Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
I obtained a copy of Gadi's will from Harris County probate records several years ago and transcribed it.
Here is my transcription of the will. I wanted to share it with all of you. Gadi was "well propertied" and some of the "in-laws" had become persona-non-grata even before his death. Judging by subsequent court probrate records, a fight insued despite his efforts through his will. I may post my transcriptions of those documents later but I wanted to share this. I find these documents can be very interesting reading. My ggGrandfather (Samuel Myers Williams) ultimately became administrator of Gadi's estate until his death in 1882.
Enjoy,
Ken
[Will of Gadi West from the Harris County Probate records]
In the name of God amen, -- I Gadi West, of the County of Harris, State of Texas, Confederate States of America, being of sound disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare, this instrument of writing, to be my last will and testament, in manner following to wit.
1st It is my will, and I do hereby order my Executor, herein after named, to liquidate and fully pay, as soon after my demise as is practicable, all honest, lawful claims against my estate.
2nd It is my will, and I do hereby bequeathe to my wife Mary West, for her benefit and use during her natural life, all my estate, both real, personal and mixed, not herein after disposed of.
3rd It is my will, and I do hereby bequeathe to my daughter Martha Ann West, my negro girl Tracy, which negro I have this day deeded to my said daughter, deliverable at the period of my death: -- and further, I do hereby, in like manner, bequeathe and deed to my daughter Susannah West, my negro girl Harriet, delivery to take effect immediately after my demise.
4th It is my will, and I do hereby bequeathe to my son Seth West, all that portion of my estate which I may be possessed of at my death, formerly belonging to my deceased son Henry West.
5th It is my will, and I do hereby bequeathe to the heirs of my deceased daughter Tabitha McCaslin, the sum of Ten dollars, which sum is to constitute their full share of my property -- and I will here state by way of explanation, that my aforesaid deceased daughter Tabitha, has heretofore received her full pro-rata of my estate.
6th It is my will, and I do hereby order, after my decease, that my stock of horses and cattle, after my wife has reserved such as she may deem necessary for her own use, be equally divided between my bodily heirs, excepting the heirs of my deceased daughter Tabitha McCaslin, share and share alike.
7th It is my will, and I do hereby order, that the residual of my estate, after the decease of my wife Mary West, be equally divided among my bodily heirs, excepting the heirs of my deceased daughter Tabitha McCaslin, share and share alike.
8th It is my will, and greatest desire of all, that there be no bickering, or contention or lawing in regard to the final division and settlement of my estate therefore, in case the heirs cannot agree among themselves in relation to the valuation and distribution of the property -- the Judge of Probate will appoint two honest disinterested men to act in conjunction with the Executor herein after named whose acts in all matters pertaining to division and settlement shall be final.
9th It is my will, and I do hereby nominate and appoint my Son Richard West, Executor of this my last will and testament, and I hereby order that the court of Probate have nothing to do with my estate further than the probating of this will -- appointing commissioners to act Executor as above provided for -- and inasmuch as I have full confidence in the honesty and fidelity of my aforementioned Executor, he shall not be required to give bond and security for the performance of his duty.
Given under my hand and scroll for seal this 22nd day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, in the presence of J. W. Phillips, R. D. Westcott and Annie R. Westcott.
Gadi West
X
[his mark]
James W. Phillips [signature]
R. D. Westcott [signature] [Richard]
Annie R. Westcott [signature]
Notify Administrator about this message?
Followups:
|
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/west/messages/10835.html | ||
 |
Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|