Will Summary:
Testator: Samuel Lewis, planter, Liberty County, State of Georgia
Bequests:
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To wife Drusilla Lewis during her natural life and to her use “the following negro slaves”: Phebe, and her four children Lucy, Sylvia, Prince, and Abby, and Chloe and her three children, Candace, Will and Harry, with the future issue and increase of the females” plus her house and lot of land on the Sand Hills, with all the household and kitchen furniture, her horse and gig, “known as the Cream Horse,” “a certain portion of my Plantation (say, enough for her negroes to plant)” and all the buildings, stock of cattle, hogs & sheep on it. After her death, all of that shall become part of his estate, subject to the same restrictions.
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Also to wife Drusilla, the “following negro slaves”: Lucy, Ann, Diana and her seven children, Cato, Celia, John, Clarinda, Kate, Kit and Prime; and Nanny, with the issue and increase of the females.”
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To daughter Sarah H. Lewis, “a certain negro slave named Doll,” with her future increase, to her and her children.
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To daughter Mary E. Lewis, “a certain negro slave named Sally” with her future increase, to her and her children.
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To daughter Ann D. Lewis, “a certain negro slave named Dinah” with her future increase, to her and her children.
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To daughter Caroline R. Lewis, “a certain negro slave named Little Chloe” with her future increase, to her and her children.
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To “my beloved old aunt” Susannah Lewis “a decent and comfortable support during her natural life.”
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To “beloved friend” William J. Way, his double barrel gun, dogs and horn.
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For all other estate, real and personal, currently possessed or later acquired, it shall be kept together until all his children are educated and the youngest has reached age 18 or married, then the estate shall be equally divided among the children. While the estate is held together, “the monies arising from the labour of the negroes, after all plantation and other necessary expenses are defrayed” should be laid out or invested in such property as seems most conducive to the “welfare and interest” of the heirs, or may be divided among the children. This is at the discretion of the executors.
Executors: wife Drusilla Lewis, friends Charlton Hines, Wm. [William] N. Way, Lewis Hines, and Wm. J. Way.
Date signed: 11 January 1828
Witnesses: James Smylie Jun., Jesse Cooper, David Laing
Probated by James Smylie Jun. on 3 March 1828
Recorded 28 March 1828.
For original will, see: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-PQL?i=456&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901&cc=1999178