Person:Aaron Campbell (3)

Last Will Testament of Aaron Campbell Jr.

• Aaron Jr.'s Will filed in Bibb Co. Alabama 4 July 1857

'I Aron Campbell of the State and County aforesaid being of sound disposing mind and memory do make ordain and publish this to be my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time heretofore made.

1st I give and bequeath to my daughter Elmina Davenport, wife of Wilson Davenport, one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, one sow and pigs and other household furniture at the value of one hundred dollars which I delivered to her at her marriage.

2nd I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Cobb wife of James Cobb one feather bed and furniture and other household furniture, one cow and calf, one sow and pigs valued at one hundred dollars which I delivered to her at her marriage.

3rd I give and bequeath to my son Alva Campbell two horses one feather bed and furniture and one cow and calf valued at one hundred and eighty dollars which I have delivered to him at and before his marriage.

4th I give and bequeath to my daughter Millissa [?] one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf to be delivered to her at my death.

5th I give and bequeath to William Young Nix son of my deceased daughter Melena Nix one hundred dollars in money to remain in the hands of my Executrix and to be managed for the said William Young Nix by my Executrix during her life time or unti l the said William Young Nix arrives at the age of Twenty years old. My said Executrix paying as accounting to the said William young Nix for the annual Interest on the said one hundred dollars at the rate of eight percent the interest commencing on the first day of January next proceeding the probate of this will -

6th I give and bequeath to my daughter Malona Rasberry wife of William Rasberry one feather bed and furniture and other household furniture and one cow and calf valued at sixty dollars which I delivered to her at her marriage.

7th I give and bequeath to my son Lawson one chesnut sorrell horse which I have delivered valued at forty dollars, and at his marriage I will that he has one feather bed and furniture one cow and calf to be delivered to him by my Executrix

8th I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha Campbell all the rest and residue of my property both real and personal or [?] My real estate consisting of about four hundred and thirty acres and the following negro slaves - Letty Soe Mallison , Otisia Bedy Phivaley, John Andrew Printick, Margaret Turner, Mary Jane and her two children Balm and M[?] Harriet Mariah and Lawrance and all my horses hogs cattle sheep goats and household and kitchen furniture and all the farming tools and implements of husbandry to have and to hold the said negroes with the future increase of the familys thereof and real estate of her own use and benefit during her natural life and that my said wife Martha Campbell is authorized to dispose of said property by grant deed, will, sale or otherwise as she may think proper and her title to the same shall be good so far as she may sell or dispose of any of the property to any other person after my decease.

9th I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my wife Martha Campbell my sole Executrix of this my last will and testament in witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 4th day of July AD 1857'.

Signed Sealed published and declared in the presence of us

Andrew Smitherman,

Aaron Campbell (seal)

James C. Garaner

Jno W. Suttle."

• All Aaron's living daughters and their husbands contested the will and requested a jury to adjudicate. On the day set for the hearing, William Green Rasberry and his wife, Malonia Astoria Campbell Rasberry, requested that their names be removed as contestants to the will. This request was granted. The will stood as valid and the other sisters and their husbands had to pay all court costs: Alabama State Records, Vol. 225 (Gandrud) p. 30.

p. 787. Contest of the will of Aaron Campbell by his heirs, James Cobb and wife Elizabeth, Alfred Palmer and wife Melissa, Wilson Davenport and wife Elmina; guardian ad item appointed for William Young Nix; William Rasberry and his wife Melona withdrew from the contest, which was heard March 31, April 1, 2, 3 [Year not shown, apparently 1858]. The will was established and costs assessed against the complainants. The heirs were named as daughter Elmira the wife of Wilson Davenport, daughter Elizabeth the wife of James Cobb, son Alva Campbell, daughter Melissa Palmer, William Young Nix son of deceased daughter Mel[v]ina Nix who is under 21, daughter Melona Rasberry wife of William Rasberry, son Lawson Campbell. Wife Martha Campbell for life; she the sole executrix. Dated 4 July 1857 and witnessed by Andrew Smitherman, James C. Gardner, and John W. Suttle."