Estate of Nicholas Meriweather  [TMSI #4758]

Will Book 2 page 197
Box 60 Pack 1427.
Abbeville, S. C.

In the name of God Amen. I Nicholas Meriwether of the State of South Carolina and district of Abbeville,  being strong in body and sound of memory, but considering the uncertainty of death do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament this thirtieth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine. Feelings as I do the warmest paternal affection for all my children both Mary Ragland Meriwether and Sally Meriwether, daughters by Sarah Meriwether my first wife, and William Bickley Meriwether, John Lewis Meriwether, Evaline Meriwether, Nicholas Meriwether, and Charles Waller Meriwether by Mary Meriwether my second wife, I should deem it ungrateful in this last distribution of my estate to make any difference or distinction as to their several portions had not Mary Ragland Meriwether and Sally Meriwether already inherited by the Will of their Grand father estates equal if not superior to what I shall be able to give to the rest of my above mentioned children. And another consideration of equal weight, Mary Ragland and Sally have arrived at years of maturity while the rest of my children are yet infants, and considerable expenses must necessarily be incurred before they arrive at that age when they will be able to extend any benefit, to themselves. I hope then that I shall not be impeached for want of that tender and affectionate love which a parent ought to feel for his children; but that the present situation of my daughters Mary Ragland and Sally as to property their age and the young helpless and dependant State of the rest of children will amply plead for this my Will.

In the first place then I do will that all my just and existing debts be discharged by such sales of my property as my Executors shall think most proper. In the second place, that the balance of my property after my debts are paid both real and personal shall be and remain in the power and at
the disposal of Mary Meriwether my wife, for the joint use and benefit of her and my children namely William Bickley Meriwether, John Lewis Meriwether, Evaline Meriwether, Nicholas Meriwether, Charles Waller Meriwether; that my property above mentioned shall remain in this situation during the life of Mary my wife, should she not marry, but if she does she shall have out of my Negroes any seven which she may choose and the use of my lands during her life, which Negroes upon her death shall descend in fee simple to my last mentioned five children and all my lands shall descend in fee simple to my four sons above mentioned - upon my wifes marriage (should she marry after her choice aforesaid my personal property shall be vested immediately in fee simple in my children William Bickley John Lewis, Evaline, Nicholas and Charles Wallar subject to an equal division, should she not marry, all my personal property at her death shall be vested in fee simple in my children William Bick!
 ley John Lewis, Evaline, Nicholas and Charles Wallar to be equally divided between them.

My real property consisting of land, etc. shall belong to my four sons William Bickley John Lewis, Nicholas and Charles Wallar, in fee simple to be sold or divided as they or their guardians shall think best. To carry which into execution I do appoint my Wife Mary Meriwether Executrix and John Bickley Junior and John Scuddy Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year above mentioned. Signed sealed and delivered by Nicholas Meriwether as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us.                                               

                                                                                                           Nicholas Meriwether


Dated 30 Nov. 1809
Wit: Joseph Meriwether, Lewis Conner, Andrew Logan

The foregoing will was proven by the Oath of Mary Meriwether the Executrix who was present and saw it executed & she was qualified as Executrix thereof on the sixth day of February 1826 before Moses Taggart O.A.D.



We the undersigned appraisers appointed by Moses Taggart, Ord. to appraise the estate of Nicholas Meriweather deed. Dated 15 April 1831.
Signed: John Logan, Samuel Crawford, Joseph Foster, Robert Buchanan, Charles Neely.

Downs Calhoun applied for a letter of admr. on the estate of Nicholas Meriweather deed, dated 28 March 1831.
Letter published at Providence Church on the 3 April 1831.

Negroes named in the inventory, Paul, Thornton, Milley, Winston, Mary and child, Anne and two chn. John and Isaac, Winney, Jackson, Wesly, Albert.
Sale held 25-26 April 1831. Buyers, William Meriweather, John Anglin, William Buckhanan Senr. , Nicholas Meriweather, William Calhoun, Nathan Calhoun, Charles Neely, John Logan, John Irvin, Robert Buchannon, Samuel Crawford, Stanley Crews, Walter Anderson, William Leek, John Turner, Brackston Smith, James Franklin, James Patterson, Thos. B. Byrd, Richard Griffin, William Taggart, Thomas Smith, Francis Logan, Thomas Morgan, William Crawford, John W. Parker, John B. Davis, Jimison Millford, George Freeman, Robert Crawford, John Roman, William Oneal, David Stuart, M. T. Stuart, Wiley Watson, John Foster, Smith Roman, Joseph Foster, James Hearston, Thomas West.

In the paid out receipts, one paid for pailing in graveyard of Nicholas and Mary Meriweather.