WILL OF BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, Jr.
I Benjamin Williams do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made.
First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed of or may first come into the hands of my Executor.
Secondly, I give and bequeath to Priscilla my beloved wife any horse beast belonging to my estate which she may make choice of also the two choice cows or cows and calves as the case may be as she may choose, two good beds with furniture suitable for them, the cupboard, bureaus and tables as she may choose, six chairs, and a number of articles too tedious to mention both in the house and in the kitchen. This I leave to her own discretion how much or how little she may take together with provisions for her and her little stock sufficient to do her six months. Next, I wish her to have not exceeding four hundred dollars to purchase a lot either in town or in the country, these goods and chattels which may not be consumed during her lifetime or widowhood to be returned back to be equally divided between my heirs.
I next wish my personal property and effects to be sold at public vandue. I also wish my land to be sold publicly or privately as my Executor and heirs may think proper. The sales of all those I wish to be equally divided between my heirs with the exception of Polly Walker to have eighty dollars extra over and above the rest, together with my three youngest sons which I wish as soon as possible after my decease to go to school twelve months each in succession, their schooling, board, and clothing to go out of my estate. Then when done school to be put to some light trade which my Executor and other heirs may choose a sufficient time to learn their trade, which I think two or three years to be sufficiently long enough. When arriving at age each of them to have a good coat at a common price together with a horse, saddle, and bridle equal to those received by my other sons.
Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint Farmer Williams my Executor. In witness whereof I do to this my will set my hand and seal, this 7th day of October 1848.
Benjamin Williams (seal)
Signed, sealed and published in our presence and we subscribe our names here in the presence of the testator, this 7th day of October 1848
Attest:
Elliot Jones
Lemuel Jones, Jr.