Will of Mary Hicks
contributed by Billy Mayo
bmayo_1@msn.com
Mary Hicks was the mother of Louisa Mariah Hicks, Edwin Mayo’s first wife. She and Edwin had three children prior to her death in Americus, Georgia soon after the birth of Mary L. Mayo. The children were Nathan E., b. 1836, Roxie L., b. 1839, and Mary L., b. 1842. Edwin, with his three children moved to Henry County, Alabama.
Sumter County, Georgia First: In the name of God, Amen. I Mary Hicks of said state and county, being of advanced age, but of sound and despairing mind and memory, knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper to make a disposition of the property with which a kind providence has helped me. I do therefore make this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all others by me heretofore made. Second: I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances in life. My soul I trust shall return to God who gave it. As hope for my salvation through the merits and atonement of the Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. Third: I desire and direct that my executor herein after appointed shall have laid off and set apart an acre of land where on my family burial ground is situated for the purpose of a burial ground the same to be laid off on the western side of the Jareblic Road and I hereby give and bequeath Samuel B. Gilbert the sum of three hundred dollars which amount shall be used by the said Samuel B. Gilbert in securing the said burial ground with a good substantial fence or railings and in placing the necessary repairs thereon from time as may become necessary in protecting said burial ground from stock and in keeping said burial ground cleaned up and in good condition. Fourth: I give and bequeath my beloved grand children Roxie Laura Mayo and Mary Louisa Mayo the sum of one hundred dollars each. Fifth: I give and bequeath to my daughters Mary B. Brown, and Clarrissa Caroline Gilbert, one feather bed each. The remainder of my bedding and bed clothing I desire and direct to be divided equally between my three daughter to wit; Mary B. Brown, Clarrissa Caroline Gilbert, and Susannah Perence Hudson. Sixth: I desire and direct that the remainder of my property both real and personal be sold by my executor and after the payment of all debts if any existing, That the proceeds thereof together with all money, notes, and closes in action left by me on my death be equally divided by my executor between my three children to wit; Mary B. Brown, Clarrissa Caroline Gilbert, Susannah Perence Hudson, and the children of my deceased daughter Prity Elefour Beall; to wit; Mary Harriett, Frederick D. Beall, Nancy J. Beall, Harriett Beall, and Arthur Beall. The said children take the share of their deceased mother , share and share alike except caroline Gilbert who shall account for three hundred dollars in the distribution which amount has been advanced to her heretofore by me. Seventh: I desire and direct that such part of my estate as I have bequeathed to Arthur Beall in item Sixth shall be held by Franklin Chambers in trust for the said Arthur until arrive at the age of twenty one years and that the income thereof together with such part of the corpus thereof as may be absolutely necessary be expended in the support and education of the said Arthur and the remainder turned over to him upon his arrival at twenty one years of age. Eight: I herby constitute and appoint my friend Franklin Chambers executor of this my last will and testament this March 6th 1872. Signed: Mary Hicks Witness: James G. Shinholster E. J. Holland J. T. Jones Signed, sealed and declared published by Mary Hicks her last will and testament in the presence of us the undersigned who subscribed our names hereto in the presence of testator at her special instance and request and in the presence of each other this March 6th, 1872. J. G. Shinholster, E. J. Holland, J. T. Jones