Nathan Jackson 1854
1854, 27 October
Last Will and Testament of Nathan JACKSON
State of Georgia
Henry County
In the name of God Amen I Nathan JACKSON of the State and County aforesaid being of advanced age and sound mind, knowing that in the ordinary course of nature that I must shortly depart this life deem it right and proper both as it respects myself and my family that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me. I therefore make this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all others heretofore made by me.
Item the first - I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition. My Soul I trust will I trust return to rest with God who gave it as I hope for eternal salvation through the blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose religion I have professed as heavenly trust enjoyed for about thirty years.
Item Second - I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executors herein after named as I am unwilling my creditors should be delayed of their just rights.
Item the Third - I give and devise to my beloved wife Margarett with whom I have lived in the strictest quiet and Love forty nine years Lot of Land No (79) Seventy nine in the (8) Eighth dist of Henry County State aforesaid containing (125) one hundred and twenty five acres more or less about (45) Forty five of which are cleared and in cultivation with all the rights - members and appurtenances [duplicate phrase “members and appurtenances” crossed out] to said Lot of Land in any wise appertaining or belonging free from all charges or limitation whatever so long as she may live or during her widowhood and then to be divided among my children equally. I also give and bequeath unto my wife in the same unreserved manner the farming utensils used on and belonging to said plantation of every description whatever Also one horse such as she may choose among my stock of horses One cow and calf such as she may choose among my stock of Cattle. Two feather beds and covering. Meat sufficient for one years support - One sow and pigs such as she may choose among my stock of Hogs and all my household and kitchen furniture belonging to said plantation without reserve or Limitation
Item the Fourth - I give and bequeath to my beloved wife for and during her natural life or widowhood my negro woman Tamar and her son Anthony Tamar being about thirty years old and Anthony being about thirteen of years old
Item the Fifth - I give and bequeath to my three Grandsons the heirs of my son Jourdan JACKSON deceased the Eldest Jeptha JACKSON. Zachariah JACKSON and William JACKSON the sum of Fifty dollars each to come out of my Estate
Item the Sixth - I give and bequeath to my Grand children the heirs of my daughter Elizabeth HOLLINGSWORTH deceased to wit William HOLLINGSWORTH James HOLLINGSWORTH Margarett HOLLINGSWORTH and Marthena A Elizabeth HOLLINGSWORTH One share with the rest of my children to be equally divided among them
Item the Seventh - I give and bequeath at my death to my children that is now living the rest of my property - both real and personal wherever and whatever it may be to be divided among them Equally - the names of my children are as follows to wit James A. JACKSON - Thomas M JACKSON - Lewis A. JACKSON - William A. JACKSON - Jane JOURDAN - Sarah JACKSON and Marthena HAYS - and I further devise that the property that I leave to my wife at her death or expiration of her widowhood be equally divided among my children above named and also that the amount of property I leave Elizabeth HOLLINGSWORTH be left in the hands of my Executors for them to distribute as the children become of age
Item the Eighth - I hereby constitute and appoint my son-in-Law Warren T. JACKSON and my son Lewis A. JACKSON Executors to this my Last Will and Testament and trust they will do and faithfully performs all I desire In testimony of which I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal in the presence of witnesses this 27th day of October 1854
Nathan JACKSON {LS}
John BRYANSWilliam HOOTEN
James HILLSMAN J.I.C.
Georgia
Henry County
Courts of ordinary October term October 4 1858 In to open court this day came personally John Bryan and William Hooton two of the subscribing witnesses to the forgoing instrument who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that they saw Nathan Jackson sign seal and publish and declare the above instrument as his last will and testament freely voluntarily and of his own accord and without any restraint or influence whatever that at the time of execution of said last will and testament he was of sound disposing mind and memory that deponents signed said will as witnesses in the presence of testator and at his special instance and request and in the presence of each other and saw the other witness sign his name also in the presence of testator and these deponents
Sworn and subscribed before me in open court this October 4th 1858John Bryan
William Hooten
Q.R. Nolan, Ordy
Georgia
Henry County
Court of Ordinary October Term October 4th 1858
Into open court personally came Warren T. Jackson and Lewis A. Jackson the executors and propounded the last will and testament of Nathan Jackson for probate in common form who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that the within writing contains the true last will and testament of the within named Nathan Jackson so far as they know or believe and that they will well and truly execute the same by paying first his debts and then the legacies contained in said will as far as his goods chattels will thereunto extend and the law charge them and that they will make a true and perfect inventory of said goods and chattels
Sworn to in open court This October 4th 1858L.A. Jackson
Warren (his W mark) T. Jackson
Q.R. Nolan Ordy
Henry County, Georgia, Wills Vols. A-C 1834-1917, p. 262-265, Nathan Jackson will, 1854; FHL microfilm 175298; images online at Family Search (https://familysearch.org) accessed in "Georgia, Probate Records, 1742-1975," Henry County, Wills and Bonds, 1826-1952. Transcribed by Cindy Holdridge Smith, December 7, 2013.