Will of John Bradley
In the name of
God Amen. I, John Bradley being of
Sound and disposing mind and memory but calling to mind the uncertainty of like
and being desirous to dispose 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
and form following to wit--First I direct all my just debts and funeral
expenses to be paid.
Then, to my
daughter Elizabeth Long who has intermarried with John McLeod to her and her
lawful issue but not subject to her husbands debts. I give all my uplands on
the North side of Beach Creek (Excepting a small strip of land on the North
East corner of the plantation adjoining Sumters land) with fifty acres of swamp
land nearest adjoining---Also the following named Negroes namely-Peter and Cate
with their twelve children, Thomas, Emily, Cyrus, Nero (?), Tinah, Judy,
Epheains, Edmund, Merriman, Mariah, Henry Vina--Nora and her two children Becky
and Sevin--Affy and her two children Maddison and Harry--Rachael and Delia the
Nurse together with the future increase of the females.---also the furniture of
her bed room.---This together with the Sum of four thousand five hundred
dollars heretofore given to my daughter Elizabeth is to be considered as her
portion of my estate- it being understood that the above negroes are the same
which I have given to her by deed of Trust executed by me on the first day of
January of this present year, wherein John Junius Bradly is
Trustee.------------
Then my
daughter Margaret Issabella who has intermarried with Richard Harrison, I give
the following named Negroes viz Stephen Louisa and her Seven Children Caeser,
Sarah, Carter Binkey, Dolly, Susan.--Cessy and her seven children. Isaac, Abram, Amarit, Mary, Dinah, Temus,
Hagar---Nancy and her child grace--Rachel, and her three children Hester, Mary
ann, Isaac, Amelia and her two children Julia, Cato, ---Mary, Ned, Alexander,
Soloman, young Solomon, and Sue, together with the future increase of the
females and also the natural increase of the females if any, since the date of
a marriage Settlement made by the said Richard Harrison in relation to the
above named negroes.--------
Then to my
daughter Emma Theodosia I give the following named negroes viz. Betty and her
five children Anne, Jeffry, William, Casteno, Rose.---Frederick, Tenah and her
four children, Lucy, (and her child Jackson,) Nelson, Lavina Ferderick,
--Mariah and her child Issabel.---Tony Laura, Anthony, Cornelius, Doll, Oliver,
Old Phillis, Pompey, Moses, Yellow Ben, Alvira, Dick, Binah, Pollydore, Dave,
Jacob, together with the future increase of the
females------------------------------------------------------------------
Then to my
daughter Martha Ellen I give the following named Negroes, viz. Jose, Emil, and
her eight children, Tinah, (and her child Robertson,) Tom, Alfred, Anne, Lucy,
Lewis Jose, Louisa.---------------------
Tiller and her
two children Dick & Henry, Elsy & her four children Sam, Celia, Delia,
Tenah,--Judy, Elsy and her child Amy.---Nancy, (Webb) Adeline, Charlotte,
Johnny, Leven, Andrew, Simon, Daphney and my interest in John together with the
future increase of the females.---
Then to my son
John Junius I give viz Ancrum, Nelly and her child Caeser, Jim , Lucy, old
Jenny, Newry, Flora, and her Six children, Bob, Addison, Sylvia, Phillis,
Cinda, Cate, -- Nanny and her two Children, Eugenia, Sam, Hester and her two
children, Sydia, Jack, Emily and her five Children, Martha, Seymore, Latty,
Clara ann, Delia, -- Old John, Monday, Patty, Adam, Sharper, Black-Ben, Boson,
together with the future increase of the females--Also Jane Washington, and
Sary with their future increase---------------------------------------
Then to my son
Samuel James, I give the following named negroes, via, Thomas, Sary, and her
two children, Lucy, Cinna, --Ephaim, Abby, and her six children, Tobert,
Phillis, Peter, James, Cain, Epheaim, --Sally and her five children Henry, Jane
Handy, Tom, Darky, Merriman, Old Sylvia, Hose, Mariah, and her four children
Milly, Barney, Abram, Hampton, --Charlotte and her four children Mingo,
Buncomb, Clander, Henry.---Harriot, Old Sharper, Old Ben, Molly and her two
children, March and Patsey, together with the future increase of the
females.--Also to my son Samuel James, I give the "Cottage" tract so
called, to include about ten acres of land adjoining lately purchases of Cyrus
Morse.----------------------------
Then to my son
Moses Gordon I give the following named Negroes, viz Judy and her six children,
Centry, Randal, Molly, Benah, Tenah, Hannah, --Prince, Betty and her three
children, Eliza, Sarah, Ellen, Celia and her three children, Leah, Moses, Judy,
---Candies and her seven children, Molly, Amelia, Elay, Tandal, Ransom, Thomas,
Rosanah, ---Alfred, Susanah, William, Lizzy, Frederick, Josy Junior, Paul,
together with the future increase of the
females.---------------------------------
I also give to
my son Moses Gordon all my Black River Plantation with the appurtenances, all
the stock of Horses, Mules, Cattle, Hogs, Sheep and so forth on the plantation
with the stock of provisions on hand.
