http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/tuscaloosa/wills/jthomas.txt
Will of Joshua Thomas, Tuscaloosa Co., Alabama
State of Alabama } Know all men by these presents that I
Tuskaloosa County } Joshua Thomas being in a low state of health,
But of sound mind, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in the
following manner and form 'Viz.
1st It is my will that my well beloved wife Rebecca have the proper use of all
my estate both real and personal, after the following provisions made in this
Instrument be duly attended to as follows:
1st, that my said wife proceed to sell so much of my perishable estate as will
be sufficient to pay all my just debts. 2nd, She is hereby empowered to proceed
in the most adviseable way she can to scholl and rase my two youngest children
that are now with her, namely Fatima and John. 3rd, It is my will the if said
Fatima and John either come of age or marry before my said wifes death, then or
in either case to have thre equal share of my perishable estate that may then be
remaining after all the following provisions of this will having been complied
with. 1st, I give to my daughter Nancy Standley all that property that I have
heretofore handed out to her. I further give her fifty cents to be paid out of
my estate.
2nd, I give my son Jeremiah Thomas all the property that I have heretofore
handed out to him and I also give fifty cents to him.
3rd, I give to my son Clay(?) Thomas all the property that I handed out to him
and the further sum of fifty cents.
4th, I give to my daughter Martha Weatherington all the property that I have
heretofore handed out to her and the further sum of fifty cents.
5th, I give to my daughter Mary Craton all the property that I have heretofore
handed out to her and the further sum of fifty cents.
6th, I give to my daughter Margaret Morris(?) all the property that I have
heretofore handed out to her and the further sum of fifty cents.
It is further my will that my said wife Rebecca be Executrix to this my will and
that she have full priviledge and use of all my estate not heretofore give away
or provided for during her natural life then to be divided as follows 'viz. 1st,
As I consider I have given all my sons that have left me an eighty dollar horse,
one cow & calf each. Further I have given my daughters that have left me one cow
and calf and one bed and furniture each, now it is my wish that my dauther
Fatima when coming of age or on her marriage have one cow and calf and one bed
and furniture to make her equal with my other daughters, and that my son John on
his coming of age or marriage have one eighty dollar horse and one cow and calf
to make him equal to my other sons. It is further my wish that at my wifes death
that the two half quarters of land where I now live be equally divided between
my daughter Fatima and my son John provided they have such sum or sums of money
as my wife may direct them to do each or any of my grandchildren as she may deem
right at her death. But should they fail or either of them to comply with this
part of my will that then and in that case, the part of that one or both that
may fail to comply be sold and an equal division thereof be made to my
grandchildren instead of my children. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal in presence of April 7th 1825.
Witness:
James Baines } Joshua Thomas
John Smith(?) }
Recorded in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, in 'Wills Book 1, 1821-1855', page 32.
The three names with a (?) after them are almost unreadable - the typed name is a best guess.