Sumter District
South Carolina
I, William Dobein James, do make this my lastwill and testament. I will that all my just debts be paid as the lawdirects. Considering the expensive education I have given my sonsWilliam and John and that they are provided for by the will of theiruncle William Ford to whom had he died intestate his sister, my latebeloved wife, would have been sole heir. I cannot, in justice to mytwo other children, give my said two sons an equal share of my estatewith them.
My Plantation the Farm of 1309 acres and thestock of horses, mules, wagon and ploughs, I devise to my sonsWilliam and John and their heirs to be equally divided between them. But it is to be understood that the said Farm and the crop of cottonstanding thereon at my death are to be encumbered with the whole ofmy debts.
To my beloved daughter, Sarah Jane, I leave myplace Brookland and the lands annexed to it being about 140 acresuntil her marriage or death. After either of those events the saidplace is to be sold for the benefit of my son George and his heirs. To my said beloved daughter I leave my carriage and pair of horses myhousehold and kitchen furniture except two beds and furniture which Ileave to John and George.
To my son William, I leave my Negro manDave.
To my son John I leave my Mulatto carpenter Sam. They have their wives and I do not wish them to be separated.
To my beloved daughter, Sarah Jane, I leave hermaid Harriett or Venus the daughter of Hercules at her choice.
To George I give Angus the son of Rose.
The residue of my personal property I leave to beequally divided between my beloved daughter, Sarah Jane, and son,George.
I appoint my sons, William and John, Executors andmy beloved daughter, Sarah Jane, Executrix of this my last will andrevoke all other wills.
Witness my hand this 25th day of September1827
Wm. D. James [Seal]
Witnesses
Irby Singleton
Thomas W Sanders
W. H. Bracey
1st Codicil
I republish this my last will and testament withthe interelineation of Dave instead of Charles 2 p 20th line. Shouldmy sons William and John be unwilling or unable to take the Farmburdened with my debts, my will is that the same be sold for paymentof said debts. I appoint my friend, Dr. Wm W Anderson, executor anddaughter, Sarah Jane, executrix of this my last will andtestament.
Wm D. James
14th October 1829
Witnesses
John O. Heriot
B. Hood
B. Williams
2nd Codicil
I republish the above will and codicil and add asfollows as in making out my accounts against the Esq. Wm Ford thatesq. Is likely to become much indebted to me. Therefore, my will isthat to whatever amount it may become interested that the same beequally divided between my sons John and George and daughter, SarahJane. I appoint my friend, Dr. Wm W. Anderson,
Son, John, and daughter, Sarah Jane, Executors andExecutrix of this my last will and testament.
Wm D. James
14th October 1829
Witnesses
John O. Heriot
B. Hood
B. Williams
3rd Codicil
I direct that my above will and codicil may beadded to or revoked as follows: I revoke the legacy of Dave to myson William and leave to his son and grandson Francis Marion James aNegro girl Lucy, daughter of old Hercules. To my grandson, VictorWilliam, I leave a girl Juno also daughter of old HerculesÉÉ.to themand their heirs &endash;
My Plantation called the Farm &endash; I direct tobe sold for the payment of my debts &endash; if any balance of moneyshould remain &endash; I direct the same to be equally dividedbetween my daughter, Jane, and son, George, and vested in bank stockor bonds with good security as my executors may think best.
I appoint my friends Thomas Ford, John Potts, DrWilliam W. Anderson, Executors and my daughter, Sarah Jane, Executrixof this my last will and testament.
In witness of which I hereunto set my hand this13th day of March 1830.
Wm. D. James
Witnesses
John O. Heriot
B. Hood
B. Williams
Recorded Will Book D-1, Page 217
Recorded July 21st 1830
William Potts, Ordy
Bundle 50 Package 13