Paul Finley 1843

South Carolina
Laurens District}

In the name of God, Amen. I Paul FINLEY of the State and District aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, but weak in body, and calling to mind the uncertainty of life, and being desirous of disposing of all such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following, viz. 1st. It is my will and desire that I may be buried in a decent Christian like manner, and as soon after my death as may be convenient, all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid, out of any monies, notes, or accounts on hand or sales hereinafter directed to be made. 2ndly. I give unto my beloved wife Mary FINLEY, the plantation or tract of land on which I now live, it being the tract I purchased of my son Hampton FINLEY, my two negro girls, including any children said girl may have at the time of choosing. One years provisions, two horses, and as much of every other kind of stock, household and kitchen furniture, and plantation tools as she may deem necessary for her support to her during her natural life. And after her death to be disposed of as herein after directed. 3rdly. I give unto my daughter Margaret M. FINLEY two hundred and fifty dollars. To my daughters Nancy RANK, Anne COLEMAN, Lettice COLEMAN, and Jane HOULDETCH, two hundred dollars each. And I also give unto the children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth CARGIL two hundred dollars to be equally divided among them and to be paid over to them by my executor when they become of age to marry. But should any of said children die without issue, before receiving the legacies herein willed to them, then and in that case their respective shares to be equally divided among the survivors. 4thly. I give and bequeath to Sara WAITES daughter of Nancy ARNOLD deceased, three hundred dollars to her and her heirs forever. [illegible] all my estate both real and personal of whatever nature and quality so ever, not herein before disposed of, be immediately sold after my death by my executor. The land on a credit of one and two years, the personal property on a credit of one year, and (after paying the aforesaid legacies) the monies arising there from to be equally divided among all my children, share and share alike viz: John FINLEY, Hampton FINLEY, Nancy HANK, Anne COLEMAN, Lettice COLEMAN, Margaret M. FINLEY, Jane HOULDITCH, and the children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth CARGIL, the children receiving the distributant share their mother would have been entitled to if living, to them and their heirs forever. 6thly. It is further my will and desire that all the property real and personal, willed to my wife during her natural life, be immediately sold after her death by my executor on the same credits and to be disposed of in the same manner and to the same persons as above directed in clause fifth of the my will. Lastly, I constitute and appoint my son Hampton FINLEY, sole executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other and former wills be me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal. This 15th day of June, one thousand eight hundred and forty three. Interlineations [words added between lines] made before signed.

Paul FINLEY (seal)

In presence of
Larkin COLEMAN
F.G. FULLER
Alsey FULLER

Recorded in Will Book A, page 25. Bundle 92, package 10. Proven date September 12, 1843. Recorded date not available. J.W.D. WATTS, Ordy. Laurens County, Laurens District

Frances Terry Ingmire, compiler, Laurens County , South Carolina Will Book A & C, 1777-1809 (St. Louis, Mo.: F.T. Ingmire, c 1982) I:29-30