of such carriage & conveyance to be born out of the proceeds of the sales of my real & personal estate aforesaid Fourthly I request that my executors do as soon as may be after my decease pay all my Just debts & other proper charges against my estate & my will further is that the balance of the proceeds of the sales of my real & personal, after the payment of the expences Debts & charges herein before mentioned to be & is hereby set apart as a fund for the benefit of my said Slaves & increase & to be paid to them on their being conveyed to the place herein before mentioned where they may be free Fifthly I appoint & hereby request my friends James Cowen & Isaac? Cowen to be executors of this my last will & testament & hereby revoke all other & former Wills & testaments by me at any time heretofore made - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 1st day of July 1816 John Adams (Seal) Signed sealed & delivered in presence of H. Camp David S. McCravey George Headen" (probate 30 July 1816)