Last Will and Testament of Rebecca Keziah Godfrey Roberts

Rebecca Keziah Godfrey was born December 1755, a daughter of Richard Godfrey and Rebecca Guy.

On 20 December 1775, at age 20, Rebeca Keziah married David Davis, son of Benjamin Davis, Sr. and Rachel Port. To this union was born 7 children; 5 sons and 2 daughters.
On 16 October 1798, David Davis passed away leaving his widow, Rebecca, and 7 surviving children.

Six years and 4 months after the death of her husband David Davis, Rebecca Kezieh Godfrey Davis entered into a Marriage Contract, dated 1 February 1805, with a local planter by the name of Roger Roberts.

Rebecca Kezieh Godfrey Davis and Roger Roberts were married in 1805, Marion County, South Carolina. An exact marriage date has not been found. Roger Roberts died before 1810; Rebecca Keziah died between the date of her Will (21 July 1823) and the 1830 Census. No exact date of death has been found for Rebecca Keziah. Her Will, in it’s entirety can be viewed and read below.

Transcription:

WILL OF KEZIA ROBERTS
In the name of God Amen. I Kezia Roberts of the State of South Carolina Marion District being of sound mind memory and understanding do make declare and ordain this to be my last Will and testament revoking all others at any time by me heretofore made Imprimis. I will that all my funeral Expenses with all my just debts be paid as quick as pofsible.
Item. To my beloved son Henry Davis I give and bequeath the  following negroes named Nero, Bine, Seburn, Harry, Susanah and Christiana with all their future increase together with my Lands, Stock of every Kind and all my household furniture to him and his Heirs forever but should my Son Henry Davis die leaving no Lawful Ifsue then in that Case it is my Will that the first four mentioned negroes, named Nero, Bine, Seburn and Harry with all their Increase, to return and be divided among my surviving children with my two Grand Children. Frances Janett and David Williams Davis Share and Share alike Last I do nominate and appoint my son Henry and my friend John C. Davis my Executors to this my last Will and testament. Witnefs my hand and Seal this 21 of July in the year of our Lord 1823 in the forty eight year of American Independence.
 
Signed Seal 'd and acknowledged)                              Kezia Roberts {Seal}
in the presence of}
Thos G Britton}
Wm H Greaves}
John C. Davis}

The State of South Carolina} By Edw. B. Wheeler,  
                       Marion District}  Judge of the Court of ordinary John C. Bevis personally appeared before me and made oath that he was present + saw the within named Testator Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare the instrument of writing to be and contain her last Will and Testament and that she was then of sound  and disposing mind and memory to the best of this deponents knowledge and belief and that Thos. G. Btitton and W. H. Greaves were subscribing witnefs to the same with himself in the presence of each other and in the presence of the testator.
Sworn to before me 9th Sept. 1827                                 John C. Davis
Edward B. Wheeler Ord’y
                 Recorded June 12, 1829 
 

David Davis is my 1st Cousin 6 times removed.







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[1] Marion District, South Carolina, Will Books:#1, page 200 LAST WILL OF KEZIA ROBERTS; Probate Office, Marion, Marion County, South Carolina. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PT-29ZX-9?i=125&cat=391278