THE WILL OF NANCY JONES (transcribed)
Below is a transcription of the will of Nancy Jones. We know for certain her son-inaw and then her grandson owned at least 8 of our ancestors.
Warning: this content here can be painful to read
In the name of God amen I Nancy Jones of Cahawb Town Dallas County State of Alabama, do make and declare this my last will and Testament in a manner and form following: First, I resign my soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping and believing in a __ of my sins, by the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ and my body I commit to the earth to be buries at the discretion of my executor herein after named. And all my worldly estate I give and devise as follows: First, I give and devise to my daughter Ann Lee Curtis my negro man slave Sam, woman Slave Juda to have and to hold to my said daughter her heirs and assigns forever. Secondly to my Grand daughter Ann Eliza Curtis my negro Slave David to have and to hold to my said Grand daughter her heirs and assigns forever and also my bed stand. Thirdly to my Grand daughter Mary Jane Curtis my negro Slave Louisa to have and to hold to to my Grand daughter her heirs and assigns forever. Fourthly, to my Grand daughter Catharine Ann Files a negro girl? between the ages of nine and twelve years, the negro to be purchased by my son-in-law William Curtis out of my personable effects and I enjoin it on my son-in-law to make the purchase fairly and transfer it immediately to my Grand Daughter Catharine Ann Files or as soon may be practicable, also one bed and the furniture thereto belonging to hold to my said Grand daughter her heirs and assigns forever. The one half of the property that may be coming to me from the estate of my father I give to my daughter Elizabeth Files to have and to hold the same amd her heirs and assigns forever. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son-in-law William Curtis executor of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other or former wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundren twenty six. Signed, sealed and published and (Signed) Nacy Jones <seal> as and for the last will and Testament of the above named Nancy Jones in the presence of Joseph Walker Thomas?
Recorded March 1827