Will Book A, pages 17-22, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Will of Vines Collier, 11 Sept 1795.
In the name of God amen, I being in a low state health but in my perfect senses and memory and ______ mind that all men has once to die.
First my ______ ______ when dead may be decently laid in the grave my soul to God who gave it.
Secondly, the Negro named Coleman to be at the disposal of my beloved wife during her natural life, then at her death to be left to be _______ _______ of said Negroes which of my five sons he desires to be his Master, he being first valued and the price equally divided amongst my the said sons the ___ he _____ _____ __ ___ other four up there parts in good trade?? ________ as the may be valued he bring allowed a reasonable time __ pay up.
Thirdly I will my wife all my household furniture, to dispose of it as she may think proper.
Thirdly I give to my son Isaac Collier one __(paper torn & missing)__ acres of land lying in the fork of the Boa__(paper torn & missing)__ between James green and myself (to wit) __(paper torn & missing)__ at a corner persimmon in the spring branc__(paper torn & missing)__ thence thence down the Branch to the fork, th_ __(paper torn & missing)__ up ______ greens Branch to the back line joining gr__(paper torn & missing)__ ______ on a ____ line as have as well ma__(paper torn & missing)__ strait line to the beginning for Complnres?? __(paper torn & missing)__ _______.
Fourthly I leave to my well beloved wife__(paper torn & missing)__ Salley Collier my land Negroes and __(paper torn & missing)__ kinds of __pothy that I pofefs?? desire__(paper torn & missing)__ __ dis __(paper torn & missing)__ but if she marrys o__(paper torn & missing)__ part __(paper torn & missing)__ my other ten Child__(paper torn & missing)__ __(paper torn & missing)__ Collier Cudbth __(paper torn & missing)__ Thomas __(paper torn & missing)__ Vines Co__(paper torn & missing)__ Robert C__(paper torn & missing)__ my wife __(paper torn & missing)__ marry __(paper torn & missing)__ to be Epus??__(paper torn & missing)__ ?evided I am __(paper torn & missing)__ love?? mentioned on by a Chil__(paper torn & missing)__ and last of all appoint my so__(paper torn & missing)__ Issac Collier and Salley Collier my__(paper torn & missing)__ Executrix of this my last will and tes__(paper torn & missing)__w_____?
Whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of September one thousand seven hundred and ninety five ----------------
Recorded December 11th Day 1795 (seal)
Matt Rainey, R.C.O.C.
December the 11th Day 1795 I hereby confirm and acknowledge that I refuse to act as Executor for Estate the named in the Will of Vines Co__(paper torn & missing)__ decd on Monday the 7th of this Instant Certify __(paper torn & missing)__ me at office this 11th Day of December, 1795.
Transcribed by Ellis Bateman, 23 Oct 1998.
NOTE: The heirs signed an agreement, which is also recorded with the will, to settle the estate according to the terms of the will. Signers were: Salley Collier, John Collier, John Hardaman (on behalf of his wife Ann Collier Hardaman), Thomas Dunn (on behalf of his wife Betty Collier Dunn), Isaac Collier, Cuthbert Collier, and Thomas Collier. Statement was witnessed by Charles Dunn.
Other sources that have published the essence of Vines Collier's will are:
"Some Georgia County Records, Vol. 2,", by The Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr., 1977, page 144: Shows specific bequests to daughters Betsy Dunn and Ann Hardiman, and son Isaac Collier. It also lists his wife Sally and the following ten children of Vines Collier as named in his will of 1795: Thomas, Cuthbert, Vines, Robert, [John, Polly and Sally, William] [much of this is torn].
"Oglethorpe County Abstracted and Compiled" by Sarah Quinn Smith (Mrs. Edgar L.), 1962, page 2: Shows specific bequests to daughters Betty Dunn and Ann Hardiman, and son Isaac Collier. It also lists his wife Sally and the following ten children of Vines Collier as named in his will of 1795: Thomas, John, Cuthbert, William, Vines, Robert, Polly and Sally.
