Will of James Beamer, of Stono River, Colleton County, joiner, who was about to take a voyage from Carolina to Barbadoes and return, made the 13th day of the nth. month of 1687, proved before Governor Smith, March 14, 1694 gave his two sons, John and Jacob Beamer, all of his real and personal property, not otherwise disposed of, to be equally divided between them when they should become of age; gave "son in law, Joseph Tatnell, six head of female cattle", to be given him when he should become of age; appointed wife, Margaret Beamer, sole executrix and directed that his estate remain in her custody until his sons should become of age and she remain unmarried, but in case of her marriage then she was to enjoy only one third of it during her natural life and at her death it was to return to the sons; appointed Thomas Bolton, merchant, and John Cowin, planter, guardians of his children and overseers of his will and gave each a shilling with which to buy gloves; directed his executrix and overseers to have his children "educated & brought up to ye: best learning can be taught in this Province, as reading, writing & ArethrrtBtique."
Witnesses: Joseph Morton, Thomas (Bolton, Edward Rawlins. Robert Hull. Thomas Chamberlayne.
Recorded by Paul Grimball, Secretary, March 19, 1694.
Letters of administration with the will annexed and warrant of appraisement were granted to Margaret Beamer by Governor Smith, March 17. 1694.
(Page 123.)
March 12, 1693/4, Landgrave Smith "Governor: & Councill Sitting as a Generall Court att Charles towne" received the last will of James Beamer and, after debate, gave as judgment that the widow should have the administration of the said estate, with the will annexed. Accordingly on March 17, Governor Smith issued to Margaret Beamer letters of administration with the will annexed.
(Page 125.)
March 17, 1693/4, Governor Smith appointed James Stanyarne, John Stanyarne, Ralph Emms, James Gilbertson and Daniel Courtis, appraisers of the estate of James Beamer.
(Page 126.)
March 17, 1693-94, Margaret Beamer, executrix and administratrix of the last will and testament of James Beamer, deceased, Col. Joseph Blake and James Stanyarne, all of Colleton County, executed a bond to Governor Smith in the sum of £2000. for the faithful performance by said Margaret of the trust of executrix and administratrix.
Witness: Jo. Hamilton.
(Page 122.)
