Mary Ella Smith, daughter of William B. Smith and Abigail Elizabeth [LNU], was born about 1871 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. [1]She died between 1899 and 22 Jan 1902 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. She signed her Last Will and testament on 18 December 1899. James A. Davis delivered her Last Will and Testament to the Probate Judge and signed a document solemnly swearing that it was Mary E. Davis Last Will and Testament. The letter is dated 22 January 1902. [Estate Folder 697, Image 843 of 1623].
James Alexander Davis and Mary Ella Smith had the following child:
i. Maude Davis was born on 6 Dec 1897 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. She died early in life. At present time she has not been found in the 1900 Census.
Last Will & Testament[2]
M E Davis
In the name of God Amen I M E Davis of Chesterfield County and State of South Carolina being of sound mind & memory & understanding do make this my last will and testament I manner & form as following
I give devise & bequeath unto my beloved Husband James Alexander Davis all my money securities for moneys goods & chattels estate & effects of what nature or kind so ever there-is it is my last will that he my said Husband James Alexander Davis have all my estate both real & personal to hold the same unto my said husband James Alexander Davis His executors administrators and assigns during his natural life & to his bodily heirs If the said jams Alexander Davis my husband should die without leaving any bodily heirs then in that event to return to my estate It is also my will in the event that after my death If my said Husband should survive me & my mother A E Smith should become in a poor & needy circumstances then he my said Husband should assist in her support from the effects of my said estate and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my Husband James Alexander Davis sole executor without Bond of this my last will & testament hereby revoking & making void all and every other will or wills at any time heretofore by me made & do declare this to be my last will and testament
In witness wherof I the said M. E. Davis have hereunto set my hand and seal this the eighteenth Day of December AD 1899
Signed Sealed } M E Davis {seal}
Declare & published by the above named M E Davis as and for her last Will & testament- in the presence of us & in the presence of each other who at her request & in her presence have subscribed our names as witness thereto
D. M. Barentine }
Thos E Mulloy }
E N Redfearn }
[1] 1880 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cole Hill, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 004, Page 301D, Line 2, Dwelling 31, Family 31, Household of William B. SMITH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2 June 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm T9-1225.
[2] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/: viewed, downloaded 1 June 2012), photocopy, "Last Will and Testament of Mary E. Davis," Estate Folder #697, Images 840-846; FHL Film#2166627. [http://bit.ly/Lo0B3v]
I see mentions in connection with my Mississippi relations concerning bonds. I'd like to understand what they are. Any suggestion on where I can learn more?
ReplyDeleteColleen,
ReplyDeleteI would think the bonds mentioned are either administrative or guardianship and it so would be found in the probate office. Maybe the probate minutes for a specific year. Keep in mind that most of these minute books are not indexed and will have to be searched page by page.
Charlie