James and Lucy Snoddy Will, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mary Richard Nicks ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Missouri, Marshall MO In the name of God, amen. I, James Snoddy, being in perfect health and sound mind, and being desirous of making a disposition of my estate, real and personal, do make and publish this my last will and testament. hereby revoking all former wills. 1. I desire my executors, hereinafter mentioned, to pay all my just debts. 2. I give to my beloved wife Lucy Snoddy during her life the tract of land on which I live containing about eight hundred acres, also George and John (carpenters), Frank, Allen, Mary Ann and her child, William, Martha, and Mahala, 4 work horses, 2 yoke of oxen and cart, 10 sheep, 2 brood sows, 1 loom, 4 ploughs and gear, 2 big ploughs, 1 large _____ rake, 4 cows, 1 gig (this is a carriage), brad (?) and meat for one year, and all my household and kitchen furniture not otherwise disposed of. 3. I give to my friend John C. Snoddy in trust for the benefit of my granddaughter Lucy Frances Gaulding, Louisa and her two children, Mary Catherine and John Alfred and Amanda with their future increase, to be held in trust for the said Lucy Frances during her life time and then to her children. Should she die without a lawful child or children (the heirs of her body) then the same to revert to my estate to be equally divided between my four sons: Washington, John, Robert and George H. Snoddy. 4. I give to my daughter Frances five dollars and nothing more unless in the event of her becoming a widow and in indigent circumstances, then and in that case I hereby require that my four sons shall each pay her the sum of twenty-five dollars per annum during such widowhood for support. 5. I give to my son Washington three thousand dollars. 6. I give to my son John one half of my Rocky Creek land containing about seven hundred acres, to be cut off from the upper end thereof. I also give him one dozen chains, 1 bedstead and furniture, 6 sheep, 1 horse, 2 cows, 1 bible, 2 trunks, 4 split bottom chairs, and 1 gun. 7. I give to my son Robert the other portion of my Rocky Creek plantation being the lower end thereof and above referred to. Also, 1 dozen chains, 1 bed and furniture, 6 sheep, 1 horse, 2 cows, 1 bible, 1 gun, 2 trunks, and 4 split bottom chairs in my house. 8. I give to my son George Henry at the death of my wife, the tract of land on which I live containing about 800 acres: also one thousand dollars and a boy, Will, 2 custom (?) bedsteads, 1 ox cart, and all the table and kitchen furniture, straw cutter, and all the chains in the house, 1 rocking chair, 1 bed and furniture, 6 sheep, 1 horse, 2 cows, family bible, and testament and Watt’s hymns, 1 china press, clock, gun, large dressing glass, 2 trunks in the house, one horse wagon, brass kettle, loom, a set dining tables, 6 dishes, 2 dozen plates, 1 set china & tea _____, blue chest, 3 blue pitches and two red butter pots, the best wheat fan and a grindstone. 9. I give the balance of my estate, real and personal or mixed, to my four sons Washington, John, Robert, and George to be equally divided at my death. 10. I desire that my executors to sell my woman Milly. 11. Lastly, I hereby appoint my son Washington and my friends John C. Snoddy and Robert W. Snoddy executors to this my last will and testament. as witness my hand and seal this 8th day of February, 1845. James Snoddy Witness E. W. Simmons (?) William Snoddy John M. Toney Charles I. Toney Bezaliel (?) Brooks ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CODICIL to my will made this 26th (day of) October 1855. Since the foregoing will was written and the woman Amanda having died it is my will that Sil___ and Nancy Adaline, who have been born since and Betty Elizabeth also born since, shall not be given in trust to my granddaughter as mentioned in the foregoing will, but that the said three girls shall go to my estate and (be) divided to my four sons according to the 9th clause in my will. Instead of my wife having a gig, it is my wish that she shall have the carriage in its place and no other alteration in which I have given her in my will of 8 July 1845. James Snoddy Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Ed. W. Sims George W. Snoddy John H. Bradley W. C. Wood ------------------------------------------------------------------------ At a court held for Buckingham County on the 8th day of February 1858. This last will and testament of James Snoddy, deceased, was this day produced in open court and proved by the oaths of John M. Toney and Bezaliel Brooks, subscribing witnesses thereto, and at another day to wit: at a court held for said county March 8th, 1858, the Codicil amended to said will was partly proved by the oaths of W. A. Wood a subscribing witness thereto, and at another day to wit: at a court held for said county April 12, 1858, the said codicil was further and fully proven by the oaths of John H. Bradley, another subsribing witness thereto--thereupon the said... (I neglected to copy this last page.)