Will of Richard Briggs, Marshall Co., MS
 
Submitted by Dixie Briggs <Dixchas@aol.com>

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Marshall Co. M
Will Book #3 page 448

Will of Richard Briggs

In the name of God Amen I Richard Briggs of Marshall County and the state of 
Miss. Being in good health and of sound disposing mind and memory do dispose
of my worldly matters as follows.  Viz.  with what I have already given my 
daughter Elizabeth A. who has intermarried with John R. James* give her two 
negroes now in their pofesfion at Memphis.  Viz. Fanny, a girl and Watson (?) a 
boy which I consider their full share of my estate the balance of my property 
real and personal I give in the care and possession of my wife Rodah S. Briggs 
whom I appoint Executrix of my estate and I request and direct her to divide it 
as follows:  Viz. when my Son Thomas F. Briggs arrive at the age of Twenty two 
years I give him one seventh part of my negroes in value if him and my Executrix 
can agree on the division well, and if not I direct two persons mutualoy chosen 
with them make the divide and when its made it is final. When my son Samuel J. 
Briggs arrive at twenty two years of age he receive the one sixth part of my 
negros in value to be ascertained as above. When my son Isaac C. Briggs arrives 
at the age of twenty two years he receive one fifth part of my negroes in value 
to be laid off as above.  When my daughter Rhoda V. Briggs arrive at the age of 
twenty years she receive one fourth part of my negros in value to be laid off as 
above….When my son Richard T. Briggs arrive at the age of Twenty two years he 
receive one third part of my negros in value to be ascertained as above…When my 
son William D. Briggs arrive at the age of Twenty two years he receive one half 
of my negroes to be ascertained as above.  That part of my negroes remaining 
belong to my wife together with my land with other property during her life.  I 
direct at her death it all be sold and the money arising from the sale to be 
divided among my six last named children.  Vis Thomas F., Samuel J., Isaac C., 
Rodah V., Richard T. and William D. Briggs and I direct my surviving Executor to 
sell my land at the death of my wife at public sale one sixth to be laid down 
one sixth in one year, one sixth in two years and so on till the six annual 
installments are made, and to divide the proceeds among my six last above named 
children, the oldest taking the first payment the next oldest the second 
installment and on until each child receives one. My Extrs. Will use prudence to 
hold the title of the land or take unquestionable security for those payments 
before he will convey the land.  And should my wife in her own good judgment 
wish to alter or change her way of living she is at liberty to make the above 
divide of my property when she sees proper, and should my wife die before the 
youngest child arrives of full age I direct my Executor to make the sales and 
divisions before set forth, the sae as though my wife had lived to make them, to 
have a guardian appointed for those under age and their respective shares placed 
in the hands of their respective guardians.  And last I appoint Maxwell Wilson 
my neighbor and friend to afsist my wife as my Executor in the distribution of 
my property herein set forth.
I have no former will and I pronounce this and none other my last will and 
Testament and I hereby publish it such.
Given under my hand & Seal this twentieth day of January AD 1843.

Signed, Sealed and declared the last will & Testament of Richard Briggs in 
presence of
D. B. Daly
[unreadable name]

*This is taken from the Court Records.  This name is clearly copied as John R. 
James however several other records all show his correct name to be John R. 
Jones.