Will of William Potts, Jackson County, Georgia Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Meredith Clapper Wm Potts Georgia, Jackson County: In the name of God, Amen. I, Will Potts of the County and the state aforesaid calling to mind the frailty of this ______ and knowing that it has been appointed for all men once to die in consideration of which have thought proper while I am n possession of a rational mind to make such disposition of the goods of this life as it has pleased God to bless me with in the manner hereinafter following: 1. I desire that my just debts be paid. 2. I desire that my property as it now stand my farm household and kitchen furniture stock of all kinds with the crop on hand and the following negroes Peter, Lydia, Meshack, Anthony, Leah and her child Allice Jackson and her increase shall remain as it now does for the use and benefit of my wife Mary Potts during her natural life of widowhood. 3rd At her death or marriage I desire that the mentioned property shall be divided between my children Moses Potts, Claiborne Harris William Nimmons William Anderson Thomas Potts and Thomas Henderson decd, and the orphans of Alexander Potts in the manner hereinafter directed. 4th I desire that in the event of the marriage of my wife and the distribution of the above named property should be made in conformance with the preceeding section then I direct that for the comfort and convenience of my wife. She shall receive a childs part of the above specified property subject to her use and control until her death at and after which time I desire that the said child's part of property so received by her shall revert to my estate and be equally divided among the above named children. 5 I further desire that all my above named children shall receive an equal part with my wife Mary Potts except Claibern Harris who shall receive three hundred dollars less which said amount of three hundred dollars deducted from his amount of said estate I direct to be equally divided between the orphans of my deceased son Alexander Potts. 6 I desire that when the distribution of my above named property shall be made that then and in that case a majority of the legatees shall have the right to determine whether by lottery or sale to same shall be affected. I further desire and direct my executor that of a consequence of any refractory? conduct of any slave or slaves that I have placed in the possession and care of my wife for her benefit during care of the same if the conduct of such slave be such as not likely to insure or fulfill my wish I empower my executor to act in such manner as by sale or otherwise to carry my wishes into effect and lastly I constitute and appoint my beloved sons Moses & Thomas Potts executors to this my last will & testament revoking all others clothing them with all authority that a father's request and the sanction of this instrument under he law to execute this my last desire so as to overlook with that amount of property that I have been able to leave you so as to relive your mother from care and anxiety and make it profitable to you and the other legatees in compliance with this last request you will then fulfill the wish of him who has hereunto affixed his hand & seal 28 December 1836. M. T. Wilhite Wm Potts seal D. M. Burns Gridwell Worsham ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meredith Clapper