WILL OF
DAVID PRESSLY
ANDERSON DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA
1834
Submitted
by Jerry Pressley
South Carolina: Anderson District:
In
the name of God amen
And
in the first place, I recommend
my body to the ground, to be buried in a Christian, decent manner, and my soul
I recommend to Almighty God who gave it, and my funeral expenses to be first
paid out of my estate, and the remainder of my estate I will and bequeath in
the following manner vis. that all my just debts be paid out of my estate.
In
the next place, I will and bequeath to my beloved daughters, Jane M &
Rachel M, to each of them a bed and furniture, a horse saddle and bridle, one
cow and a calf, these to place them on an equality with the rest of my
daughters, which they have already received.
In
the next place, I will to my beloved son James Pressly and Alexander E.
Pressly, each twenty dollars, to be paid to them at the time of the
distribution of my estate, which will make them equal with my other children,
by reason of what I have already given them.
And
next, I will and bequeath, that daughter-in-law Elizabeth Pressly, wife of
James Pressly, shall have the command of, and be supported on the plantation
whereon she now lives, during her natural life, and at her death said
plantation and tract of land, be equally divided in quantity and quality
between David A Pressly and William A Pressly, sons of James Pressly .
In
the next place, I will and bequeath that my grandsons, who are called for me
viz. to David P Porter, son of
Charles B Porter, to David P Porter, son of Richard M Porter, to David W
Pressly son of Alexander E Pressly, to David W Pressly son of David Pressly
Jun., and my namesake David, son of Lauchlin Johnson Esqr. to each of them I
will five dollars, to be paid to them at the distribution of my estate.
And
next, on account of my son-in-law, Elijah Wilbank's kindness to me, when
unable to manage, or transact my own business, in coming to act for me, I will
and bequeath to his son David Pressly, fifty acres of woodland land part of
the tract upon which I now live, the line to commence at the corner of widow
Crawford's land, and to extend half the length of the line from said corner,
till where it joins Robert Cowens land. I have also sold fifty acres of the land on which I
live to my son-in-law, Elijah Wilbanks for two dollars per acre, the line to
commence where the corner of the fifty acres I will to his son David P.,
thence to Robert Cowen's corner, which said two
parcels of fifty acres, together making one hundred acres, to be of a
certain breadth, extending from the lower corner of the land where on I live,
joining William Scott and widow Crawford until where it joins Robert Cowen and
James Baskin's land, and if the land is run off and settled, or paid for,
before my decease, then this part of the will is fulfilled, and if not, after
my decease, I will that the said hundred acres be run off agreeably to the
above direction, and lawful rights made to the said Elijah Wilbanks for fifty
of the said hundred acres, of land, and a deed of gift of the other fifty
acres to made to his son David Pressly. I also will that a hundred dollars be
discounted, out of his part, the said Elijah Wilbanks, in payment of the fifty
acres I have sold to him.
And
in the next place, I will and bequeath the remainder of my estate real and
personal to my beloved wife, and my beloved children, that is to say, to
Lauchlin Johnson Esqr., Charles B. Porter, Richard E. Porter, my beloved son
David Pressly Jun., and my son-in-law Elijah Wilbanks, to be equally divided,
except that my beloved wife is to have her support and the benefit of the
plantation whereon I now live, during her natural life and widowhood; also a
horse saddle and bridle, a cow and calf, a plough and gear, and the benefit of
a negro woman, named Lucinda, two beds and furniture, and one cupboard and
furniture exclusive of her equal portition of the estate, during her natural
life and widowhood. And after her decease, the said plantation or tract of
land, and all the said property, in which she has a more life estate, to be
sold and equally divided between my beloved children vis. Lauchlin Johnson,
Charles B. Porter Richard E. Porter, David Pressly Jun. Elijah Wilbanks. I
moreover bequeath to my sister Esther a support of the said plantation, so
long as she may choose to live on the same, and ten dollars in money, or
property, at her option.
In
the next place, I will and bequeath to my beloved daughter Jane M. a negro
girl named Amanda, about twelve years of age as her part of my estate both
real and personal.
To
my beloved daughter Rachel M. I bequeath a negro boy named Cornelius and two
hundred and fifty dollars in any other part of my estate which she may choose
at the appraisment price.
And
next, I will and desire, that my executors shall have power and authority to
sell my plantation and tract of land, either at private or public sale, whichever way they may think
most conducive to the benefit of my heirs.--- next I will unto my beloved
nephew John S. Pressly a bed and furniture, to be received when he may call
for it.--- I also will and desire, that after my estate is appraised &
valued by men chosen, that my beloved wife and children make an equal
distribution of the property if they can do so in peace and with satisfaction,
if not it must be exposed to public sale, although contrary to my wish and
desire.
And for divers good causes moving me hereunto, I nominate, ordain and appoint, my beloved wife Ann Pressly executrix, likewise my beloved cousin and trusty friend the Rev Ebeneser E. Pressly, together with my beloved nephew and trusty friend John S. Pressly executors of this my last will and testament, and do moreover declare this to be my last will and testament and not to be undervalued for want of a more correct form, but to be carried into effect according to the true intent and meaning thereof, and in testimony of which I have set my hand and seal this twelfth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, signed in the presence of the undersigners being in presence one with another.
David
Pressly (Seal)
Test Mathew Young
Lewis W. Mcalister
Elijah Willbanks
Recorded
in Will Book A, page 608 (possibly 508 ??)
Recorded June 14, 1834
Proved
June 14, 1834
John Harris O.A.D.
