Will of John Semmes 18 Feb 1854 Wilkes County, GA

Georgia, Wilkes County}  I John Semmes of said county do make and 
ordain the following to be my last will and testament.

Item 1st  I wish all my just debts to be paid.

Item 2nd  I wish my estate to be held & enjoyed by my wife during her 
life of widowhood to be used in the manner herein specified.  I desire
her to have the control of the property in as ample a manner as I would 
have if I was living so as to sell or dispose of it & reinvest as she 
may think proper having a full confidence in her desire to manage it for 
the best.  When my children become of age or marry I leave it in her 
discretion whether or not to give off any portion of property to them 
and how much.  In case of her marriage I wish my estate to be divided 
between her my said wife and my children then living or having children 
to wit, one part to my wife and one part to each living child and one 
part to the children of my deceased child.  At the death of my wife I 
wish my estate to be divided between my children then living, or deceased
having children as above provided.  My wife may in her discretion give 
off to my children at any time such portion or portions as she may think 
proper.  And the estate subject to division shall be the residence 
thereof at the time of division.

Item 3rd  In case of the death of either of my children I desire the 
share which would have accrued to him or her if living to go as above 
provided not subject to his or her debts, and I desire all the property 
passing to my daughter Mary F. Semmes under this will or set off to her 
by my wife under this will to be her sole & separate property not 
subject to the debts or marital rights of a husband who proves on the 
part of a trustee who may be chosen by herself if she desires it and __ 
fills by herself by and with her consent to sell or otherwise dispose 
of such property holding the proceeds subject to the same trusts. 
 
Item 4th  I do hereby appoint my wife Lucy S. Semmes executrix of this 
my last will and testament.  And in case of her death during the 
minority of my children or either of them request my friend Samuel 
Barnett to execute this my last will and act as guardian of such 
child or children.  	

	/s/ John Semmes

Signed sealed and published as his last will and testament by the 
testator John Semmes in our presence who signed in his presence & of 
each other this 18th day of February 1854

/s/ R. H. Vickers, P. [or J.] W. Barnett, Lewis S. Broom

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