Enslaved People Named: Peter, Old Die, Sam, Phoebe, Pompey, Taymor, May, Ann, Prince, Gamma, Lavinia, Cornelia, Absolam, Johnson, John, Abram, Sam, Bella, Joe, Candis, Chloe, ? Drissey (Prissy?), Solomon, Fremont, Ned, Ben, Phillis, Peggy, Jacob, Bob, Annie, Betsey, Henry, Francis, William, Patience, Annie, Matilda, Isaac, Simon
Slaveholder: Thomas K. Dunham
Year: 1858
Location: Camden County, Georgia
[Begin Transcript]
In the name of God. Amen. I Thomas K. Dunham of the County of Camden in the State of Georgia, being now confined to my bed by serious illness but in the full possession of my reasoning faculties and of sound and disposing mind and memory desire to dispose by Will of my worldly estate, hereby revoking and declaring null and void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made.
First. I desire my Executor herein after named to dispose of my man slave Peter at public or private sale as he may judge best. The proceeds of said sale, together with all moneys on hand or collected to be applied first to the payment of all my just debts and all expenses accruing and subsequently as herein after directed.
Second. I give devise and bequeath to my Brother William T. Dunham my slaves old Die [alt: Dye], Sam, his wife, Phoebe [alt: Phebe], her son Pompey, and Taymor [alt: Taimur] with the future issue and increase of the females – to him and his heirs forever. Also one third part of all my stock of horses, mules, cattle and hogs.
Third. I give devise and bequeath to my brother John Dunham, my slaves May, his wife Ann, Prince, and Gamma [alt: Gamah], with the future issue and increase of the females – also one third part of all my stock of horses, mules, cattle and hogs.
Fourth. I give devise and bequeath to my brother James H. Dunham my slaves Lavinia Cornelia Absolam [alt: Absalom] Johnson John Abram and infant / all the children of said Lavinia/ Sam and his wife Bella – together with the future issue and increase of the females, also all cash and moneys remaining in my herein after named Executor’s hands not otherwise appropriated & all moneys collected on my book accounts, notes, bonds and other evidences of debt.
Fifth. I give devise and bequeath to my Brother George T. Dunham my Plantation and lands in McIntosh County with all the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining also the remaining third part of all my stock of horses mules cattle and hogs, and the following named slaves to wit. Joe, Candis, Chloe, ?? Drissey ?? [possibly Prissy or Pussy?], Solomon, Fremont and Ned, with the future issue and increase of the females.
Sixth. I give devise and bequeath to my brother George T. in trust for my brother Andrew J. Dunham, until he shall have attained the age of thirty years when said trust shall cease, my slaves Ben, Phillis [alt: Phyllis], Peggy and her son Jacob, with the future issue and increase of the females.
Seventh. I give devise and bequeath to my brother in law Samuel H. Crawford in trust for the use and benefit of my sister Sarah Jane, his wife, for and during the term of her natural life, the following slaves to wit. Bob, Annie, Betsey and her children Henry Francis and William with the future issue and increase of the females, and after her death to any child or children she may leave, but should my said sister Sarah Jane depart this life without leaving any child or children, said trust to cease, and the said slaves in this item bequeathed to become the property in fee simple of my brothers William T. and John, share and share alike, or the survivor, unless either of my said brothers shall have by his last Will and Testament disposed of his proportionate part.
Eighth. I give devise and bequeath to my brother in law Dr. E.H. Hart in trust for the use and benefit of my sister Mary Esther his wife for and during the term of her natural life, the following slaves, Patience and her child Annie, Matilda, Isaac, and Simon with the future issue and increase of the females and after her death for the use and benefit of any child of children she may leave, and in default of any such child or children living at the time of my said sister’s decease, then said trust to cease, and said slaves to become the property in fee simple of my brothers William T. and John, share and share alike, or the survivor.
Ninth. I give devise and bequeath to my sister Mary Esther Hart all my medical books, surgical instruments, stock of medicines, office and office fixtures.
Tenth. I give devise and bequeath to my sisters Sarah Jane, and Mary Esther, all my household and kitchen furniture, miscellaneous books, plates, beds, bedding, and every and all articles pertaining to housekeeping, share and share alike, or in the event of the death of either of my said sisters before probate of this instrument then to the survivor.
Eleventh. I request and desire my Executor hereinafter named to pay to each of my servants Annie and Patience the sum of fifty dollars as a testimonial of their faithful and unremitting attention and service.
Twelveth. All the rest and residue of my property whether real personal or mixed or wherever situate, I give devise and bequeath to my brothers James H. and George T. to be equality divided, share and share alike.
Lastly. And lastly, to carry into effect this my last Will and Testament, I hereby nominate constitute and appoint as my executor my friend Henry R. Fort.
In testimony I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in presence of us, who at this request and in his presence, and in presence of each other, have subscribed our names hereto as witnesses to its due execution.
John H. Brown
Robert Thompkins
? J. S. ? Hopkins
Codicil no. 1
I give devise and bequeath to my friend W.S.M. Ashley my bay mare Bet.
Witness my hand and seal the fourth day of December Eighteen hundred & fifty eight.
Signed sealed published & declared as a part of my last Will & Testament in presence of
John H. Brown
Robert Tompkins
? S. Hopkins
For original copy of will, see: Ancestry, digital image, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992, Camden County Probate Court, “Loose Papers, Surnames Br-F,” images 420-424; (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8635/images/005759571_00420, accessed 3/31/2023)