John R. Dukes Will

(Typed by Lyn Betts from a copy of the Dec. 1824 handwritten original obtained from the Eutaw, Greene county, Alabama courthouse)

Source: Book A page 38 of the Alabama Green County Vol 1.

State of Alabama Greene County

In the name of God, Amen I John R. Duke of the state and county aforesaid make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, first, I give to my son John Duke my negro man Daniel & his heirs forever, I lend to my wife Cely the half quarter section of land on which I now live during her (the) natural life of my widow & then I give the same to my son Sabon and his heirs forever & all my household & kitchen furniture and all my stocking cattle & at her death to be equally divided among my five daughters Nancy Thompson, Cely Melton, Mary Write, Eliza Beard, & Jeney Duke and their heirs forever. I also give to my son Seborn one negro Namily (namely) Sal to be delivered to him when he arrives at age of twenty one by my executor I also give to my son Mastin one negro boy named Lee all & (One?) hundred and twenty dollars in money in (cash) with interest until he arrives at twenty one years of age. I also give to my son Frederick the half quarter section of land lying west of the one on where I now live & I also give my negro woman named Peg to the said son Frederick all of which shall be delivered to him by my executor with moneys arising if any there shall be when he is twenty one years of age. I also give (give) my youngest daughter Jane one negro girl named Harriet and one feather bed and one ____ ____ ____ and a calf to be given her by my executor when she is eighteen years of age and marries. I also (give) my daughter Mary Write one hundred dollars to be paid to her by my executors one year after my death. I also give my daughter Eliza Beard my tow horse at my death. I also give my two daughters Nancy Thompson & Cely Melton fifty dollars in money to be paid them by my executor one year after my death & also and all stock of horses, hogs, working (horses & plows?) to my wife Cely during her widowhood
(next sentence illegible at the bottom of page 1)

2nd page
and then give the same to be equally divided among my three youngest sons Sebon, Masten & Frederick.
I also hereby appoint my son John Duke my executor of this my last will & testament.
In witness whereof & hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 24th day December 1824.
his
John R. X Duke
mark
Published and signed and
declared in the presents
of as and in the last
will & testament of John R.
Duke, revoking all former
wills made by him.
James Derden
Thomas T. May
Wm. Meador

State of Alabama Greene County
Orphans Court Special Term
January 25th A.D. 1825
Personally came into open court James Derden, Thomas T.
May and William Meador, the three ascribing
witnesses to the foregoing will who made oath
that they saw John R. Duke sign seal & publish
the same to be his last wil & testament
and that they signed the same ascribing
witnesses in the presence of the testator and
in the presence of each other
Sworn to in open court and ordered to be
recorded the 25th January 1825
Attest Edw Herndon Clk