Tensas Parish Louisiana Newspaper Articles
Will of Mrs. Sarah Dorsey to Jefferson Davis
Extracted from the Tensas Gazette of December 25, 1936
Submitted by Edith Ziegler, FEB 2002

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Beauvoir, Harrison County, Mississippi       
January 4, 1878

I, Sarah Ann Dorsey of Tensas parish, Louisiana, being 
aware of the uncertainty of life and being now in sound 
health of mind and body, do make this my last will and 
testament, which I write, sign and seal with my own hand 
in the presence of three competent witnesses, as I possess 
property in the state of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, 
I owe no obligation of any sort whatsoever to any relative 
of my own.  I have done all I could for them during my life.  
I therefore give and bequeath all my property, real, personal 
and mixed, wherever located and situated, wholly and entirely 
without hindrance or qualification, to my most honored and 
esteemed friend, Jefferson Davis, ex-president of the Confederate 
States, for his own sole use and benefit in fee simple and I 
hereby constitute him my sole heir, executor and administrator.  
If Jefferson Davis should not survive me I give all that I have 
bequeathed to him, to his youngest daughter, Varina.
I do not intend to share in the ingratitude of my country toward 
the man who is in my eyes the highest and noblest in existence.
In testimony whereof I sign this will, written with my own hand, 
in the presence of W.T. Walthall, F.L. Hewes and John C. Craig, 
subscribing witnesses, resident in Harrison County Mississippi.

                  Signed    Sarah Ann Dorsey
                                  (Seal)

Submitters note: At the time of her death and for many years 
before Sarah Ann Dorsey owned Elkridge Plantation, Tensas Parish