GREENVILLE CO., SOUTH CAROLINA - Will of Thomas Crayton 1815 ************************************************ SCGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributor PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/sc/scfiles.htm Contributed to the SCGenWeb Archives by: Nancy Crayton 26 Nov 2003 ************************************************ Will of Thomas Crayton Recorded in Will Book B, Page #54 Filed in Apartment #2, File #87, Greenville County Courthouse, Greenville, SC In the name of God Amen, I THOMAS CRAYTON of Greenville District in the State of South Carolina being weak of body, but of perfect mind and disposing memory do make this my last Will & Testament. Imprimis. I desire to be buried in a decent Christian like burial as my Executors will direct. Item 1st. I give and bequeath unto my two children WILLIAM L. CRAYTON and ELIZA CRAYTON five Negroes, to wit, MIDDLETON, MILLY, CURTIS, ABB & HARRY, and the increase of said females to be equally divided between the said William L. and Eliza, when they or either of them shall come of age or marry, to be laid off as equally as can be, by two or more disinterested men to be chosen by them or their Guardians. But the said negroes are to be kept undivided until the said event of either of their coming of age or marrying; and remain in the power & possession of my wife MARY CRAYTON for the sole benefit of her and my said children so long as my Executors shall conceive they are properly and advantageously managed. Item 2nd. I give and bequeath unto my wife Mary Crayton, all my stock of Hogs, three of the choice of cows and calves, an Horse called blue skin, and as much of the Plantation tools, kitchen furniture and house hold furniture, and a sufficiency of the provisions on hand as she may judge necessary for the support of the Family and cultivation of the Plantation to raise and educate my said children upon which said property shall be for her and their sole benefit. Item 3rd. I authorize my Executors hereinafter named to procure titles to be made to a Tract of land of one hundred & some odd acres, lying on Hencoop Creek in Pendleton District, which I bought of AZLE D. HARRIS: the title to be made to THOMAS HAZE upon his complying with his contract with me, to pay one hundred & fifty dollars next Christmas -- and should the said Haze not comply with that contract, I authorize my Executors to sell the same to the best advantage, and procure title, to be made form said Harris to the purchaser. I also wish a tract of land lying on Hencoop Creek aforesaid, that belongs to me, sold by my Executors to the best advantage, the titles being in LUKE HANKS, supposed 150 acres. Item 4th. The Plantation whereon I lived in Pendleton on waters of Little River, I allot for my wife, Mary Crayton to live on to raise my children, but if she should think it too publick, I desire that my executors may rent it out and procure her a snug little farm where it may be more agreeable to her. Item 5th. I have a negro boy named WASHINGTON in the hands of the widow of HIRAM BIGGERSTAFF of Kentucky and a mare, saddle & bridle which were sent there to meet a debt due said Biggerstaff on several notes he took in of mine to the amount of three hundred & odd dollars. I am willing that said negro boy, mare & saddle should be held by the Estate of said Biggerstaff to balance the said debt, if however, the Executors of that estate decline this arrangement, I desire that my Executors sell the said property for the purpose of paying this debt &c Item 6th. I give and bequeath my Houses and lots at Greenville Courthouse to my two children William & Eliza, to be Leased or rented yearly as my Executors shall judge most advantageous; and those houses on the premises that are not completed to be finished under the superintendence of my executors. Item 7th. I desire that my executors may have the business of my store carried on at Greenville Courthouse to my interest until my brother SAMUEL CRAYTON’S time is up at Sherman & Co. at which time I desire that he may have first refusal of my stock of goods then on hand at first costs, without carriage, upon a credit of three years, with the privilege of keeping them in the sort house at Greenville, but would prefer his taking them to my plantation in Pendleton, where he can be of assistance to my wife & children. Item 8th. If either of my children should die before they come of age or marry, it is my will that the other shall have their share or part of my Estate. Item 9th. I desire that my wife Mary may have the use of my plantation in Pendleton before mentioned during her life or pleasure, and then to belong to my said children to be equally divided. Item 10th. All the rest and residue of my Estate not herein particularly named or disposed of, I desire to be sold, and the proceeds over an above paying my just debts, to be for the benefit of my said children - to be equally divided between them and my said wife Mary Crayton. I wish the business with JAMES DUNCANS Estate to be settled by my Executors with the Executors of that estate from papers which they will find in my possession &c. And lastly I do nominate constitute and appoint CONRAD HACKLEMAN, HEZEKIAH RICE, and ALEXANDER SLOAN, my Executors of this my last will and testament, with a request that Mr. Sloan will superintend my business in Greenville and the settlement of affairs with Duncans Estate. Hereby revoking all other former wills by me made & pronouncing, publishing and declaring this to be my last Will & Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name & affixed my seal this twenty ninth day of April one thousand Eight hundred and fifteen. (29 April 1815) Signed sealed published & pronounced as his last will and testament in presence of us JEREMIAH CLEVELAND Thomas Crayton (seal) HUGH ROBINSON JAMES ROBINSON Probated June 23rd, 1824 by Spartan Goodlett O.G.D. [End of transcription] NOTE FROM TRANSCRIBER: Thomas Crayton was a merchant in Greenville at that time, and in partnership with Alexander Sloan. I've capitalized names in the document in hopes other researchers might find something useful. Since it was such an early document, some of the places named are now located in Anderson County. Thomas Crayton did not die until 1824 and by then he had moved on to Augusta, GA and was preparing to move to McDonough, GA but was too ill. --Nancy Crayton