Thursday, May 7, 2015

52 Ancestors Week 18-Where There's a Will~There's an Opportunity to Give.



The will of Charity Stafford (___-1840), my maternal 4th Great Grandmother is being shared for week 18 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2105 Addition from Amy Johnson Crow.
  This post will also be shared with The Slave Name Roll Project in hopes that the enslaved mentioned in the will may be found by their descendants. 


Front page of Charity Stafford Will
FamilySearch.org
Sumter County Will Book D-2 pg. 32

Back page of Charity Stafford Will
Familysearch.org
Sumter County Will Book D-2 pg. 32



In the name of God Amen. I Charity Stafford, of Sumter District, South Carolina, being in sound health and disposing mind, do make and publish this my last Will and testament.
Item, 1st It is my will that all my just debts be paid by the sale of my two negroes, viz, Judia and her child, Bluford and the balance of the money arising from the sale of said negroes
after my debts are paid together with my house hold furniture and all my stock, to be equally Divided between my two sons. Lunsford 0 Stafford and Hartwell Stafford.
Item 2nd I give and bequeath to my beloved Grand Daughter Barbary E Stafford my plantation whereon I now live to be for the benefit of her father J. Stafford till she, my Grand daughter B E Stafford becomes of age, but not to be subject to any debts already or hereafter to be contacted either by her or any other person or persons.
Item 3rd I give and bequeath to my beloved Barbary Jones my three negroes, viz, Robert, Molly, and Elmirah; during her lifetime, but not be subject to any debts already contracted, or that may hereafter be contracted by her or any other person, or persons.
And at her death, It is my wish that the three negroes (To wit) Robert, Molly, and Elmirah, together with their increase be given to her three children in the following manner viz, I wish Hartwell E Jones to have Robert; and Charity E Jones to have Molly with her increase; and Mary F Jones to have Elmyrah with her increase, and in case either of the children die before they become of age or marry their part of the negro is to go to the surviving one or ones, and neither the negroes nor their increase is to be liable for any debts now contracted or that may hereafter be contracted by any of the heirs or any other person or persons-(Turn over) 
   In witnesses whereof I the Said Charity Stafford have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this the 16th day of Feby[sic] in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty -nine

her
Charity x Stafford (SEAL)
mark
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Charity Stafford as her last will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presents [sic] and at her request have here unto set our names as
witnesses
Noah Graham
Samuel P Hatfield
Alfred China

Recorded in Sumter County Will Book D-2, Pge 32
Recorded 9th Day of Nov 1840
W Lewis Ordy

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by.





3 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the contribution to the Slave Name Roll Project. Wills are such fascinating documents. Sometimes I feel like it's one source, sometimes the only one where we get a glimpse into a person's personality. And just like most other documents or records we find, leave us with more questions.

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  2. Thanks so much for your contribution to the Slave Name Roll Project. I love that you were able to get a twofer -- 52Ancestors and contributing to the Slave Name Roll Project.

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    1. Happy to contribute. Thank you for the opportunity!

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