Will of Bennett Joiner, 1851, Laurens Co. GA USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Helen Sharpe Turn1104@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Will of Bennett Joiner Dated 20 March 1851 - Probated 7 December 1853 Georgia, Laurens County In the name of god amen I Bennett Joiner of said state and county being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart from this world deem it right and proper both as respect to myself and family that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind providence has blessed me I therefore make this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all others heretofore made by me. Item First I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and christian like manner suitable to any circumstance and condtion. Item Second I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my executors herein after named Item Third I give and deliver unto my beloved wife Matilda B. Joiner all the effects both personal and real of which I die possessed after paying all my just debts during her natural life and further desire that my executor should keep my property together until my wife dies for the support of her and my two daughters Martha H. Joiner and Louisa H. Joiner Item Fourth I further desire and will that should either of my daughters Martha H. and Louisa H. Joiner or my son Bennett C. Joiner mary before the death of my wife that my executors give to them out of my effects the following property to wit one bed bedding and bedstead which each of them now claims as their own one cow and calf one heifer, yearling four head Sheep (Ewes) and twenty dollars each that amount in house keeping articles as they may desire and in case neither of them should Mary before the death of my wife I wish them to have the above property and..?.. of what I hereafter bequeath to them in this will. Item Fifth I give and bequeath after the death of my wife unto my executors in trust for my grand children Reason Bedingfield John W. Bedingfield Emily N. Bedingfield one hundred dollars to be equally divided between them and to be paid to them as follows to the boys as soon as they become of age and the girls as soon as she is maried or becomes of age. Item Sixth It is my further will and desire after the death of my wife that my negro girl A..?...and her issue be or their worth provided they cannot be divided without selling equally divided between my two daughters Martha H. and Louisa H. Joiner or their children. Item Seventh I give and bequeath unto my sons Seaborn B. W. and Bennett C. Joiner all the lands I own in Laurens County on the south side of Rocky Creek to be divided by a certain Branch which runs through the middle of said lands from South to North the lands on the East side of said Branch to belong to S. B. W. Joiner and those on the west side to B. C. Joiner I also give and bequeath to my son B. C. Joiner all the lands in Lauren County which I own, and which lies on the North side of said Rockey Creek It is also my desire that my sons give my wife her choice out of these lands for her to cultivate during her life time and not take them until after her death but are willing that each may cultivate. Item Eigth I give and bequeath unto my son B. C. Joiner one grey horse by the name of John and a saddle and Bridle which he now claims as his own. Item Ninth I give and bequeath unto my executors in trust for the sole use and benefit of my two daughters Sarah P. E. Woodard and Emily L. Coleman my negro girl Cynthia and her issue to be sold after the death of my wife and the proceeds equally divided between my said daughters and held by my executors in trust as aforesaid free from the control, and not subject to the debts of their present or any future husbands that they may have. ItemTenth Should at any future period either or both of my daughters S. P. E. Woodard and E. L. Coleman be so unfortunate as to actually require this money for their support it is my will and desire that the said trustee pay it out to them as they should see that their necessaties require it or otherwise hold in trust for their children. Item Eleventh Should any of my daughters die and leave any children it is my wish and desire that whatever property they leave be equally divided between my other children. Item Twefth The rest of my property both Personal and real whereever and whatever it may be I wish my executors to sell after the death of my wife. If it cannot be divided otherwise and divide it equally between my two sons S. B. W. and B. C. Joiner My daughters Martha H. and Louisa H. Joiner my daughter Matilda Bedingfield children S. P. E. Woodards children and E. L. Colemans children shear and shear alike. Item Thirteenth It is also my further wish and desire that all property bequeath to my daughters now married and not held by my executors in trust be held in trust for them by my executors and the income of said property paid over annually to them or their children^Òs lawfull guardians. Item Fourteenth I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved sons Seaborn B. W. and Bennett C. Joiner and my worthy friend George Carrell executors to this my last will and testament this March the Twenth in year of our lord Eighteen hundred and fifty one. Signed Bennett Joiner Before us: Jon Hall, Charles Knight, F. H. Rowe Transcribed by Helen Sharpe 21 October 1999 Turn1104@aol.com