Testator: John Ashmore, Liberty County, State of Georgia
[NOTE: John Ashmore was my 4th great-grandfather. I have researched the people mentioned in this will, both white and African American. Please contact me for additional information at jnscole@yahoo.com.]
[Begin Transcript]
State of Georgia, Liberty County} In the name of God, I John Ashmore of State and county aforesaid being by the blessing of almighty God of sound health both in mind and body and possession of the following property, I do dispose of the same according to this my last will and testament to wit:
I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah Ashmore all my estate personal and real to have and to hold during her natural life or widowhood. At her death I give and bequeath my estate agreeable to the following items:
Item 1. To my daughter Sarah the following four negroes Abram, Andrew, Edwin and Elitha together with her future issue to her and her children exclusively forever.
Item 2. To my daughter Mary the following three negroes Siby Toney and Clayton to her children exclusively forever.
Item 3. To my son Daniel the following two negroes Sandy and Frank during his natural life and while he remains in his present afflicted state for his exclusive service and support. The said Daniel I leave in the hands of his ??relations?? and that one who takes care of the said Daniel until his death, then the said two negroes Sandy and Frank shall be the property of that person who so takes care of the said Daniel and I would the said Daniel should remain in possession of my daughter Mary and son Joseph except in case of their deaths.
Item 4. To my daughter in law Ann Ashmore one negro man Toby during her natural life or widowhood, at her death the said negro I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Eliza Carter and to her children exclusively forever.
Item 5. To my grandson Strong Ashmore one negro man Saul to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item 6. My land I divide between my daughter Sarah and my daughter Mary the pl[???] dam being the line all east of the pl[???] dam I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah to her and her children exclusively forever.
All west of the said pl[???] dam together with houses for [word] of all kinds, ?money? crops provisions horses wagons the remaining on hand at the death of my wife, I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary, to her and her children exclusively forever, black horned cattle excepted and they are to be equally divided between my two daughters Mary and Sarah Ashmore and I do hereby appoint my grandson Joseph Ashmore and my beloved wife Sarah Ashmore executor and executrix of this my last will and testament revoking all others, which for the affection they bear to me they will faithfully carry into effect accordingly to its plain and obvious meaning. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15 day of Sept 1841. Signed sealed and acknowledged as the last will and testament of John Ashmore in presence of
J.V.L. Corker John Ashmore LS
Ann J. Corker
E.Q. Andrews J.P.
Georgia, Liberty County: Personally appeared Edward Q. Andrews who being duly sworn deposath and saith that he is a subscribing witness to the above will and testament of John Ashmore deceased that he acknowledges the above to be his signature, that he declared this same to be his last will and testament and that at the time he was of sound and [word] mind and memory, that he executed the same freely and without compulsion, so far as I know or believe. So help me God.
E. Q Andrews
14 January 1850
W.E.W. Quarterman JJC
Jno A. Hendry JJC Recorded 2? Jany 1850
J.S. Bradwell
Clerk
February 22, 1845
Georgia, Liberty County: Whereas I John Ashmore did on the 15th day of Sept. AD 1841 sign and declare and publish my last will and testament in presence of J.V.L. Corker Ann J. Corker and E. Q. Andrews who signed the said will as witnesses and whereas I am desirous of altering and changing a devise in said will and testament I do therefore make and publish this codicil to said will. First – I revoke and change the third item of said will relating to my son Daniel Ashmore in same. At the making and publishing of said will my son Daniel was with me but since that time he has been removed to the asylum where he is supported by the State. I would therefore that my grand son Joseph Ashmore take immediate possession of said two negroes Sandy and Frank, that he keep them and work them on the farm, the money arising from the laborers of said two negroes after clothing and furnishing them with necessary farming utensils shall be given to my daughter Mary. At the death of my son Daniel Ashmore I give and bequeath said two negroes Sandy and Frank to my daughter Mary to her and to her children exclusively forever. Provided nevertheless should my son Daniel be restored to family again the said two negroes Sandy and Frank shall be delivered to him forthwith by my grandson Joseph Ashmore. Signed sealed delivered as a codicil to the last will and testament of John Ashmore of 15 Sept. 1841.
John Ashmore
In presence of us
Personally appeared J.S. Bradwell who being duly sworn deposath and saith that the above signature of John Ashmore is true and correct to the best of my knowledge [word] So help me God.
14 Jany 1850
J.S. Bradwell
in presence of E.Q. Andrews W.E.W. Quarterman
[End Transcript]
[From Research of Names:
J.S. Bradwell = John S. Bradwell, clerk of the Liberty County Superior Court 1845-1852
J.V. L. Corker = John Victor Leonidas Corker, b. 1795, d. before 1850
Ann J. Corker = John Corker’s wife, nee Ann Jourdine Thorpe, b. 1794, d. 1871
W.E.W. Quarterman = William Elliott Way Quarterman, b. 1802, d. 1868
E.Q. Andrews = Edward Quarterman Andrews, b. 1800, d. 1880
John A. Hendry = John Abraham Hendry, b. 1821, d. 1856
See original will at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-GH8M?i=679&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901&cc=1999178