December 13, 1860
JOHN HARRIS PONDER'S WILL
Georgia, Morgan County
In the name of God, Amen. I, John H. Ponder of the county and state aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and being desirous to dispose of my estate, both real and personal of every nature and kind, do ordain and establish this, revoking all former ones, to be my last will and testament.
First, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Lucy Ponder, the following property to wit: One negro woman by the name of Polly, one negro boy by the name of Calvin, also one by the name of Doc for her sale and special benefit during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided amongst my legal representatives.
2nd, It is my will and desire that the remainder of my estate except one piece of land lying in Cass County GA which my daughter Mary Ann Autry is living on which I intend for her to have to make her equal with the rest of my children all to be sold and equally divided between all of my children.
3rd, It is my wish that the three children of my deceased daughter, Adaline Herst, George, James and William Herst, my grandchildren receive their mother’s share of my estate.
4th, It is my will and wish that the distribitive shares of my daughters shall be for their own use and benefit during their natural lives and at their death to be divided between their bodily heirs.
5th, It is my request that my son, George F. Ponder, shall act as trustee for my daughters to see that the 4th item of my will shall be fully executed.
6th, It is my desire that my son, George F. Ponder, act as my executor to carry out this, my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have here unto affixed my hand and seal this the thirteenth of December, eighteen hundred and sixty.
John H. Ponder