Will of Hardin Runnels

State of Mississippi, Madison County}  In the name of God Amen I Hardin D. Runnels of 
the county and state aforesaid being sick in body but of sound and disposing mind and 
memory knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do by these presents 
make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, to wit.
1st.  I resign my body to the grave and my soul to Almighty God who gave it.

2nd. I wish all my just debts and contracts be paid.

3rd  I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha B. Runnels four Negroes such as she 
wishes selected out of my slaves.

4th  I give and bequeath unto my son Edmund S. Runnels the following Negroes, viz. 
Harry, Lace, and three children named Louisa, Rosa Ann and Henry; Lucinda and two 
children named Daniel and Gabriel; Washington, Ann and one child named Mahala; 
Frederick Craddock, Jim and Charles fifteen in number.

5th  I give and bequeath unto my son Hiram A. Runnels the following Negroes, viz. Juba, 
Lethe and two children named Cassandra and Elizabeth; Kete, Emaline and two children 
named Tabitha and Isaac; Buck, Malinda and one child named Lucy; Joe, Elizabeth and 
one child Jacob.  In case the woman Lethe given above who is now pregnant also has a 
child not to live until the 1st June next it is my wish that my son Hiram A. Runnels 
receive a Negro child in lieu thereof of the age of one to two years from amongst my 
slaves not otherwise disposed of.

5th  I give and bequeath unto my son Hardin R. Runnels fifteen Negroes when he shall 
arrive at the age of twenty one years or the sum value as near as can be of the two lots 
given to my sons Edmund S. and Hiram A. Runnels.

6th  I give and bequeath unto my son Norvell D. Runnels fifteen Negroes when he shall 
arrive at the age of twenty one years or the sum value as near as can be of the two lots 
given to my sons Edmund S. and Hiram A. Runnels.

7th  I give and bequeath unto my wife Martha B. Runnels eleven Negroes of the same 
value together with the four Negroes given heretofore as near as can be as the two lots 
given to my sons Edmund S. and Hiram A. Runnels during her natural life or 
widowhood.

8th  It is my wish and desire that the property not given away shall be kept together on 
the plantation where I now reside until my son Norvell W. Runnels shall arrive at the age 
of twenty one years unless by consent of all parties they agree to sell said lands.

10th  It is my wish and desire that William Porter in case he should go to Texas should 
have the use of my Negro girl now in Texas as a slave so long as said Negro shall live; 
also to have the use of all my tools in Texas of all kinds.

11th  It is my will that after all legacies have been given off and my debts paid the 
balance of my estate to be equally divided between my wife Martha B. Runnels and my 
four sons Edmund S., Hiram A., Hardin R. Runnels, Norvell W. Runnels.
I do hereby constitute and appoint ___ ___ as the sole executor and __ to select others a 
sufficient __ __ of this my last will and testament.  Given under my hand and seal this 
25th [?] day of June 1839.		/s/ H. D. Runnels

Witness:  __, __, James B. Slade


The State of Mississippi, Madison County} Probate Court __ Term 1839
In proof of __ James B. Slade one of the subscribing witnesses who said that he 
subscribed the will in the presence of the testator who subscribed the same in his 
presence and in the presence of all the witnesses to the same.  And the said Slade 
subscribed the same in the presence of the other witnesses who subscribed the same in his 
presence, and that the testator was of sound and disposing mind and in full possession of 
his __.  And the same is hereby admitted to record.	/s/ Thomas Shackleford, J.P.


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