Parish: St. John
Enslaved Persons Mentioned: None
Slaveholder: Burtley, Richard
Date: 1771-10-16
[Begin transcription]
In the name of God Amen.
I Richard Burtley of the parish of St Johns in the province of Georgia do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following Viz.
I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God from whence it came my body I commit to the ground to be buried in Decency according to the discretion of my Exetrs. As for my worldly goods it hath pleased God to bestow on me, I give and bequeath in manner and form following.
Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah Burtley all goods and chattels consisting of hogs horses and cattle and [blurred] and furniture and all my other household furniture goods and chattels and debts belonging to me and my debts to be paid out of the Sd Estate and then the property to belong to the Sd Sarah Burtley to her proper use and behoof.
During her life and after her decease it is my will and testament that the whole Estate and the increase of the same should belong to my beloved Granddaughter Mary Pritchard to her and her heirs forever given under my hand and seal this Sixteenth day Octr one thousand seven hundred and seventy one.
Signd Seald and Delvd in prisence [sic] of William Morton Matthew [surname starts with Bea] James Pritchd [Pritchard] Sarah Burtley
Richd R B Burtley
His Mark [indicating illiteracy]
[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/1116/rec/36.