Will: Banister Wells, Caddo Par., Louisiana
Submitted by: Tony Abruscato <sueskay@pacbell.net>
Date: Jan. 1999


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Will of Banister Wells

     __ ___ in Open Court 19th May, 1849.  Jno. M. Lewis Clerk
In the name of God Amen,
     I Banister Wells of the State of Mississippi and the County of Madison
being now 
of a sound and disposing mind do will and bequeath unto my wife Mary Wells all
of the 
right and title which I have to the following property, to wit, the tract of
land on which I 
live in Madison County containing one thousand and twenty acres more or less. 
Also a 
tract of land lying and being in Scott County on Slouold (sic) Creek
containing four 
hundred and eighty acres more or less.  Also a tract of land lying and being
in Leake 
County on the east side of Bolovita Creek containing five hundred and sixty
acres more 
or less. Also a tract of land lying and being in Leake County on the west side
of the 
Bolovita Creek containing sixteen hundred and eighty acres more or less. Also
a tract of 
land lying and being in Leake County on the Sumiash (?) Creek containing one
hundred 
and sixty acres more or less. Also a tract of land lying and being in Leake
County on the 
east side of Yacanookang (?) Creek containing eight hundred and eighty acres
more or 
less.  Also all of my slaves, to wit, Isaac and Betsey and all of their
increase.  Also Lotty 
and all of her increase.  Also Washington and Daphne and all of their
increase.  Also 
Patience and all of her increase.  Also Minny and all of her increase. Also
Caroline and 
all of her increase.  Also Jacob, Phillis and Emiline.  Also all the other
slaves that is (sic) 
not mentioned in this last will and testament to which I have any right or
title in equity or 
laws.  Also all of my stock of horses and mules, also all of my stock of
cattle, hogs and 
goats.  Also all of my household and kitchen furniture.  Also all of my
farming utensils of 
every description and all other species of thing not mentioned in my last will
and 
testament.

Item.  It is my will and desire that my wife Mary Wells be the administrator
on my estate 
and carry on the farm as before (unless she should wish to do otherwise), and
no security 
shall be required of her.

     In testimony of which I have set my hand and seal to this declaration or
will in a 
Christian County this 7th of October, 1845.  /s/ Banister Wells

Test. Wm. J. Dulaney, S. C. Gillespie

__ __ - done in Open Court May 19th, 1849; endorsed John M. Lewis, clerk
Filed May 18th, 1849, John M. Lewis, clerk

And afterward, to wit, on the 14th day of February AD 1837 was endorsed by his
honor 
Roland Jones, Judge of 17th Judicial District in and for the Parish of Caddo
and State of 
Louisiana a final judgement.  In said parish Missus Mary Wells as plaintiff
and J. W. 
Hardwick et al as defendant. No. 1874 on Docket of our said court in __ and __
following 
to wit, 1874 Mary Wells vs. J. W. Hardwick et al.  In this cause by means of
the __ and 
evidence from the plaintiff Mary Wells and by means of the will presented to
the court.  
Being duly proven it is ordered by the court that said will be registered and
executed, and 
that said Mary Wells be declared universal legatee on to all the property in
the possession 
of said Banister Wells at the time of his death and described in the inventory
of his 
succession as in evidence in this cause, and that she have and recover said
property as 
agreement of the parties who appear in this suit as legal heirs of said
Banister Wells and 
from Joel W. Hardwick curator of said succession.  

That the said Mary Wells be put in possession of all said property of which
said Banister 
Wells died possessed and which was taken unto his succession , and that said
Hardwick, 
curator deliver up to her the same, upon his executing an agreement by law,
and that said 
Hardwick, curator within 30 days from the indenture of this judgement order
his account 
of his administration of said succession and that said plaintiff recover the
costs.  __ and 
signed in open court this 14th day of February 1837.        /s/ Roland Jones

*Follows: itemized  "Bill of Costs" and payment schedule.


Banister Wells - Caddo Parish,