Will of Nathaniel Bridges, 1809, Oglethorpe CO. GA Submitted by Anne S. Wise Will of Nathaniel Bridges Oglethorpe County,Georgia Will Book B; Folios 35, 36 & 37 In the name of God Amen. I, Nathaniel Bridges, of the State of Georgia and County of Oglethorpe, being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God therefore, calling into mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men sure to die, do on this second day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and nine, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. That is to say principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul to God, who gave it, and for my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and ----- manner at the discretion of my executors. Nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection, I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as to such worldly estate wherewith it pleased God to bless me in this life, I give the same and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First, it is my will and I do order that in the first place all my just debts be paid as well as all my funeral charges be satisfied. Secondly, I do will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ritter Bridges my Negroe man named Ben, one bed and furniture, one horse and saddle, two cows and calves to be hers during her natural life and at her disposal at her death to whomsoever she may think proper. Thirdly, I do will and bequeath unto my son Wiley Jones Bridges one Negroe boy named Gabriel together with all the other property which he hath heretofore had of me and is now in possession of. Fourthly I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Esther Bridges one Negroe girl by the name of Julia? together with all her increase. Fifthly, I do will and bequeath unto my son Darrell D. Bridges, one Negroe boy named ------ together with all the property which he hath heretofore received of me and now stands possessed of. Sixthly, I do will and bequeath unto my daughter, Julia Hitchcock, one Negroe Girl by the name of Viney together with all other property heretofore given her by me and now stands possessed of. Seventhly, I do will and bequeath unto my son Killis Crawford Bridges the Plantation on which I now live together with the other lands I now own adjoining the same to be his and his heirs forever after the death or marriage of my wife Ritter Bridges, until which time the aforesaid land and premises shall be hers for her support and sustenance. Eighthly, I do further will and bequeath unto my aforesaid son Killis Crawford Bridges one Negroe boy named Coleman Together with one bed and furniture. Ninthly, I do will and bequeath unto my daughter Ritter Jones Bridges, one Negroe Girl by the name of Sarah and one Negroe boy by the name of Tilman, together with one bed and furniture. Tenthly, I do will and bequeath unto my daughter Polly Crawford Bridges one Negroe boy by the name of Amos? together with one bed and furniture. Eleventh , I do will and bequeath unto my daughter Patsey Bennett Bridges, one Negroe boy by the name of Martin and one Negroe girl by the name of Dicy together with one bed and furniture. Twelfth, I do furhter will and bequeath unto my beloved wife during her natural life or until her marriage one negroe woman named Miney and that on whichever of the aforesaid circumstances may first happen the said Negroe Woman Miney together with all her increase to become the right and property of equal proportions of my three daughters to wit Esther Bridges, Julia Bridges, and Polly Bridges. Thirteenth, I do will and order the two tracts of land which I drew in the late land lottery, one lying in third Randolph known by number two hundred anad two and sixteenth Baldwin, the other lying in Jones County known by no. 32 in tenth Baldwin be sold by my executor to the best advantages and the money arising from the sales thereof to being applied to the payment of my debts and if any --- to be so disposed of as my executor may think most beneficial and advantageous for my family. fourteenth, I do further will and order that my two Negroes James and Leah be and continue in the possession of my wife Ritter Bridges, during her natural life or widowhood, and then to be sold or disposed of as that they shall be equally divided between my three sons to wit Wiley Jones Bridges, Darrell D. Bridges, and Killis Crawford Bridges. Fifteenth, I do also will and ordain that all the balance of my property or estate not heretofore mentioned or herein bequeathed of any kind of species, whatever be and continue in the possession of my wife Ritter Bridges during her natural life or widowhood, then whichever of those circumstances may first take place, all the said undisposed of property to be sold and equally divided among my children. Lastly, I do hereby constitute, ordain and appoint my beloved wife Ritter Bridges, Executrice and Wiley Jones Bridges and William Montford Stokes executors of this my last will and testatment and do hereby forsake and disannull all former wills and testaments by me heretofore made, Ratifying and confirming this and this only to be my last will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Nathaniel Bridges as his Last Will and Testament Nathaniel {his mark R} Bridges In the presence of : Jno. Luckie James Bridges Bery T. or Y. or J. Bridges Georgia -- Oglethorpe Court of Ordinary July term 1809 the within will was proved by John Luckie one of the within witnesses and ordered to be recorded, certified by on the 7th July 1809 Mat Raine C.C.O. 40 ==================================================================== 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Anne S. Wise ====================================================================