Will of Joseph Ryals 06 May 1858 Montgomery County, GA State of Georgia Montgomery County In the name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Ryals, of said state and county, being of advanced age but of sound and disposing mind and memory deem it right and proper, both as it respects my family and myself to make a disposition of the property with which a kind providence has blessed me I therefore, do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all wills heretofore by me at any time made. Item 1st: I devise and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner without great show or unnecessary expense. My spirit I trust will return to God who gave it. Item 2nd: I devise and direct that all my just debts be paid by my executors herein after named in the manner herein after pointed out. Item 3rd: I give bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Lucy Ann with whom I have lived in the strictest quiet and love for thirty-six years, the lot of land including the house and premises where I now live, known as the Dempsey Wood Tract, containing seven hundred acres more or less. Also one other lot known as the Frederick Frances Tract including the Dead River Island, containing two hundred eighty seven and a half acres more or less with all the rights amenities and appurtenances to said lots of land in any wise appertaining or belonging, free from all charge or limitation whatsoever to her own proper use benefit and keeping during her natural life and then to her children in the manner herein after mentioned. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife in the same manner all the farming utensils laid upon and belonging to my plantation of every description whatever, and my Bay mare (Kate), and our other farm horse and all my stock cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats, geese and poultry, all my household and kitchen furniture and my Buggy and my horse cart. Item 4th: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife for and during her natural life my Negro man Allen about thirty nine years old, my Negro man Philip about sixty years old, and my Negro woman Hetty about forty years old, and at the death of my beloved wife to be divided among all her children in the manner herein after pointed out. Item 5th: All the property both real and personal given my beloved wife and specified in item 3 and 4 of the above at her death I hereby direct to be sold by my Executors herein after named and the proceeds arising from such sale to be divided equally among all my children, share and share alike, subject to such restrictions and limitations as are herein after imposed. Item 6th: I devise and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Harriet G. Cuttnoch, wife of Cason A. Cuttnoch and to her child or children by her present or any future husband free from the debts or disposition of her husband or any future husband my Negro woman Penny about twenty one years old. Also one lot of land known as the Hardy Wood Tract whereon my daughter Harriet now lives containing three hundred and thirty eight acres more or less with all the rights amenities and appurtenances to said lot of land in any wise appertaining or belonging free from all charge or limitation whatsoever during her natural life then to her child or children. I further give and bequeath to my Daughter Harriet an equal portion with my other children of the property left to my beloved wife during her natural life to be distributed at her death as provided in item 5th of the above the same to be subject to the like restrictions and limitations as are provided in the foregoing part of this item for the above property given my daughter. Item 7th: I give and bequeath to my beloved son James G. Ryals my Negro boy Frank about nineteen years of age to him and his heirs forever. Also two government land warrants the one for forty acres the other for one hundred and twenty acres, or the land upon which they may be laid forever in fee simple. I further give and bequeath to my son James an equal portion with my other children of the property given my beloved wife to be distributed at her death as provided in Item 5th. Item 8th: I give and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Elizabeth S. Morris, wife of John Morris, my Negro woman Jane about seventeen years of age and her child Jincy about six months old, together with an equal portion with my other children of the property given my beloved wife to be distributed as provided in item 5th of the above to her during her natural life free from the disposition of her present or any future husband and then to be equally divided among all her children. Item 9th: I devise and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Ann E. Swain (widow) my Negro boy Henry about fifteen years old. Also three fourths of a lot of land known as the John Douglas land lying on the Oconee River and including what is called the foard shoals on said River containing one hundred and seventy five acres more or less. Also an equal portion with my other children of the property given my beloved wife to be distributed as provided in item 5 of the above to her own proper use benefit and behoof during her natural life free from the disposition of any future husband she may have and then to be equally divided among all her children. Item 10: I devise and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Mary C. Rambo wife of Dr. John Rambo my Negro boy Billy about thirteen years old. Also a lot of land known as the Mill tract containing one hundred acres more or less adjoining the Bells ferry Land on the South and land of John A. Morris on the north with all the rights members and appurtenances thereto appertaining or belonging Except the Mill Seat and its privilidges, Mill House, Mill Rack, Gin and all the appurtenances thereto belonging. Also an equal portion with my other children of the property given my beloved wife to be distributed as provided in Item 5 of the above to her own proper use benefit and behoof during her natural life free from the disposition of her present or any future husband and then to her child or children. Item 11th: I give bequeath and devise to my beloved Daughter Josephine L. McLeod wife of George T. McLeod my Negro girl Hannah about nine years of age. Also a tract of land known as the Willcox Tract surveyed under headright and containing six hundred acres more or less bounded on the north by land of John B. Ryals and south by land of Thomas B. Conner with all the rights amenities and appurtenances thereto appertaining or belonging. Also an equal portion with my other children of the property given my beloved wife to be distributed as provided in Item 5 of the above to her own proper use benefit and behoof during her natural life free from the disposition of her present or any future husband and then to her children. Item 12th: I devise and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Lucy Joanne my Negro boy Bob about seven years of age and my Negro boy Charles about four years of age. Also a tract of land lying on William’s Creek containing six hundred acres more or less surveyed by headright for my father William Ryals and with all the rights amenities and appurtenances therewith appertaining and belonging. Also an equal portion with my other children of the property given my beloved with to be distributed as provided in Item 5 of the above to her own proper use benefit and behoof during her natural life free from the disposition of any future husband she may have and should she die having faird a child or children then to such child or children. But should she die without issue, then to be divided equally among her brothers and sisters. Item 13: I devise and direct that the remainder of my property both real and personal not otherwise heretofore disposed of of what kind whatsoever it may be be sold by my Executors hereinafter named and that the proceeds arising from such sale thereof be applied to the payment of my just debts. But should the money arising from such sale be insufficient to pay all the demands against my Estate, I hereby direct that all the negroes belonging to my said Estate be hired out for the term of one year and that in such contingency my beloved wife be supplied with at least one years provisions. Should there be any overpluss arising from the sale and hiring herein provided for after the payment of all my just debts I devise and direct that such overpluss be divided equally among all my children including my beloved wife Lucy Ann. Item 14th: I hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife Lucy Ann, Executrix and my beloved son James G. Ryals Executor of this my land will and testament. In witness whereof, I the said Joseph Ryals have to this my will consisting of the five and a half foregoing pages set my hand and seal this the 6th day of May 1858. Joseph Ryals (Legal Seal) Signed, sealed published and dictated by the above named Joseph Ryals as his last will and testament in presence of us, who at his request, in presence of testator and in presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto. William D.W.C. Conner W. Warren Conner James C. Conner Jas. C. Ryals Georgia Montgomery County Before me came James C. Ryals and W. Warren Conner at chambers on the 9th Sept 1859 for the purpose of proving the last will and testament of Joseph Ryals. They being subscribing witnesses to said will and the said will having been brought before that time before me for probate by the Executors Lucy A. Ryals and James G. Ryals. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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