Will of Joseph Commander

In the name of God. Amen. I Joseph Commander Sn.r of the State of South Carolina, Sumter District Considering the uncertainty of this Mortal life, and being of Sound and perfect mind and memory blefsed be Almighty God for the Same, do make and publish this my last will, and Testament, first commend my Soul Unto god that gave it, and my Body to be decently buried by my family and friend and as to my worldly property that hath pleased almighty God to blefs me with, I give in the following manner (Namily)

First I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Elizabeth Commander Three Negroes (viz) Simon Hannah, and Binar, also a Horse, known by the Name of Farmer, and my riding chair, one cart, and three Cows and calves to be selected by herself, and the third part of my Stock of Sheep also two Feather Beds and furniture, and also all my kitchen furniture and Two hundred & fifty Bushels of Corn of this present crop, and ten good hogs for Bacon the ensuing year and two Sows & ten Shoats, and my Dwelling House, and as much of the plantation, as will be necefsary for her Support. during her natural life also not more than One hundred Dollars out the present Crop with the exception of that part of the crop that may be given off to either of the other heirs, and the above property or as much of it as there may, with the exception of the Houses and plantation, to be equally divided between my lawful heirs, at the death of my Wife. --- I give and bequeath unto my Son Robert Commander One field of Cotton, about Eight Acres Near the Mill, also one field of Corn of Sixteen Acres, also Three Cows, and calves, and three heifers, also the third part of my Stock of Sheep, and one half of the remaining Stock of Hogs after the Above is taken out, also One Horse, known by the Name of the black Snake, also one Feather Bed, and furniture. ‑‑- I give and bequeath Unto my Son Jerard Commander the remainder of my Stock of Hogs, and Sheep.---

I give and bequeath Unto my two Sons Jerard and Robert Commander all my plantation or tract of Land lying on the West side of Black River to be Equally divided between them; with the exception of a Tract known by the Name of Lewis Smiths tract, reserving to my Wife Elizabeth Commander the Houses, and as much of the Land, and privileges as she may want from Year to Year Untill death‑‑and the Smiths tract of Land so called, together with two Small tracts, One on Stony Run, binding on Joseph Commanders Jun.r Land, and One in the Crooks Swamp adjoining Jacob McLendons, tract of Land, I wish sold by my Executors either at public or private Sale as Their wisdom may direct, for the benefit of my heirs; and the residue of my property consisting of Negroes, Horse, and Cows, and the above mentioned Tracts, of Land, and what ever else is not Specified above, to be equally divided between my heirs, encluding My grand Children, the Children of Elizabeth McLendon, and Rebekah Commander drawing their Mothers part, equal With my other heirs, deducting however one hundred and Thirty Dollars from the children of my

Daughter Rebakah for the benefit of my other heirs, being an amount that their Father John Commander is due me, also I wish duducted from My Son Thomas Commanders part, Fifty Dollars as a considerable due me also for the benefit of my heirs and in case of the death of one or more of my grand children so named above, I wish the Surviving Brothers or Sisters to heir their portion, and not knowing but my Daughter in the Alibamma may be Dead Mrs. Elenor Clark I wish her Children to be provided for in the Same manner as my Daughters Mary, and Rebekah, Children as above and it is my wish & Will that the property left to my grand children Should be kept by my Executors so as not to be wasted or lost, they to have the benefit of Schooling and Clothing out of the Same but at the Same time I wish John Commander, and Calvin McLendon, my Sons-in‑Law to have the property in their hand for the benefit of their children unlefs My Executors see or believe the Same may be in danger of being wasted and the property left to my Grand Children to remain undevided untill they Marry or arrive at the Age of twenty one years. ---

Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint Joseph Commander Jun.r and Robert Commander, Executors to this my last will and Testament, and to pay my just debts and to collect all moneys due my Estate and see my Estate divided as above directed.-- I do hereby revoke and disannul any other Will or Wills, Acknowledging this to be my last will and testament. -- As witnefs my hand and Seal this Eighteenth day of August, one thousand Eight hundred and twenty nine.-

Joseph Commander (SEAL)

Signed in the presence of

Ripley Copland

James Baker Jnr

Aaron Baker

Recorded in Will Book D-1, pge 200

Recorded twelth day AD 1829

William Potts Ordy S.D.

Bundle 21, Pkge 7