In the name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Regan, of the County of Pulaski and the State of Georgia, being very low in body but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be to god for the same calling to mind the mortality body and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of the Almighty that give it me and mine body. I recommend to the earth to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of my friends and as vouching such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with in this life. I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First of all I request that my mare and colt and bridle and saddle I give to my wife Elizabeth Regan Extra of her equal part this Joseph Regan do request her to have that life time or widowhood but and if she marry again then an equal division with the two sons in the land and negros household and kitchen furniture one negro named bise {the first letter is difficult to read} and Anthony and Nell and Simon, and the land that I now live on in the County of Pulaski none by the number 88 one hundred and a quarter acres if the said Elizabeth Regan marry again then equal division between her and my sons John Regan and Span Regan and I do hereby ordain and appoint Elizabeth S. Regan executrix to carry this my last will into effect and I do hereby utterly revoke and disannul all and every other former will and testament by me in anywise before name will and bequeathed.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of December One thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Signed sealed pronounced and delivered by the said Joseph Regan as his last will and testament in the presents of
Winchard Dawson /s/ Joseph Regan (seal)
Sarah Dawson
William Smith
The number 88 refers to the land lot number. As found on a map prepared by researcher, Dennis Bryant, Joseph Regan resided on or owned land lot 88 in Pulaski County. This was Land District 22. Lots adjacent to Joseph Regan's lot 88 were those of Needham Bryan and Daniel Ragan. Nearby were Land Lots drawn by Elias Bryan, Moses Bryan, John Bryan, and William Bryan. Also noted in the same district were the surnames Barrs, Lassiter, Smith, and Trippe.
One of Elizabeth Regan Bryan's granddaughters, Terrell Little Bryan Biggs, recalled a slave named Granie Balse who brought her "into this world" during the Civil War. Could "one negro named bise" be the same Granie Balse described by Terrell?
Georgia State Flower, the Cherokee Rose, from Juelie's State Flower Garden of Gifs
Background from
