Georgia, Putnam County, Last Will & Testament of Zacheus Butler, Presented in Court, 5 March 1838 ======================================================================= 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: Janice Turner janicebt@knology.net Larry R. Butler ======================================================================= Georgia, Putnam County, We, Alexander Reed, Maria Butler, and John H. Gatewood, in order to preserve that harmony among the legaties of Zacheus Butler deceased which we feel it our duty to preserve and to formulate the wishes of the deceased as indicated in his last will and testament hereby covenant and agree with Massey R. Butler widow of the deceased that the real estate of said deceased shall be retained and managed for the benefit of his family and heirs according to the request of his will as fully and effectively as if said Will had been signed and delivered in the presence of the requisite number of witnesses. Witness our hands and seals this day off 1838 signed sealed delivered in presence of us. David S. Terrell, Alexander Reid R. H. Ward, J.P. Maria Butler John H. Gatewood Massey R. Butler I Zacheus Butler of the County Putnam and state of Georgia being a sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament. It is my Will that all past debts that may be against me at the time of my death be paid. That my executors dispose of any part of my property for that purpose they might think best provided they find it necessary. That the estate then left both real and personal be kept together for the support of my wife and children and educating my children in such manner as my executors might think best according to their circumstances. As my children marry or become of lawful age my executors will give them such part of my estate as they may think them equitably entitled to. In case of the death or intermarriage of my wife whichever circumstance may first happen that my estate be equally divided among my children and wife, in case of her intermarriage or in case of her death before marriage between my surviving children , Share and share alike either by sale or division or both as my executors might think best and in case of sale, my executors are hereby empowered to make titles to my property by them sold for the purposes above named. This will not only to embrace the children we now have but all we may hereafter have. Lastly I appoint my wife Massey R. Butler executrix ,my friend Edmund Reid, my nephew William R. Terrell and my son John and David Butler executors to the will. In testimony of the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal. This _____ day of 1832 signed sealed and acknowledged by the testatees as his last will and testimony in the presence of ___________________ Monday the fifth of March 1838 the foregoing will of Zacheus Butler deceased being without the signatures of the deceased and without witnesses was produced in open court and proven to be the will of said deceased by William Turner, Edmund Reed and Samuel Grafton from their knowledge of the handwriting of the said Zacheus Butler deceased W. B. Carter CCO.