Item 2^nd  I direct that all my just debts be paid by my Executors hereinafter named as Soon as it can be done consistently with the interest of my Estate; and for the purpose of doing So, I hereby authorize then to Sell property (if it should become necessary to Sell) either publicly or privately, as they may deem best, and without obtaining an order, or giving the notice required by law; and to compromise, or arrange any debt owing by me, or to me, as in their discretion they may think proper, So as to avoid, as far as possible, the expenses of litigation.

   Item 3^rd  To my beloved wife, Matilda A. Meriwether, I give and devise the House and Lots whereon I live in the town of Monticello, containing Eighteen Acres more or less, and including the Academy Lot, also, a Lot of Land in the neighborhood of Monticello, containing two hundred two and a half acres more or less, C the Same being No 16 C  and adjoining Lands of A. J. Talmadge, George T. Bartlett, Russel J. Brown, and others. C with all the rights, members, and appurtenances, to Said Lands, in any manner belonging, free from all charge or limitation whatever, to her own proper use, benefit and behoof, forever; with full power to dispose of the Same, by with or otherwise, as She may deem proper, I also, give unto my beloved wife in the Same unreserved manner, one good horse or Mule to be Selected by her, C one good one horse wagon, C the carriage and Buggy, and all my household and kitchen furniture.

Item 4^th  I give and devise unto my Son Charles M. Meriwether, two Lots of Land, containing four hundred and five acres more or less, C the same being part of the Rivers purchase, and adjoining Lands belonging to the Estate of William Tuggle on the west, Louis W. Pou on the north, John Bogan on the East and myself on the South; with all the rights members and appurtenances to the Same belonging, forever in fee simple,  Also, one good horse, and cattle and Hogs, amounting in value, to like property, which I have advanced to my Son Thomas Meriwether,  Said Charles M. Meriwether to receive Said property into possession, when he arrives at the age of twenty one, without interest, or profits thereof. 

Item 5^th  To my Daughters, Sallie B. (,) Lousianna, and Lucy M. Meriwether, I give, each, the Sum of fourteen hundred and twenty five Dollars, to be paid them, by my Executors, as they arrive at the age of twenty one, or marry, either in money, or property, as they may choose; To have and hold the Same, to their Sole and Separate use, free and exempt from the debts and liabilities of their husbands, Should they marry. 

Item 6^th  It is my will and desire, that my Son, David Meriwether, receive out of my Estate, Cattle (he having already rec^d property amounting to in value to thirteen hundred and twenty dollars) amounting in value to, to Seventy five Dollars, to make him equal to what I have advanced my Son Thomas. 

Item 7^th  Having advanced to my Son Thomas Meriwether, property to the value of fourteen hundred and twenty five dollars, and disiring (sic) that my children herein named Should have an equal distribution of my property, I direct that the others be made equal to him, that is, that they receive the sum of fourteen hundred and twenty five dollars in money or property, as heretofore provided, (My Son David to account for property he has received to the value of thirteen hundred and twenty dollars,) before my Said Son Thomas Shall receive any thing further from my Estate. 

Item 8^th  It is my will that my property be kept together, or Sold, as my executors may think proper, but in no event, are the legacies herein given, to my children, to be paid until provision is made for a comfortable annual Support, for my Said wife, over and above the legacies herein given to her, and I desire further, that my Said Daughters Shall also, as their mother, be Supported annually, out of my Estate, until they receive their legacies,  Said legacies to bear no interest until paid  provided my Said daughters are supported, as directed above. 

Item 9^th  The Provisions made herein for Said wife for an annual Support, Shall preclude her from claiming the twelve months, Support allowed widows under the Statue,  and the Lands devised to her, are expressly in lieu of Dower. 

Item 10^th It is my will, that my minor children, Charles M. and Lucy M. be educated, as my older children have been, at the expense of my Estate, and not to be charged to them. 

Item 11^th After the payment of the legacies herein given, the payment of debts &c, if any property Should remain, it is my will that the Same be equally divided among my Six children to wit, David, Thomas, Charles M.(,) Sallie B.(,) Lousianna, and Lucy M.(,) Share and Share alike, the Same being for the Sole and Separate use of my Said Daughters. 

Item 12^th I hereby nominate and appoint my wife Matilda A. Meriwether, and my Sons George F. and David Meriwether, Executrix, and Executors of this my last Will and testament, and direct, that they may dispense with the trouble and expense of taking inventory and making returns,  And further, appoint my Said wife Matilda A. Meriwether, Guardian of my minor children,  and that She take the Guardianship without being required to give bond & Security. 

Item 13^th I desire my executors, in the distribution, to Sell the property in Such manner as they may think best, or divide in kind, if prefered (sic) by the legatee

The words “to my children@ and “have been@ interlined before Signing.

David Meriwether Sr..   (Seal)

Signed, Sealed, declared and published by David Meriwether Sr. as his last Will and Testament, in the presence of the undersigned, who Subscribed our names hereto, in the presence of the testator, at his Special instance and request, and in the presence of each other.

This December 14^th 1866.                               W. R. Berner

J. W. Burney

W^m. A. Lofton

Jasper Court of Ordinary,

Adjourned Term, Febuy 17^th 1867.

The last Will and Testament, of David Meriwether Sr. deceased, having been produced for probate in common form, and two of the witnesses to Said Will being present, to wit; John W. Burney and William A. Lofton, who being Sworn deposeth (copy did not include bottom of the page)