Parish: St. John
Enslaved Persons Mentioned: Patty, Betty, Siby [Alt: Sibby], Beck
Slaveholder: Maxwell, Audley
Date: 1769-05-22
[Begin transcription]
In the Name of God Amen. I Audley Maxwell of St Johns parish in the province aforesaid Planter being weak of Body but of sound mind and memory blessed be God do this day May the 22d 1769 and in the ninth Year of his Majesties [sic] reign do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say, Imprimis I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to me and my Body to the Earth from whence it came in hopes of a joyfull [sic] Resurrection through the merits of my Savour [sic] Jesus Christ and as for that Worldly estate wherewith it hath Pleased God to bless me I dispose thereof in manner and form following.
First I desire that my body may be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my Wife and Executors which are hereunder nominated and appointed. Viz. My true and well beloved son James Maxwell and Andrew Elton Wells and John Sandiford [alt: Sandifort] my sons inlaw [sic] according to the true intent and meaning of this my Last will and Testament and furthermore I desire that all my just debts may be paid out of my personal Estate.
I Give and bequeath unto my True and loving Wife Hannah Maxwell one Negro woman named Patty to her and her Heirs for ever togather [sic] with a horse and Chair as also her bed and furniture likewise my ketchin [sic] furniture.
I Give and bequeath unto my True and well beloved son James Maxwell one Tract of Land whereon he now lives one Negroe Girl named Betty also one Third part of my black Cattle also an Equal part of my moveable Estate as shall hereafter be mentioned to him and to his Heirs for Ever.
I Give and bequeath unto my Beloved son Andrew Elton Wells one half of a Tract of Land Containing Three hundred and Fifty Acres Situated on Newport Adjoining lands of John Mitchell Mathew [alt: Matthew] Smallwood and John Davise [alt: Davis]. Also one Negro Girl named Siby also one Third part of my black Cattle to him and to his Heirs forever.
I Give and bequeath unto my beloved son John Sandiford one half of a Tract of Land Situated on Newport Adjoining Lands of John Mitchell Mathew Smallwood and John Davise also one Negro girl named Beck also Eleven Cows and Calves, the said wench and Cattle being deliver’d [sic] to him and his Heirs forever.
I Give and Bequeath unto my beloved grandson Audley Maxwell one Tract of Land Situated on Midway Containing one hundred and fifty Acres adjoining Lands of the Estate of Kenneth Bailie [alt: Baillie] and Audley Maxwell Juniour [sic] Deceasd [sic] and in Case the said Audley Maxwell should not live to the Age of Twenty One Then the said Lands shall be Equally divided between James Maxwell Andrew Elton Wells and John Sandiford to them and their Heirs forever.
I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Grand Daughter Elizabeth Maxwell the Remaining one third part of my black Cattle as was mention’d [sic] in my deed of Gift to her Father Audley Maxwell Junr [Junior] Deceas’d [sic].
I Give and bequeath unto my Beloved son Josiah Powell the full sum of Ten shillings Sterling to be paid out of my Moveable Estate to him and to his Heirs for Ever.
And I do hereby desire that all my Real and personal Estate be equally divided amongst my Three Sons James Maxwell Andrew Elton Wells and John Sandiford, Excepted as before mention’d [sic], and that the possessors of each grown slave shall pay unto my beloved Wife Hannah Maxwell the sum of Eight Pounds Sterling a year during the term of her Natural Life, to them and to their Heirs forever.
Finially [sic] I do declare this to be my last Will and Testament Revoking all others In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year above Writing.
Audley Maxwell
Signd [sic] Seald [sic] and deliverd [sic] in the presence of us
Jonathan Evans
James Alexander
Richard Wylly
[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/1177/rec/166.