LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
OF DRURY BREWER
September 18, 1845
State of Georgia, Morgan County:
In the name of God, Amen. I, Drury Brewer of the county and state aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory and calling unto mind that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make, ordain and constitute this my last will and testament and with the following form and exceptions. That is, first I recommend my soul to Almighty God who gave and my body to be buried in a decent Christian like manner. Secondly, I will and desire is that my just debts be paid. Item third: My will and desire is that I bequeath unto my wife Aribellah Brewer five negroes to wit, Ryal, Lydia, Jim, John, Dinah, and that at my wife’s death, Dinah with the increase is to revert back into my estate and to be given to my Grand child Andrew Jackson Brewer, son Alfred Brewer and it is my will and desire at my wife’s death that the four negroes left her, as above, go to William Jefferson Brewer and if he should die before he marrys or hasent (?) the four negroes Ryal, Lydia, Jim and John with their increase to revert into my estate and be equally divided with all of my children with the exceptions hereinafter named. And I further give and bequeath unto my wife three hundred acres of land more or less left where on I now live with one feather bed, head and furniture our bay mare.
Item fourth. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Francis, wife of Joseph Brewer and the heirs of her body and no others, three negroes to wit Jack, John, Aleg with their increase and it is expressly understood that Joseph Brewer is not to have any claim or ownership over them or any property that may come from my estate of any kind or description whatsoever. Item fifth, I give and bequeast unto my son Alfred Brewer one negro man name Wile, one negro woman name Sarah and the two lot of land he disposed of as his share.
Item sixth, I give unto my daughter Sarah, wife of Arrington Harper, four negroes to wit Nacy, Betsy, Johnston, Stephen and it is expressly understood and my will the above four negroes is left to my daughter Sarah and heirs of her body only, so that Arrington Harper, her husband, cannot control it or spend it. None go to the payments of any of his debts, that has or may contracted. I further give my daughter, Sarah, and the heirs of her body, the place whereon they now live containing. One Hundred and seven acres more or less so long as they may live on said land and on their removing from it, it to be sold and be equally divided among my children with the exceptions as above named.
Item seventh, I give unto you Clarke Brewer a negro boy Calvin and the land he now lives on. Say our lot and the money I have a drawer for him. Say Fourteen Hundred Dollars is all I have to give for his portion.
8th I give unto my son Ethan Brewer our lot of land whereon he now lives and one negro man named Henry now in his possession and at my death two other negroes to wit Tony, Easter.
9th Item. I give unto my daughter Hetty, wife of Thomas Jones one negro man named Elijah, one negro woman named Judy as her share of my estate.
10th Item, I give unto my daughter Delilah, wife of David Patillo, one negro woman named May ,Clelia,Thepher their increase now in their possession, but it is expressly understood that said negroes and increase I give unto my daughter Delilah and the heirs of her body, so that her husband David Pattillo cannot spend nor to be taken for the payment of debts heretofore contracted or that may be hereafter contracted.
Item 11th, I give my son Drewry Brewer, one negro man Isaac now in his possession and at my death two others to wit Epham and Silas and the land which give him and he sold is to be accounted him at fifteen hundred dollars the amount I paid for it as so much of my estate which is all I am able to give him.
Item 12th. I give my son John Brewer the lot of land he now lives on and two negroes now in his possession to wit, Alfred and Mary, and at my death two other negroes, Peter and Simon.
Item 13. I give unto my Elisha Brewer four hundred acres more or less, known as my old place, five negroes, Jesse, Green, Hannah, Emanda, Rewbin and their increase, our Ben Bead Shed and Furniture, two horses and two cows and cowry.
Item 14 It is my will and desire that a negro man Mead at my death be sold, the money be equally divided between my two sons, John Brewer and Elisha Brewer.
Item 16 It is my will and desire that all of my perishable property not otherwise disposed of, stock of all kinds, household and kitchen furniture be sold, and after my debts are paid to be equally divided between my children with the exceptions above stated;
Item 15. It is my will and desire that for the good will and faithful duty of my old Servant Becky that she live with any of my children she may wish.
Item 17. I give unto my two sons Alfred Brewer, Ethan Brewer a negro man named Isaa to be equally divided between them.
Item 18. I hereby nominate and appoint my two sons, Ethan Brewer and Elisha Brewer, my whole and sole executors to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others made by me.
In testimony whereof I have herein set my hand and seal this 18th day of September 1845.
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Signed Sealed and published Drury Brewer
in presence of Mark
Jnv C. Rees
John Megee
A.S. Cowan
Georgia Morgan County. Personally approved in open Court at July term 1847. of the Inferior Court when sitting for Ordinary purposes. John C. Rees, John Megee and A.S. Cowan the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of Drury Brewer late of said county deceased who being duly sworn saith that they saw the testator sign seal and deliver the same as such and that they believe he was of sound and disposing mind and memory at the time and that they subscribed to the same as witnesses in his presence and in the presence of each other.
Sworn and subscribed to
before me this 5th July 1847 John C. Rees
John Megee
A.S. Cowan
F.W. Arnold, C.C.O.
Recorded July 5th 1847
F. W. Arnold, C.C.O.