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The Will of God be done, Amen. I Paul Hamilton Wilkins, of the State of Georgia and County of Liberty, planter, calling to mind that life, even in the midst of health and enjoyment, is uncertain and transitory, and that death will ultimately terminate the hopes and prospects of all mankind, do, therefore, whilst in the full possession of my rational faculties, make, constitute and ordain, in the calm moments of reflection, this to be my last will and testament. All debts due by me, which have any foundation in justice and equity, and all expenses which may be attended on my sickness and funeral, I direct first to be paid.
To my son Paul Hamilton Wilkins, I give and bequeath the Isle of Wight, on which I now plant, and the marsh lands thereunto belonging, and that joining the west side of said island up to the canal, which said canal is to be the dividing line between said island and my adjacent plantation, to the bend above my causeway, and from that piece of land agreed by Samuel Wilkins to be exchanged for a piece of my land within the estate of Cochran’s banks; that is, a direct line to be run from the aforesaid bend to strike Limerick Canal, so as to include the piece of land received in exchange with Samuel Wilkins, the line to run then as follows: along the canal to the lower corner of Limerick bank, then to turn North, following the ditch to the creek. I wish it understood, that the canal which now runs through my marsh land on the North and North West of the Isle of Wight, dug by Mr. Samuel Wilkins, or the estate of Cochran, was granted by me in part consideration of exchange of land; and I view the said canal as attached to Limerick plantation, and therefore not subject to the control of my future proprietor of the Isle of Wight, or the marsh lands before mentioned.
I further give and bequeath to my son P.H. Wilkins the following named negroes, together with all their future issue and increase; viz. Fanny, Phoebe, Mary Gail, Betty, Ned, Judy, Romeo, Cassander, Yellow Caesar, Jane, Moses.
I further give and bequeath to my son Paul H. Wilkins Lot No. (2) two in the Town of Sunbury, with its improvements.
To my son Archibald Wilkins I give and bequeath my ?Dunane? Plantation, including twenty three and one third acres bought of John Fraser, making nine hundred and eighty three acres of land; also all my lands adjoining the commons of Sunbury, lands of Charles O. Screven, Elizabeth Wilkins and marshes of Midway. Also, those four improved lots on which I now reside, together with the four improved lots immediately in the rear of the last mentioned lots. It is my will and desire that when my son Archibald arrives at the age of twenty one years, that the aforesaid lands adjoining the commons of Sunbury, lands of C.O. Screven, Elizabeth Wilkins and marshes of Midway, be at his option to retain them, provided he pays unto his two sisters, Ann Bellinger and [covered by smudge but probably Jane Mary] Wilkins, their heirs, executors or administrators, the sum of four thousand dollars in size equal annual payments, the first payment to be made when he arrives at the age of twenty two years, or surrender the aforesaid lands to my executors, and by them to be disposed of, to the best advantage, for the benefit of my two daughters, Ann Bellinger and Jane Mary Wilkins.
To my two daughters, Ann Bellinger and Jane Mary Wilkins, I give and bequeath three hundred and ninety two acres of land on Cathead creek and Altamaha, adjoining James Smith and James Dunwody; also the residue of my lots in the town of Sunbury, not already disposed of.
To my son Joseph C. Wilkins, I give and bequeath that tract of land purchased from the executors of the estate of Demere, containing about two thousand acres, adjoining John Stacy, D. ?G?. Holms and Wm. [William] Norman.
To my four children, Archibald, Joseph C, Ann Bellinger and Jane Mary Wilkins, I give and bequeath, share and share alike, the whole of my property not heretofore named or disposed of, with all its future increase.
In case either or any of my last named four children die before marriage, and leave no heirs of the body, then, and in either case, the property I now bequeath them to belong to the survivor or survivors of the said four children, Archibald, Joseph C., Ann Bellinger and Jane Mary Wilkins.
I wish it understood that all the property intended by me for the use, benefits and support of my daughter Eliza Ann Iverson, her children and husband, I have conveyed in a deed of trust to my son Paul H. Wilkins and Alfred Iverson Esq.
It is my sincere wish, and my last injunction, that my children receive as liberal educations as their circumstances in life will admit of, and that they be sent, at a proper age, by my executors, to such parts of the United States as will in their judgment best promote this great object.
I constitute and appoint my son Paul H. Wilkins, my cousin James S. Wilkins, and my son Archibald Wilkins, when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, executors, to carry into full effect this my last will and testament, also with full power to dispose of and sell the whole of my property, both real and personal, which I have bequeathed to my four children, Archibald, Joseph C., Ann Bellinger, and Jane Mary Wilkins, and vest the same in stock of the Bank of the United States, for the benefit, use and support of my said four children, reserving to each of the aforesaid four children the privilege, at all times from the present date, of retaining their proportion of the property, or not, as each may think most advantageous.
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Dated 14 November 1827
Witnesses: James S. Bulloch, A. Wilkins, J. George notary public
Probated by Joseph George on ? September 1836 [witnesses are named as Archibald Wilkins and James S. Bulloch
Recorded 6 September 1836
See original will at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-GH2Y?i=539&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901&cc=1999178