Gilstrap-GA-1835

Will of John Gilstrap
26 June 1835
Jasper County, GA

Ordinary Office Jasper County

In the name of God Amen - I John Gilstrap of the State of Georgia and County of Jasper being of sound mind and memory, Blessed be Almighty God for the same but knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and publish, this my last will and testament, in manner and form following.
(Viz.)

... 1st I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Catherine Gilstrap all my land and plantation whereon I now live together with the following, Negroes to wit
... big FRANK, EASTER, ANACA, SIMON and JIM, with all my stock of Houses, Cattle, Sheep, and Hogs, Except such parts of my stock as I may herein after direct to be apportioned to my children as named by my Exec, herein named with all my Household and kitchen furniture, Farming utensils etc(?) all for her support during her life or widowhood, after the death or intermarriage of my wife.

... I give to my youngest son Jeremiah Madison Gilstrap all my land aforesaid containing four hundred and fifty acres more or less.
... I give to my son James C. Gilstrap the following named Negroes little FRANK, NICY and CLARK with increase if any.
... I give to my Daughter Agnes J. Gilstrap the following Negroes, CAROLINE, BEN, and REENY, with increase if any.
... I give son Jeremiah M. Gilstrap the following Negroes to wit HECTOR, HANNAH & ANTHONY with the increase if any.
... I give to my youngest Daughter Elizabeth E. F. Gilstrap the following Negroes to wit NANCY, TOM, PERRY,and HESTER with the increase if any.
... I give to my son John B. Gilstrap one Negro boy by the name GEORGE as his entire interest in my estate forever.
... I give to my son James C. Gilstrap one thousand dollars to be raised out of the Negroes and Stock left for the support of my wife Catherine Gilstrap during her life or widowhood as his entire interest in my estate forever.

... Lastly my will and desire is that after the death or intermarriage of my wife Catherine Gilstrap that all the above named Negroes left to my wife for her support as aforesaid be equally divided or so arranged as to remain with my Daughters namely Elmiry H. Walker, Lucindy A. Phillips,  Rocky A. Smith,  Agnes J. Gilstrap,  Elizabeth Gilstrap and rightfully their property and that all my Stock of every kind together with my household and kitchen furniture with all my effects Specifically willed to my children be sold by my Executors hereinafter named and the proceeds after the payment of all my Just Debts be equally divided between my Daughters as above named. -

I hereby appoint my beloved wife Catherine Gilstrap, John B. Gilstrap And James C. Gilstrap my sole Executrix. and Executors to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty five. -

Signed sealed and acknowledged to be his last will and testaments in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the same in the presence of the testator
 (omission corrected by the testator)
... I give my four youngest children as named in this my last will One good bed and furniture, One good horse bridle & saddle, Cow and Calf, some sheep and hogs to each of them.

Test     James Beaty                                    John Gilstrap
         William Sanders
         John Robinson

Jasper County, GA Will Book #2 (also called 13), Page 84
Estate began probating 5 July 1841


My special thanks to Mrs. Nancy Gilstrap Mann  (Ngmann@aol.com) for all of her help.

Contributed by:  gabby@snowline.net "Bill Carter"