Monday, July 8, 2019

Amanuensis Monday~Last Will and Testament Elizabeth McWhite


Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.

His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.


Today’s subject is the Last Will and Testament Elizabeth McWhite, 1846.1

The Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth McWhite


Transcription: 

Page 90
In the Name of God Amen.
I Elizabeth McWhite being weak in body but of Sound and disposing mind and memory and being desirous of Settling my worldly affairs whilst I have Strength and capacity So to do; do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.
Imprimis. I desire that my funeral expenses be paid immediately after my decease out of my estate.
Item. I give and bequeath to my adopted daughter Margaret Elizabeth Greaves Davis all the land owned by my former husband W. H. Greaves, dec'd in his lifetime, also the following negro Slave namely, Cyrus, Matilda, Vilot, Minnerus, Jim, Billy, Nathan, Tiney, Flanner, and Binah, and their future increase, also one Bed and furniture, one horse. I wish her  to take her choice of my homes to her and her lawful ifsue but, should she depart this life leaving no issue, them and in that case, I wish the above named property to be equally divided between Joseph P. Davis, Sarah A. Davis, Mary A. Brown, James Allison and the ifsue of Jennett Johnson share and share alike. Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Sister Rachel Allison the following negro Slaves named Befs and Bob, one home and my Barouche. 
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Niece Jennett Johnson the following negro slaves namely Bellow, Doctor, Jinny and Lenn. Item. I give and bequeath to my niece Mary A. Brown the following negro slaves namely Polly and Jack to her and her lawful ifsue forever. Item.  I give and bequeath to my nephew Joseph P. Davis a negro man named Moses also one bed and furniture but should he depart this life leaving no lawful children I wish the property to be equally divided between the lawful ifsue of my niece Jennett Johnson. Item. I give and bequeath to my Niece Sarah A. Davis a negro man named Patrick. Also one bed and furniture to her and the lawful ifsue of her Body
page 2
but should she depart this life leaving no ifsue I wish the property to be equally divided between the lawful ifsue of my niece Jennett Johnson. 
Item. I give and bequeath to my Nephew David R. Williams  Davis a negro man named Gilbert but should he depart this life leaving no lawful children I wish the property to be equally divided between the lawful children of my niece Jennett Johnson.
Item. I give and bequeath to my Nephew James Allison a negro man named Nemo.  Item. I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Greaves Johnson daughter of my Niece Jennett Johnson one Bed and furniture. Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved husband Alexander McWhite all the residue of my Estate real and personal not herein disposed of and hereby nominate constitute and appoint my friend Benjamin Graves and my nephew James Allison my executors of this my last will and testament. In Witnefs I have hereunto Set my hands and Seal this eight day July Anno Domino one thousand eight hundred and forty six. Signed Sealed published and declared as and for the last will and Testament of the above named Elizabeth McWhite in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto Subscribed our names as Witnefses}
Jno. Woodberry}                                                                                                       

George W. Woodberry}                                            Elizabeth McWhite {Seal}
John Lowrimore


South Carolina}
Marion District} Geo. W. Woodberry personally appeared and made oath that he was present and saw the within instrument of writing Signed Sealed and declared as and for the last Will and Testament of Elizabeth McWhite that she the Said Testator was then of Sound disposing mind and memory to the best of this deponent Knowledge and belief and that John Woodberry and John Lowrymore were subscribing witnefses thereto.
Sworn to before me 5 Sept 1847}
Edward D. Wheeler}                                                 G. W. Woodberry
Ordinary


I Benjamin Gause do hereby Solemnly Swear that this writing contains the true last will and testament of Elizabeth McWhite, dec'd and that I will well and truly execute the Same by paying first the debts, and then the legacies and make a just and true appraisement thereof So help me God.
Sworn to before me 9 Sept 1847
Edmund B. Wheeler                                                  Benj. Gause
Recorded 28 Sept 1847 


Elizabeth Keziah Davis, b. Nov. 1784 was the daughter of David Davis and Rebecca Keziah “Kezia” Godfrey.  She was first married to William Henry Greaves, b. abt 1772 in SC; died 1834 in Marion District. William and Elizabeth had no known children but, did adopt Margaret Ann Gourly Davis, daughter of William Davis who died in 1822. William Davis and Elizabeth Keziah Davis Greaves were siblings.  

After the death of husband, William Henry Greaves, Elizabeth married, after 1840, Alexander McWhite, a much younger man. The marriage was short-lived; Elizabeth died in 1847. The exact date is currently unknown. Elizabeth Keziah Davis Greaves McWhite had no known children.

Elizabeth Keziah Davis Greaves McWhite is my 2nd Cousin 5 times removed.





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[1] Marion District, South Carolina, Will Books:Two (2), Page(s) 90-91 Last Will and Testament Elizabeth McWhite; Probate Office, Marion, Marion County, South Carolina.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PT-296V-5?i=242&cat=391278

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