The Will of William Brown
dated 12 September 1845

I William Brown Senior of the District of York and State of South Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make the following as my last will and testament in manner and form following...

I recommend my soul to God who gave it and that my body at my decease be buried in a decent christian like manner. I will and devise that all my just debst and funeral expenses be paid as I shall hereafter direct.

I will and devise unto my beloved wife Tabitha D. Brown the tract of land on which I now reside being the tract of land purchased of Samuel Curry and bounded by lands of John Brown William L. Brown James Thomasson Senr. and Jefferson Black the same to hold enjoy and occupy during her natural life, and at the decease of my said wife I will and devise said tract of land above described to my son Wm L. Brown to him and his heirs forever.

I also will and bequeath unto my son John Brown my negro man named Ben to him and his heirs forever.

I will and devise to my two sons John Brown and William L. Brown my plantation in York District situated on the waters of Bullocks Creek being the plantation purchased from Robert Brown deed to them and their heirs forever.

I will and bequeath unto my daughters Margaret E. Floyd Eliza D Duff Jane Glenn and Mary D. Brown each the sum of Ten dollars already having given them with the sum now left them that portion of my estate which I allow them.

I will and bequeath to my daughter Harriot A. Brown my negro girl named Miney to her and the heirs of her body forever and in case my said daughter should die with out issue I then allow the said negro girl Miney to go to my daughter Mary D. Brown to be hers and her heirs forever.

I also will and bequeath to my daughter Harriot D. Brown the sum of Ten dollars.

The remainder of my personal estate (including cash, bonds, notes and so forth and in one word everything of which I may die possessed not herein specifically bequeathed or devised) I order and direct the same to be applied to the payment of debts and funeral expenses and the legacies to Margaret E. Floyd Eliza D Duff Jane Glenn Mary D. Brown and Harriot A. Brown and remainder to be equally divided between my wife Tabitha D. Brown and my son William L. Brown and lastly I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my wife Tabitha D. Brown Executrix and my two sons John Brown and William D. Brown Executors of this my last will and testament hereby all former wills and testaments.

Signed sealed published and declared as and for the last will and testament of said testator in the presence of us who have signed as witnesses at the request of the testator and in his presence this 12th September 1845

J. A. Brown
Hane Neely                                                        William Brown (L. S.)
P.A. Thomasson 

Go to my page on William Brown. Also please see my will page for more wills.

For the sake of clarity I have inserted paragraphs at logical breaks in the text and put names in bold. This will was transcribed by someone else who seems to have corrected spelling and punctuation errors. The original loose will from which this was transcribed was found at the the Probate Court, York Count, South Carolina.