Pickens-Gilmer County GaArchives Wills.....Norton, Thomas September 3 1874 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Katrinka Norton k1norton@adelphia.net October 24, 2004, 9:27 am Source: Record Room, Pickens County Courthouse Written: September 3 1874 State of Georgia In the name of God Amen Pickens County I Thomas Norton of said state and county being of advanced age but of sound disposing mind and memory, knowing that I must shortly depart this life deem it right and proper, both as respects my family and myself, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me. I do therefore make this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking and annulling all others by me heretofore made. Item First I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent Christian like manner, suitable to my circumstances and condition in life. My soul I trust shall return to rest with God who gave it as I hope for salvation, through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whose religion I have professed for thirty-five years and I trust enjoyed. Item Second I desire and direct that my executor herein after named and appointed pay all my just debts without unnecessary delay. Item Third I give bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Margaret with whom I have lived in peace for Forty seven years all of my real estate, to wit lots of land number (308) Three hundred and eight (309)Three hundred and nine, and (310) Three hundred and ten in the Twelfth district and second section of said county also numbers (217) Two hundred and seventeen, and (252) Two hundred and fifty two in the fifth district and section of said county. There being about one hundred acres of Nos of 308 & 309, and each of the other lots 160 acres more or less all being marked by metes and bounds, for and during her natural life or widowhood. I also give and bequeath to my wife Margaret, all of my stock of sheep and hogs, and choice of my cows and calves, she to select the one she wants. Also one horse or mule, she to select the one she wants. Also all of my farming and mechanical tools, and household and kitchen furniture of every description, for and during her natural life and widowhood. The lands named in this item to my wife to fully controle, rent and enjoy the profits for the time given but not to sell. The personal property she may swamp (swap?), exchange, sell or do as she may think proper with. I also give and desire to my wife all money, notes or accounts that I die seized (?) and possessed of, with growing crops and provisions on hand. Item 4 I desire and direct that at my wife’s death or marriage that the two parts of lots number (308) Three hundred and eight and Three hundred and nine (309) in the twelfth district and second section being one hundred acres more or less together with all the farming and mechanical tools shall go to and vest in my son, Samuel M Norton, and I hereby give and bequeath the land and tools named in this item to my son Samuel M Norton at my wife’s death without limitation or restriction. And I desire and direct that at my said wife’s death or marriage the other three lots to wit (310)Three hundred and ten in the 12th district 2nd and 217 and 252 in the 5th district 2nd section go to and be equally divided in kind or by sale as they may agree between my daughters to wit Susannah A Pendley, Lucinda C Lambert, and Sarah E Neal. The property willed in this item to my daughters is to them free from the debts or other liabilities of their present or future husbands. And the personal property of my wife whatever of it that may remain on hand at my wife’s death that has not been disposed of by her shall be equally divided amongst my children named above. Item Fifth I desire and direct that my executor herein after named shall sell the horses, oxens, wagons, cows, and property of every description that I die seized and possessed of, that is not otherwise disposed of in this will, either at public or private sale and after paying all expenses of the estate equally divide the balance amongst my children to wit Samuel M, Susannah A., Lucinda , & Sarah E of the proceeds of the sale. Item Sixth I desire and direct that should any my children die before my wife that their children shall receive the portion willed their parent. Item Seventh I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Samuel M Norton executor of this my last will and Testament. Witness my hand and seal this 3rd day of September 1874 His Thomas X Norton Mark Signed, sealed, declared, and published by Thomas Norton as his last will and testament in the presence of us who will subscribe (?) our names as witnesses in the presence of said Testator at his special instance (?) and request and in the presence of each other this 3rd day of September 1874. The words ‘district and section’ on second page first space from bottom, ‘in the 5th dist and 3rd section’ on ninth space, and ‘sell’ in 21st space from top on third page, and the word ‘executor’ in fifth space on fourth page all interlined (?) before signed. W A Sissons (?) M M Sissons (?) A F Shipman File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/pickens/wills/wl512norton.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb