Pike County GaArchives Wills.....Matthew B. Tolson July 11 1849 ************************************************ 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: William Russell dragonraj@comcast.net January 24, 2004, 6:55 pm Source: Pike County Probate Court Will Book C Written: July 11 1849 Recorded: March 11 1850 State of Georgia Pike County In the name of God Amen. I Matthew B. Tolson of said State and County being sick in body and in an ill state of health but of sound mind and memory and knowing that I must from the nature of my disease depart this life; I deem it both right and proper having no family - that I should make disposition of the property with which providence has blessed me, do therefore make this my last will and testament - hereby revoking all others heretofore made by me. 1st I desire and direct that in a decent and plain manner suitable to my circumstances and condition in life that my body be buried. 2nd I devise and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executors hereinafter appointed as I am unwilling my creditors should be delayed in their rights especially as there is no necessity for delay. 3rd I give and bequeath all my lands the title deeds of which are in my possession to Absalom Gray and William Phillips both of the County aforesaid and the residents of the city of Griffin also I further give and bequeath unto the said Gray and Phillips all my unsettled claims in Washington, Wilkes County in the lands of John Tyson of said place and for which I have no showing from said Tyson but two _?_ _?_ called as witnesses of the same also a claim that I have upon Adam B. Dulin(?) an unsettled balance for which I have no showing by note or otherwise to the best of my recollection not less than one hundred and sixty dollars. Also my wagon and two mules and harness - Also all other my notes and accounts and whatever cash I may now have or be in possession of being about one hundred dollars left in my coat pocket, also I will and bequeath unto the said Absalom Gray and William R. Phillips my Nigra boy Alford all every and each of which I desire that they the said Gray and Phillips on my decease may take into their possession at once - I further desire that all and every portion of the above named articles and property may be so used by them as far as possible and so far as may be consistent with the laws of Georgia for the use benefit and enjoyment of the above named Alford - and it is further my wish that they said Gray and Phillips allow the said boy Alford as much liberty and freedom in the use of the same and in the disposal of his own person as may not be inconsistent with the laws of Slavery in Georgia not intending to manumit the said boy Alford or desire any freedom or the use of any liberty for him in any manner whatever contrary to the laws of this State; but simply that he be allowed as much use of the above named property and as much freedom only as is consistent with the laws of Slavery in this State; by the said Gray and Phillips. 4th I hereby constitute and appoint as my Executors my worthy friends Absalom Gray and William R. Phillips of this my last will and Testament. 5th It is further my wish that my said Executors shall provide the best means in their power to secure the objects of this will so far as the boy Alford is concerned to him for and during his natural life or the term of his natural existence this the 11th day of July 1849. (By request P.B. Cox writes the name) Matthew B. Tolson Signed sealed declared and published by Matthew B. Tolson as his last will and Testament in the presence of us the Subscribers who subscribed our names hereto in the presence of said Testator and at his special instance and request and in the presence of each other - this the eleventh day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and forty nine. _?_ Pearce P.B. Cox F.G. Colson C.H. Smith S.W. Parham(?) Georgia Pike County We Felix G. Colson, _?_ Pearce, and Seth W. Parham(?) do solemnly swear that we saw Matthew B. Tolson sign (by P.B. Cox Esq. by request) publish and declare this writing to be and contain his will at the time thereof he was of sound disposing mind and memory and that he did it freely without compulsion to the best of our knowledge and that we saw P.B. Cox and C.W. Smith sign the same as witnesses. F.G. Colson Theo. Pearce S.W. Parham(?) Attest in open Court this the 4th day of March 1850 Wiley E. Mangham C.C.O. Georgia Pike County We Absalom Gray and William R. Phillips do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true last will and Testament of Matthew B. Tolson deceased so far as we know or believe and that we will well and truly execute the same by paying first the debts and then the legacies contained in said will as far as his goods and chattels will thereunto extend and the law charges me - and that we will make atrue and perfect inventory of all such goods and chattels so help us God. Absalom Gray Wm. R. Phillips Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 4th day of March 1850 Wiley E. Mangham C.C.O. Recorded this 11th March 1850 W.E. Mangham C.C.O. This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.5 Kb