Will of John Ryals 17 Jul 1862 Montgomery County, GA State of Georgia County of Montgomery In the name of God, Amen. I, John B. Ryals of said state and county deem it right and proper both as respect my family and myself that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind providence has blessed me, do therefore make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others heretofore made by me. Item 1st I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition in life without any unnecesary expense. Item 2nd I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executors hereinafter appointed, as I am unwilling that my creditors should be delayed in their right especially as there is no necessity for delay. Item 3rd I give bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Francis H. Ryals the tract of land on which I live with all the improvements thereon or in any way appertaining or belonging including the Gin, Ginhouse and screen with all the cotton seed from this years crop and my half of a Sugar Mill owned jointly by me and Martin T. Massie, also my Negro man Essex about forty two years old and my Negro girl Caroline about eighteen years old, also my two mules known as Puss and Nell, and all that part of my stock of cattle known as my swamp stock and all my stock of hogs of every description and kind, and all my house hold and kitchen furniture of every description and kind whatsoever except three Beds, Bedsteads and Furniture, also my carriage and harness and best horse cart, and all my flock of geese and one fourth part of my farming utensils, that is plows, hoes, and axes, and all her portion of her father’s estate, Five Hundred and twenty five dollars which I wish to be used and disposed of as directed in the old mans will all without reserve or limitation. The bequests made to my wife are in lieu of her whole dower. Item 4th I give bequeath and devise to my beloved son Bryan H. Ryals one feather bed, bed stead and furniture. Item 5th I give bequeath and devise to my beloved daughter Mary Ryals one feather bed, bed stead and furniture. Item 6th I give bequeath and devise to my beloved son Henry C. Ryals one feather bed, bed stead and furniture. Item 7th The residue of my property both real and personal whatsoever and wherever it may be, I give bequeath and devise to my children including the one my wife is now going with to wit: William R. Ryals, John J. Ryals, Joseph M. Ryals, Eliza Clements, Wilson R. Ryals, Bryan H. Ryals, James C. Ryals, Mariah Gray, Edith McLendon, Mary Ryals, Henry C. Ryals, Sarah Elizabeth Ryals, Thomas F. Ryals, Frances J. Ryals, Albert L. Ryals, Georgia H. Ryals, Ann Eliza V. Ryals, and the one my wife is going with as named above, each sharing equal and alike, it not being my wish to make any difference among my children in the division of my estate. This being the case, I direct that in the division that those children who have left me may be in possession of from my estate, except three beds and furniture, shall be taken in. Item 8th I direct that my Executors see to the support of my family for twelve months from my estate. Item 9th I hereby constitute and appoint my beloved son William R. Ryals and my worthy friend and relative Thomas B. Calhoun Executors of this my last will and testament. This 17th day of July 1862. John B. Ryals, Legal Seal Signed, sealed declared and published by John B. Ryals as his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers who subscribed our names hereto in the presence of said testator at his special instance and request and of each other. July the 17th 1862. W. Warren Conner Daniel D. Wall Alexander McGregor William D.W.C. Conner Montgomery Court of Ordinary, July Term 1863. The will of John B. Ryals being produced in open court for probate by the executors, who have filed their petition to prove the same, and the witnesses to said will, William D.W.C. Conner, Daniel D. Wall, and Alexander McGregor, having subscribed the following affidavit endorsed on said will, July Term 1863 Montgomery Court of Ordinary, came into open court at the regular term of the court, William D.W.C. Conner, Daniel D. Wall, and Alexander McGregor and being duly sworn depose that they saw John B. Ryals sign and publish the within as his last will and testament while of sound and disposing mind, that they witnessed the same for him at his request and in his presence and of each other and that the same was executed voluntarily by him on the day it purports to have been executed. Sworn to and subscribed in open court, July Term 1863. James G. Conner, Ordinary William D.W.C. Conner Daniel D. Wall Alexander McGregor And also in like manner at the said July term of the said court of ordinary appeared William D.W.C. Conner and Daniel D. Wall who having been sworn depose that they saw John B. Ryals sign and publish the within codicil to his last will and testament while of sound and disposing mind, that the witnessed the same for him at his request and in his presence and of each other and that the same was executed voluntarily by him on the day it purports to have been executed and that Wilson W. Conner and William R. Ryals signed with them as witnesses to said codicil. Sworn to and subscribed in open court, July term 1863. James G. Conner, Ordinary Daniel D. Wall William D.W. Conner Codicil to the last will of John B. Ryals Item 1st The Negro Girl Caroline given to my wife in the third item of my will having had a child since I made and signed said will, and it being my wish that said child should not be parted from its mother, I do therefore give and bequeath said child to my wife together with my young horse two years old known as Sams Colt. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty third day of March 1863. John B. Ryals, Legal Seal ==================================================================== 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. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. 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