Person:Jesse Connell (8)

Jesse Connell appears on a list certified by the Secretary of State of Georgia, as a revolutionary war soldier from Georgia. Certificates of Service in the American Revolution, on file in the Office of the Secretary of State of Georgia, include the following: "Connell, Jesse. On certificate of Col. E. Clark, 7th April, 1784. Entitled to bounty, and prays for 2871/2 acres in Washington Co." It is believed that he served under Col. Elijah Clarke, who certified his service.

Jesse Connell was listed as a member of the first grand jury of Greene County, which was formed in 1785.

Jesse Connell was assessed tax in Capt. Winne's District, near or on the Ogeechee River, on 200 acres of land of 3rd quality, 1 slave and stock in trade valued at $165.

Jesse Connell was assessed tax for 1789 in Captain Benjamin Gilbert's District, on 200 acres of Oak & Hickory land of 3rd quality, 3 slaves and poll tax on one person.

There are two entries for Jesse Connell for 1794, in each case for property located in Captain Butler's District. In the first he was assessed on 250 acres of Oak and Hickory land of 2nd quality. In the second entry he was assessed on 200 acres of Oak and Hickory land of 2nd quality. In both cases he was assessed on 6 slaves.

"The last will and testamant of Jesse Connel dec was proven in open court by the oath of Risdon Moore and Evan Harvey and Robert Owsley one of the nominated Executors duly qualified -- and it is ordered that Risdon Moore, Hardy Jernigan, Wm. H. Matthews, Robert Simms and Sampson Dugger or any three of them be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to appraise the personal estate of the said Jesse Connel decd."

Jesse Connel was assessed tax in Capt Alexanders District, on 200 acres of second quality land in Wilkes county, 1 slave and poll tax on one person.

Jessee Connell assessed tax in Captain John Thomas's District for 250 acres in Greene County of 2nd quality, adjoining property of John Lamar, near Shoulderbow, and on on 3 slaves.

"In the name of God Amen. I Jesse Connel of the state of Georgia and Hancock County, being weak and in low health but of sound memory and judgement, calling to
mind the uncertainty of life, for the better setting of my worldly affairs and for the disposing of such property as it has pleased God to bless me with, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following --

First my will and desire is that all my just debts be paid by my Executors herein after named -- I give and bequeath to my wife Penelopy Connel my dwelling plantation whereon I now live, containing by enternation four hundred acres with my houses & improvements of every kind during her natural life or until my son Newdy Connel arrives to the full age of twenty one year at which time should my wife be then living, she is to give him two thirds of the aforesaid tract of land retaining to herself one third part of the aforesaid tract to be laid off as she may then choose to be hers during the remainder of her natural life and at her death that with the other two thirds to the property of my son Newdy Connel to him and his heirs forever.

Also I give and bequeath unto my wife Penelope five negroes namely Will, Sarah, Dieca, Luke and Dinah during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between my children after paying to my daughters Betsy Askew, Polly Simmons, Sally Connell, and Ann Connell the sum of one hundred dollars each --

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Betsy Askew, two negroes now in her possession by the names of Hagar and Candes all one bed & furniture and & one horse & saddle
likewise her possession with any other articles here before given & now in her possession --

I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Simms two negros by the names of Bedy & Berry together with one bed and furniture one horse and saddle together with every other article already given her and now in her possession.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally Connel two negros by the names of Edy and Stepricy and one bed & furniture & one horse and saddle & my will and desire is that in case any of the negros given to my single daughters should die before my daughters come of age or marries that one other in the place thereof be given to them by my wife or Executors out of such as may hereafter be born in the family --

I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Connell two negros namely Darius & Milly with one bed & furniture & one horse and saddle --

I give and bequeath to my son William Connell one tract of land containing by enternation one hundred & sixty acres to be conveyed to me or my heirs by John Michael for which I have his bonds, also two negroes by the names of Jack & Dick, one bed & furniture and one horse and saddle, one cow & calf when of age --

I give and bequeath to my son Newdy Connell two negros namely Joseph and Stack, also one bed & furniture & one horse & saddle and one cow & calf --

and I further will and desire that the remaining part of my movable Estate not included or given already in my will should remain on the plantation for the use thereof until the death of my wife at which time I wish it to be equally divided among my children share and share alike --

and I hereby enjoin it on my Executors and heirs that no sale be made of any part of my property but that they divide & receive it agreeable to the true intent and meaning of this my will and should any disputes or misunderstandings arise concerning the meaning of any clause thereof, I will and decree that two or more of my neighbors of reputable characters shall be requested to read & give their construction of my will or any part thereof whose construction shall be final and binding on the parties interested and I further appoint Robert Owsley of Greene Co. and Aaron Woodard of Jackson Co. the Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and no others for the carrying into effect every clause thereof agreeable to the true intent & meaning thereof --
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this first day of April 1805.
[signed] Jesse Connell (Seal)

Signed and sealed, acknowledged & pronounced as the last will and testament of the testator in presence of -
Rordon Moore
Thos. Harvy
Evan Harvey

"An Inventory and Appraisment of the Estate of Jesse Connell, decd. 8th December, 1807", reflecting personal property having a total appraised value of $7898.21.

"Robert Owsley Exor. of Jesse Connell decd. returned an inventory of said decd. amounting to Seven thousand eight hundred and ninety eight dollars twenty one cents."

"Ordered that letters of administration de bonis non with the will annexed on the estate of Jessee Connell decd be granted to Marcus Andrews on his giving bond & security in the sum of eight hundred dollars -- Whereupon the said Marcus Andrews executed the bond directed by the Court with William Lancaster his security, approved by the Court& was duly qualified as Adm. aforesaid & recd. letters in
the premises." See also: Hancock County Probate Minutes 1817-1838, Page 421.

Return of Marcus Andrews, administrator for estate Jesse Connell, deceased, dated November 5, 1827, reflecting expenses paid, as well as a $200 credit for a "tract of land lying on the Rocky fork of Shoulderbone, granted to Joseph Hickman, sold to M. Andrews, March 4th 1827". See also re the same return: Hancock County Probate Minutes 1817-1838, Page 538 - ""Marcus Andrews Admin & ect of the estate of Jesse Connell decd. returned an acc. current of said estate showing a balance on hand of one hundred & forty three dollars 62 1/2 cents which was orderd to be recorded --".

Jesse Connell was assessed tax in Capt. Capt. Butler's District on 200 acres of land of 2nd quality, on the waters of Beaver Dam Creek in Old Hickory, adjoining the lands of J. Cooper, as well as on 7 slaves and one poll. He was also assessed tax in the dame District on 260 acres of land 3rd quality, on the waters of Shoulder Bone Creek in Oak Hickory, adjoining land of J. Jackson.