Parish: Midway
Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Ben, Cudgo [Alt: Cudjo, Cudjoe]
Slaveholder: Todd, John
Date: 1756-07-02
[Begin transcription]
In the Name of God Amen the Second Day of July 1756. I John Todd of the Coloney [sic] of Georgia and district of Midway Planter, being very weak in Body, but of perfect Mind and Memory, thanks be given to God; Therefore calling to mind the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all Men Once to die, do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament; That is to say, principally and first of all, I give and Recommend my Soul into the Hands of Allmighty [sic] God that gave it, and my Body I Recommend unto the Earth, to be buried in decent Christian burial, at the Discretion of my Executors; nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall Receive the same again, by the Mighty Power of God, And as touching such Worldly Estates wherewith it has [paper torn] this Life, I give, demise, and dispose of the same in the following Manner and Form.
Item I give and bequeath to Sarah my dear beloved Wife, all my worldly Estate that I now stand possessed of both Real and personal during her Natural Life.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Giles Todd the plantation that I now live upon, after his Mothers decease or Marriage. Also my Negro Boy Ben, when he thinks proper to Demand the same, and also all the Horses and Mares and their Increase that are called His to be so. Also one Feather Bed and furniture, and One Dozen of Plates, and a puter [pewter] Dish. Also to my Son Giles I give all my Hoggs [sic] and Cattles whatsoever, and my Land and [word] in Virginia for Ever.
Item I give and bequeath unto Sarah my beloved Wife One Negro fellow named Cudgo, during her Natural Life, and upon her decease to my Son John, and after his decease to return to my Son Giles.
And I do further declare my Executors Mr. H H William Ballowe of Midway Victular, and John Mimmack of the aforesaid place Gentleman.
Signed Sealed published and pronounced, and Delivered in the presents [sic] of us the under Subscribers.
Robt [Robert] Godfrey
Rog’r [Roger] Holloway
Barton Rodgers
[End transcription]
Source: “Wills, Colony of Georgia, RG 49-1-2, Georgia Archives”, Colonial Estate Records, held by Georgia Archives Virtual Vault; accessed online at: https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/cw/id/717/rec/278.