Jefferson Co. GA -- ELIJAH HUDSON Last Will & Testament - 7 Sep 1843

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Here is the will of Elijah Hudson which was originally transcribed by Samuel
Whigham, HFA member who died last year, but gave me written permission to
use his research for the benefit of others and my own personal use.

Elijah Hudson 1769-1843

STATE OF GEORGIA)

JEFFERSON COUNTY) In the Name of God, Amen.

I, Elijah Hudson of the State and County aforesaid, being sick and weak of
body, but of sound and disposing mind and memory considering after the
certainty of Death and the uncertainty of the time thereof to the end that I
may be prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me
home, have determined to make, publish, and declare this my last Will and
testament:

Item 1st. It is my will that my body, after death be plainly and decently
interred, and my soul I commit and command into the hands of my Creater who
gave it, and of the goods of this world with which it has pleased Providence
to bestow upon me, I dispose of in mannor and form as follows Viz.

Item 2nd. It is my will and desire that my debts should be first paid, and
that from the sale of tract of land known as the Vining tract containing
five hundred acres or less, and so much of my perishable property as may be
necessary after the sale of said land.

Item 3rd. It is my will and desire that all the property of which I may be
possessed of at the time of my Death (my landed property only excepted)
consisting of Negro slaves, vis. Jimmy, James, Mildred, Mary Ann and her
child, Louisa, Alfred, Adeline, Laurel, Charles, Little Jane, Richard, Mary,
Homer, Harry, West, Dinah, Dalsam(?), Shando, Jack and Ned, and their
increase, together with my household furniture, plantation tools, horses,
mules, cattle and stock of all kinds, provisions and crop on hand, money due
me and all and every other species of property whatsoever be appraised, and
one half of the ---?--- I give to my two sons, John F. and George F. Hudson,
they to have the right of taking the following named slaves at appraisement,
viz. Jimmy James, Mildred, Mary Ann and child, Louisa, Alfred, Adeline,
Laurel, Charles, Little Jane and Richard, and said one half to be equally
divided between my two sons, John F. and George F. Hudson, and it is my will
that the other half of the before mentioned property be equally divided
between my two daughters, Delilah Thompson and Vinah King and my sons Elijah
T. Hudson, Eason D. Hudson, John F. Hudson, and George F. Hudson, share and
share alike.

Item 4th. I give to my daughter, Delilah Thompson a Tract of land containing
four hundred and forty acres, more or less known as the Jenkins land,
adjoining to Hannah and others.

Item 5th. It is my will that the balance of my lands in the county of
Jefferson, consisting of the tract on which I now live, containing four
hundred acres more or less, the Murphy tract adjoining the first named
tract, containing three hundred and seventy-five acres more or less, the
Hannan tract containing eight hundred and fifty acres more or less, the
Livingston tract containing two hundred and forty acres more or less, and a
twenty-six acre tract adjoining the same and a twenty-five acre tract
adjoining the tract on which I now live, be equally divided between my sons
John F. and George F. Hudson, and all other lands of which I may be
possessed and which is not named in this, my will, I give to my son, Elijah
T. Hudson.

Item 6th. It is my will that my sons, John F. and George F. Hudson each, do
pay out of the legacy which they shall receive from my estate, fifty dollars
to my daughter, Susan McClain.

Item 7th. It is my will that if either of my sons, John F. or George F.
Hudson die without issue, the survivors to receive and enjoy to himself the
share of the deceased.

Item 8th. It is my will that all that portion of my estate which I leave to
my daughter, Delilah Thompson, at her death, shall be possessed and enjoyed
by my grandson, Charles Fields.

Item 9th. It is my will that in the division of my estate among my children,
that a certain bay horse named Gen. Scott and my buggy be reserved which
immediately after my death, it is my will my executors deliver to Mrs.
Elizabeth Born(?).

Item 10th. I do hereby constitute make and appoint, Eason D. Hudson and John
F. Hudson executors to this my last will and testament. In testomony whereof
I the said, Elijah Hudson, have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my
seal this 7th day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty three.

Signed and Sealed in presence of:

E. C. Williamson) /s/ Elijah Hudson

Mitchell Davis

Philip Clarke

/s/ Ebeneser Bethwell, Clerk of Jefferson County, Georgia