Over the past 40+ years land deeds have contibuted significantly to solving many family compositions and connections. They are a signicant portion of my research.
William Riley Eddins is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle. His eight and final child was a daughter. The 1870 census showed her name to be Mary Q. Eddins.
This land deed provided her middle name and proved her full name to be Mary Italy Eddins and confirmed she was a minor as the census indicated.
Mary Italy Eddins married William E. J. Warren on 7 Fenruary 1878 in Wilcox County, Alabama. No record had been found of her after this date. On 27 May 1883, William E. J. Warren married Joanner M. Bell in Monroe County, Alabama.
William Riley Eddins exceuted several of these deed for his minor children. He was concerned and meant to see that after his demise that his minor children were educated thus the purpose of these deeds.
"hold to the said R. H. Eddins his heirs and assigns forever, as trustee as aforesaid for the use benefit and behoof of my dearly beloved minor children, William R. Eddins, Jr. and Mary Italy Eddins, the issues, rents and profits of the said lands and personal property to be applied to the Education maintenance and support of my said Minor Children after my death,"
He named his son, Rilah Harrison Eddins, as Trustee for the minor children but for some reson lost faith in his son, and named Dr. David Adams to carry out and perform the said trusts as set forth in the foregoing conveyance...
474_ W. R. Eddins to R. H. Eddins
State of Alabama}
Wilcox County}
Know all men by these presents that I, William R. Eddins Sr. of the County of Wilcox and State of Alabama for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have for my hereinafter named minor children, and also for the sum of One dollar to me in hand paid by Rilah H. Eddins of the same State and County the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, do by these presents give grant, alien, Enfeoff, confirm and convey unto the said Rilah H. Eddins, trustee as herein after Set forth the following described lands and personal property to wit:
the South ½ of the East ½ of the South East ¼ of Section Seven T. Ten, R. Eleven - the South End of the South End of the N. E. ¼ of the S. W. ¼ Section Eight T ten Range Eleven, the South End of the N. W. ¼ of the S. E. ¼ Each said South and Containing twenty acres more or less, Each in Section Eight T. ten, R. Eleven, the N. E. ¼ of the S. W. ¼ of Section Eighteen, T. ten, R. Eleven and the S. E. ¼ of the S. W. ¼ of Section Eight, T. ten, R. Eleven, also two cotton Gins, one horse grist Mill and one law? for cleaning small grain one Wagon & Yoke of Oxen, all situate lying and being in the County of Wilcox and State of Alabama, together with all the privileges and appurtenances to the Said lands and personal property in any wise appertaining and belonging and also all the Estate rights, titles, and interest whatsoever of him the Said William R. Eddins, Sr. Either in law or Equity of in & to the above conveyed premises and Every part and parcel thereof to have and to hold to the said R. H. Eddins his heirs and assigns forever, as trustee as aforesaid for the use benefit and behoof of my dearly beloved minor children, William R. Eddins, Jr. and Mary Italy Eddins, the issues, rents and profits of the said lands and personal property to be applied to the Education maintenance and support of my said Minor Children after my death, untill such time as the said William and Mary will be authorized by law, to take the legal Estate in the Legal Estate in the said property where it is to be divided Equally between them - Provided that this deed is not to take effect untill after my death.
In witness whereof I have have <sic> hereunto set my hand and seal this the 29th day of July 1866.
Witnesses} W. R. Edding {seal}
J. Henderson} Nancy Eddins Henry Eddins {seal}
W. E. Cook}
State of Alabama}
Wilcox County} I James L. Grace and acting Justice of the peace in and for said County hereby Certify that William R. Eddins and Nancy Eddins, his wife whose names are signed to the foregoing conveyance (Pg 475) and who are known to me, acknowledged before me on this day that being informed of the contents of the contents of the said Conveyance they Executed the same voluntarily on the day the same bears date and that the said Nancy Eddins being by me privately Examined apart from her husband, acknowledged that she Examined the said deed freely without any fear threats or compulsion of her said husband. Given under my hand this the 29th day of July 1866.
Jas L. Grace J. P.
State of Alabama}
Wilcox County} I William R. Eddins, Sr. whose name is Signed to the foregoing conveyance not having delivered it to the said R. H. Eddins trustee therein named, and distrusting his ability to discharge and perform the trusts therein set forth; do hereby recall and revoke his appointment and power as such trustee as aforesaid and do nominate and appoint in his stead Dr. David Adams to carry out and perform the said trusts as set forth in the foregoing conveyance,
In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal this the 1st day of October 1866.
Witnesses W. R. Eddins {seal}
J. Henderson Nancy X her mark Eddins {seal}
W. E. Crook
State of Alabama} I, H. R. Gordon Judge of the Court Wilcox County} of Probate in and for said County, hereby certify that the foregoing conveyance was this day filed in my office for record, and that the same was Stamped with U. S. R. Stamps to the amount of Fifty Cents, Given under my hand this 8th day of Novr 1867.
H. R. Gordon
Judge of Probate
William Riley Eddins is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.
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Deed Book "P", page 464-465; Wilcox County, Alabama
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSPL-13WW-Q [Image 591 of 875]
