Will Summary (published 1964)
Joseph Stevens of Liberty County, planter. Last Will and Testament dated March 25, 1800. Probated April 3, 1800. Gives to his wife, Mary, one-half of his estate and the other half to his sister, Rebecca Gireadeau [sic, Girardeau] and nephew Joseph Stevens Baker when they (the last two named) are of age or married. Gives a slave to his mother. Thomas Stevens, testator’s uncle, to be trustee for said mother. Executors: Friends, Peter Winn, Joseph Quarterman, Samuel Spencer, Thomas Stevens the younger. Witnesses: Thomas Stevens, Sr., Liberty Holmes, John Sheppard. A codicil dated March 29, 1800, was probated at the same time, and added his wife as executrix. Witnesses to codicil: Thomas Baker, Liberty Holmes, John Sheppard. [Also spelled Shepard, Shepherd]
Slave names left out of the original summary:
“I having delivered a girl named Jean to my beloved mother, I give said girl to my uncle Thomas Stevens and my Ex[ecut]or in trust for her & her heirs forever not considering her as any part of my Estate as above.”
Find the original (complete) will online at:
Ancestry.com:
FamilySearch.org:
“Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-P9ND?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 65 of 689; county probate courthouses, Georgia.
1964 Summaries From: “Georgia Court-House Records – Liberty County,” 1964 quarterly issues of The Georgia Genealogical Magazine, Folks Huxford, Editor. Published Under the Auspices of The Wiregrass Georgia Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.