Will of William H. Feagin
submitted by John D. Feagin, Sr.
Here is the will of my ggg grandfather, William H. FEAGIN - this will is dated 3 March 1864 - Sumter County, GA. He was the father of William H. Feagin who became Sheriff of Sumter County and Chief of Police of Americus.
Regards,
John D. Feagin, Sr.
In the name of God Amen.
I, William H. Feagin, of said county and state being weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory, deem it right to dispose of my property and therefore make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others by me at any time made.
First I desire direct that all my just debts shall be paid by my executrix herinafter named as soon as practicable and that she shal lsell the cotton that I have on hand in such manner + at such time as she shall deem best to accomplish that end and in case the proceed of said cottens do not pay all my debts I desire that my negro man Spencer shall be sold (If a sale of property become necessary) for the same purpose.
Second I devise and bequeath to my daughter Mary A. Davenport my negro man Henry to her sole and separate use not subject to the debts of her present or any future husband with the right when to use and dispose ofsaid negro for her own benefit either by will or otherwise and remainder to her heirs.
Third I devise and bequeath to my daughter Martha A. Cameron my negro Hamilton to her sole and separate use not subject to the debts of her present or any future husband with the right in her to use and dispose of said negro for her own benefit either by will or otherwise and remainder to her heirs.
Fourth I desire and bequeath to my daughter Georgia Feagin my negro man Mike to her sole and separate use not subject to the debts of any future husband with the right in her at anytime to use and dispose ofsaid negro for her own benefit either by will or otherwise remainder to her heirs.
Fifth I devise and bequeath to my son James M. Feagin my negro man Moses.
Sixth I desire and direct that the remainder of my property consisting of negroes, mules, other stock farming and other tools household and kitchen furniture and al lother articles shall be kept together and managed by my wife Jane Feagin for the purpose of supporting and educating my children William H. and John T. and supporting also herself until my youngest child John T. shall become twenty one years of age when I desire and direct that an equal division of my estates hall be made between all my children and my wife the property given to each one by this w ill to be considered as an advancement on the portion of each one to whom a special devise is herein made.
Seventh In case any of my children shall die having heirs of his or her body before the final division of my estate I desire and direct that the heirs afore and of the body of such child shall take the share of the child so dying and in the event of any one of my children dying without heirs of the body I desire and direct that the portion which such child would have received if living shall be considered a part of my estate and subject to the division as directed inthe sixth item of this will.
Eighth In case my son John T. should die before arriving at the age of twenty one years, I desire and direct that the division mentioned in item sixth shall take place on my sons William H. arriving at that age and in the event that both should die before adivision shall be made I desire and direct that the division mentionedin item sixth shall take place immediately upon such deaths.
Ninth In the event that any child shall be born to me I desire anddirect that the division mentioned in item sixth shall be deferred till such child arrive at the age of twenty one and that such child shall receive a childs portion and stand upon equal footing with my other children.
Tenth I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Jane Feagin Executrix of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereinto set my hand and affixed my seal this third day March Eighteen Hundred Sixty Four.
W.H. Feagin (ss)