Updated November 25, 2022
In the name of God Amen. I John Gillam, of the state of South Carolina, Newberry District, being very sick and weak in body, but, of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God; calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial, at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God.
And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form:
First I give and bequest to Dorcas Richy my dearly beloved mother one hundred dollars, to be raised and livied [sic] out of my estate
Also I give to my well beloved sister Frances Griffin all and singular my lands together with all my debts and moveable effects. By her freely to be possessed and enjoyed
I likewise constitute, make and ordain Asa Griffin and Abram Crews, the sole executors of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies, bequests, and executors, by me in any wise before named willed, bequesthed, ratifying and conforming this and no other to be my last will and testament
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and on the independency of America the twenty-fifth
Sig: John Gillam
Signed in the presence of
Daniel Gates
James Gates
Recorded in Will Book C, page 150
Proved January 5, 1801
Recorded April 13, 1801
Samuel Lindsey Ordinary of Newberry District
Box 8, Pkg. 17, Est. No. 176.
Sources
- The South Carolina Department of Archives and History Web Site