Last Will of Sarah Branch I Sarah Branch of the County of Madison and State of Mississippi _________ the uncertainity of life and being sound in mind ___ and ___ do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say First - My will and desire is that my executors hereafter named pay all my just debts out of the proceeds from all the growing crop of every description together with such other property as I ___ which is not otherwise disposed of. Second - I will and bequeath to my son James C. Branch all my real estate situated in Madison County Mississippi containing two hundred and eighty acres more or less being the same on which I now reside together together with all the appurtances or fixtures thereunto belonging. Also the following Negro slaves, viz. Patrick, Matilda, Hanace, Caroline, Ellich, and Anana together with my stock of cattle and hogs, three bedsteads, duck bedding to be selected by himself. All my table wall and kitchen furniture, Also one mule to be selected by himself to him and his heirs forever. Third - I will to my grandchildren Lucy, Sallie, Maggie, Mary Lizie and William Henry jointly children of my deceased daughter Margaret Henry the following Negros, viz. Harry, Martha, Manah, Emily and Caty - said Negros to be kept and used by John M. Henry their father, for their maintenance and education until they respectively arrive at age or marry at which time each of them are to draw their distributisse share of said Negros and their increase. Fourth - I will and bequeath to my grand children William, Sallie, and Margaret Branch, children of my deceased son William H. Branch the following Negros viz. Rob, Clarrisa, Liza and Marton, to them their Negros forever. Fifth - I will to my grand daughter Lucy Henry my gold watch in addition to what I have left her family. Sixth - I hereby constitute and appoint my son James C. Branch and John M. Henry my executors granting them full power to carry out this my last will and testament and request that they shall not be required to give bond or exchange and commissions. In testamony I set my hand and affix my seal Oct 21, 1859. /s/ Sarah Branch This will of Mrs. Sarah Branch was signed in our presence James H. Galloway Alex H. Dinkins I. A. Crain In the matter of a certain paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Sarah Branch deceased. Be it remembered that a certain paper writing dated October 21st, 1859 and witnessed by James H. Galloway and Alex H. Dinkins and I. A. Crain and purporting to be the last will and testament of Sarah Branch deceased and they ____ ____ in open court by Jas. G. P______ to be _____ to Probate ____ Whereupon Alex H. Dinkins and I. A. Crain two of said subscribing witnesses being present in open court whereupon duly sworn and testified to the execution of said paper writing. And the said Jas. H. Galloway the other subscribing witness not being present it was ordered that the application be continued until tomorrow. In the matter of a certain paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Sarah Branch, deceased. Be it remembered that Jas. Branch and John M. Henry having filed in this Court at the present time a certain paper writing dated the 2nd Oct 1859 and attested by J. H. Galloway, A. H. Dinkins & I. A. Crain, purporting to be the last will and testament of Sarah Branch deceased and having made application for the Probate thereof and on the 9th day of the present month and first day of this term of the Court personally appeared in open court A. H. Dinkins and I. A. Crain who being duly sworn on oath stated that said Sarah Branch at the time of her death was a resident citizen of Madison County more than twenty-one years of age and a ___ sole that on the said 21st day of October AD 1859 said Sarah Branch signed sealed published and declared said testament dated and attested as afore said to be as said for her last will and testament in the presence of each and all of said witnesses and that they each of them signed said testament in the presence of each other and of the other subscribing witnesses that at the time of signing sealing &tc of said instrument said Sarah Branch then twenty-one years of age and on this day personally appeared in open court the said James H. Galloway who being duly sworn stated on oath that he saw the said Sarah Branch on the said 21st day of Oct 1859 sign seal publish and declare said instrument dated as aforesaid as her last will and testament and that he the ____ signed the said instrument at the request of said Sarah Branch deceased and in the presence of the other said attesting witnesses. Thereupon the ___ being considered the court doth order adjudge and decree that said paper dated and attested as aforesaid be & the same is truly established as the true original last will and testament of Sarah Branch deceased and that the same be recorded and admitted to Probate. And it is further ordered that letters testamentory be granted to John M. Henry & Jas. Branch the executors named in the will on their taking the oath subscribed by law without bond or security the same being disposed with by the provisions of the will. It is further ordered that A. H. Dinkins, W. F. Walker, Lewis Finley and Jas. H. Galloway be and are hereby appointed to appraise the personal property belonging to said deceased. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Tony Abruscato ====================================================================