"The Georgia Genealogist County Records", Oglethorpe County Estates 1794-1821, Will Books A & B 1793-1826, pages 2-3: Shows specific bequests to daughters Betsey Dunn and A-n Hardaman, and son Isaac Collier. It also lists his wife Salley and the following ten children of Vines Collier as named in his will of 1795: Thomas, John, Cuthbert, William, Vines, Robert, Polly and Sally, Betsey, and Ann.
"The History of Oglethorpe County, Georgia", by Mrs. Florrie Carter Smith, July, 1970, page 287: Shows specific bequests to daughters Bety Dunn and Ann Hardaman, and son Isaac Collier. It also lists his wife Salley and the following ten children of Vines Collier as named in his will of 1795: Thomas, John, Cudbeth, William, Vines, Benjamin, Williamson, Robert, Polley and Salley.
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Will Book 7, pages 22-24, Jasper County, Georgia Will of John Collier, 30 December 1824
Ordinary Office Jasper County
Georgia
Jasper County
In the name of God amen, I John Collier of the county and state aforesaid, being advanced in years, and life being uncertain, think it proper to make this my last will and Testament.
1st. I give unto my wife Leah Collier a negro boy named Calomane, a negro man named Gilbert, one _?_ hundred and fifty dollars to purchase her a horse, one cow and calf and any property that belonged to her at the time of our intermarrying-
2nd. I lend unto my wife Leah Collier, the house wherein I now live, with the plantation & a sufficent quantity of the kitchen or cooking utensils, a negro man named Harry, a negro woman named Caroline, a negro girl named Rachel and a negro boy named Isaac two horses, the stock of cattle & that opeas?? said cast?? the stock of hogs, the household furniture, or as much thereof as might be supposed to be sufficient for house keeping, with my present crop of corn & wheat and bacon or so long as my four children, to wit, Thomas W. Collier, William L. Collier, Martha Collier, and Benjamin F. Collier, or either of them should continue to live with my said wife; or the whole of them should marry, or my said wife should continue to live with them, on the said plantation & in case my wife should continue to live a widow, in case of failure of my wife on her part, and the four children on their part, or in case of death of my wife as mentioned above, thus it is my will that this section be null and void, and the property named in this section, be divided amongst my children, as will be pointed?? out in an after section-
3rd. I give unto my four children namely Thomas W. Collier, William L. Collier, Martha Collier, & Benjamin F. Collier One hundred and ten dollars, and them an equal share of the balance of my estate, in case my estate should pay a note that I was security for my son Charly P. Collier for forty five dollars or thereabouts, given to John Hill of Montecello, should it not be the case, I give unto my son Charly P. Collier forty dollars and an equal share of the balance of my estate-
4th. The balance of my estate after paying my just debts and the property mentioned in the suans?? sections, when that section should become null and void, be equally divided between my eight children, to wit Jack Collier, Vines Collier, Robert Collier, Charly P. Collier, Thomas W. Collier, William L. Collier, Martha Collier and Benjamin F. Collier, it is further my desire, that if my daughter Martha Collier should marry before a division should take place that she receive a negro girl, named Zimlay, to be valued and that amount taken out of her legacy-
5th. I do hereby appoint my wife Laeh Collier, Thomas W. Collier & William L. Collier as Ecers. and Ecors. To this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 30th day of December 1824. Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of
Stokely Morgan John Collier (seal)
William Evans
Henry Burdett
Georgia
Jasper County
Court of Ordinary March Term 1825
Personally came unto open court Stokely Morgan and Henry Burdett, two of the subscribing witnesses to the within will, who being duly sworn dofage?? and say that they were present and saw John Collier sign and seal the within will & acknowledge that it was his last will and testament, and that he was at that time of sound and dyporasy? mind and memory, and they further say that they saw William Evans sign with themselves- Sworn to Teacky? er?th? in open court 7th March 1825.
Regestered 30th April 1825
P. C. Gibson. CCO
Note: Inventory of estate recorded in Will Book 7, pages 24-29, with estate appraised at $4837.00
Will transcribed by Ellis Bateman, 23 Oct 1998.