(the Cotton Crop on hand or growing to be excepted) to include the tools
and plantation tools to that place belonging Also a tract of land near
Sumterville ---all my right and interest in a house and lot in Sumterville
lately occupied by Doct James Haynsworth--A tract of land in Salem called the
"Harris" tract and an undivided interest in a small tract of land in
Darlingon owned jointly by Robert English and myself--Also subject to the
encumbrances herein after mentioned, I give to my son Moses Gordon my home
residence called, "Brookland"--with the lands thereto belonging
including the household and kitchen furniture.----------------------
To my
daughters Emma Theodosia, and Martha Ellen I give the use and improvement of my
house residence called "Brookland," with the land belonging thereto,
all the household and kitchen furniture of every description, all the
provisions and groceries of every kind on had, all the Stock of Cattle Horses,
Hogs and so forth belonging to the place -- Also my carriage and carriage
Horses.---The object of this bequest being to provide a home for my unmarried
daughters, it is my will and desire that the property included in this bequest
shall not be separated or divided, but inuse to their joint benefit or to the
survivor, or either of them remaining unmarried, and upon the death or marriage
of the last of them, to go over to my son Moses Gordon as before
provided.---------------
To my sons
John Junius and Samuel James I give all my Watteree planation with the
appurtenances thereunto belonging, with a reservation of what is herein before
given to my daughter Elizabeth, together with all the tools and farming
utensils thereon --All the stock of Horses, Mules, Cattle, Hogs, Sheep and
Soforth--all the provisions of every kind on hand, (the Cotton crop on hand or
growing to be excepted.)--All my interest in the Stateburg Bridge Company and
Stave Landing ferry--All the water powers of Beach Creek entire running through
the plantation to belong to this bequest.---All the Tan Yard establishment
including tools, stock of Hides Leather and Soforth, reserving sufficient
leather from the Tan Yard to shoe all my negroes once round. ---Furthermore it
is my will that in the division of this property between my sons John and
Samuel, the part of Samuel shall exceed in value the part of John in the sum of
two thousand dollars.-----------------
The cotton
crop on hand or growing with the debts due to me are to be appropriated to the
payment of my debts--the balance remaining if any, with any other property not
herein specifically given is to be divided equally among my children. Believing that a female who brings property
to her husband by marriage should be made secure in a future maintenance
against the casualties and misfortunes of life, so far as the property she brings
will ensure it, I recommend that my daughters, in case of marriage, should
procure a marriage settlement to be executed.----------------
My faithful
Negro Man Jack is to have his own time so far as consistent with the laws of
the State---He is not to be appraised when my estate is valued, and no further
services are to be required of him.-
I appoint my
sons John Junius, Samuel James, and Moses Gordon executors of this my last will
and testament, (the last named to be allowed to qualify when he shall attain to
lawful age,) In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand this sixth
day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty
nine in the presence of David F. Wyles, Benjamin Hood, Mary Ann Wyles, who have
signed their names in my presence and in the presence of each other as
Witnesses thereto the name "Jane" in the bequest to my son John
Junius on the third page of the first page-sheet being interlined before
signing.
John Bradley
David F.
Wyles.
BHood
M. A. Wyles
Codicil
I give to my
son John Junius, negro Boy Tom heretofore named in my bequest to my son
Samuel--And to my son Samuel I give negro boy Brutus purchased from the estate
of Marion Devaux since the execution of the foregoing
will----------------------
In
consideration of advances made to my son John Junius, and in the division of
the land, stock & soforth between my sons John & Samuel as herein
before provided for it is my will that the part of Samuel shall exceed in value
the part of my son John in the sum of three thousand dollars instead of two
thousand as herein before mentioned.
It is my will
that my son Moses Gordon shall have the proceeds of the tan yard, During the
present year from the date of this codicil instead of John & Samuel as
before mentioned with the exception of Negro Shoes leather in the fall, as
provided for.
In testimony
whereof I have hereto signed my name in the presence of D. F. Wyles, M.
Reynolds and W. W. B. James, who have signed their names as witnesses thereof
this twenty eighth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty nine.
John Bradley
D. F. Wyles
M. Reynolds
W W B James
(Recorded in
Will Book D 2 page 304)
(Recorded May
28th 1849)
W. Lewis Ordy.
Bundle 125
Pkge 2