Will of William Goodlett - Greenville County, SC - 1835
WILL OF WILLIAM GOODLETT
In the name of God Amen.I William Goodlett of the State of South Carolina and district of Greenville being in my usual state of health and of sound mind, memory and understanding do make and ordain this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills heretofore by me made.
1.I give and bequeath unto my wife Nancy Goodlett during her natural life time the following property to wit:The land and plantation whereon I now live together with all my stock of horses, cattle and hogs; all plantation tools; household and kitchen furniture and also the crop of corn, wheat, and provisions which may be on hand at the time of my death also the following negroes, viz, Jude and Elizabeth, Anaca, Sam, Mahala and her child Anaca which said property is to remain in the care and under the management of my executors herein after to be named and after her death to go as herein after bequeathed.
2.I give and bequeath to my grandsons William Goodlett and John Goodlett sons of my son James Goodlett the tract of land and plantation whereon he now lives, it being the upper end of my land on the east side of the river to a conditional line between that and a part which I herein give to the heirs of my son John H. Goodlett the line beginning on the river below the ford and running thence with a cross fence or straight course to the back line and in addition thereto the said James Goodlett has the liberty to ditch and turn the river through two bends which has been pointed out by my orders heretofore which shall be taken as part of the said tract:But it is my will, that my said son James Goodlett shall have the liberty to live on and enjoy all the benefits of said plantation during his and his wife's lifetime, and should my said grandsons die before they arrive to lawful age then the land is to be divided between all the lawful heirs of my said son but if either of my said grandsons be of age at the death of the other he is to have the whole of said land.I also give and bequeath to the heirs of my said son James Goodlett two Negroes Richmond and Milly and increase to be and remain in the possession of my said son James under the superintendance of my executors untill his youngest daughter Martha Carolina shall marry or comes of age, then at that time the said negroes are to belong to my said son James Goodlett.
3.I give and bequeath to my two grandsons Robert Hayne Goodlett and William Choice Goodlett sons of my son John H. Goodlett all the balance of the lower end of my tract of land on the east side of the river to the conditional end of my tract of land on the east side of the river to the conditional line above mentioned to them and their heirs forever also two negroes Jude and her child Elizabeth and should Jude have another child they are also to have that.But if more than one the balance is to fall to the residue of my estate, all the above property to be under the care and management of my executors untill they arrive to lawful age.
4.I give and bequeath to my grandson Benjamin Alston Goodlett son of my son Richard Goodlett all the plantation and tract of land whereon I now live up to a conditional line of that part which I herein give to my son David Goodlett untill my granddaughter Caroline Cleveland shall marry or come of age then the said land to go to my said son Richard Goodlett absolutely forever. I also give to the heirs of my son Richard Goodlett two negroes Jane and Tom with their increase to be and remain in possession of my said son under the superintendance of my executors until my said granddaughter Caroline Cleveland shall come of age then to go to my son Richard forever.
5.I give and bequeath to the heirs of my son David Goodlett all the upper end of the tract of land whereon I now live to a conditional line beginning on Wrights branch on Fosters line, thence down said branch to a fork thence east two rods to a corner, thence a straight line or course to a pair or draw bars at a cross fence thence with said fence to a chestnut stump near a service bush thence straight to the river at the lower end of an island thence up the river to my upper line leaving to the other side of the road the two bends which my son James has the liberty to cut off with a ditch which said ditch shall be the line.Also two negroes Warren and Mary Jane, with her increase the said land and negroes to be and remain under the care and superintendance of my executors during the life time of my said son David and his wife Peggy and then my executors are authorized to dispose of the said land and Negroes in any way they may think best for the benefit of all the heirs of my said son David Goodlett.
6.I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Motlow two negro girls Lydia and Phillis to her and her heirs forever.
7.I give and bequeath to my daughter Emily Long two negro girls Esther and Harriet to her and her heirs forever.
8th.At the death of my wife all the property heretofore given to her together with all the rest and residue of my estate of every kind and nature I wish to be sold or disposed of by my executors as they may think best and to be equally divided between all my children.(viz). James Goodlett, Richard Goodlett, Polly Motlow, Emily Long, and the heirs of John H. Goodlett and David Goodlett the two last portions to remain in the hands of my executors until the heirs shall respectively arrive at age and my executors are cautioned and authorized to retain of the residue of my estate at all times a sufficient sum to pay all my debts and to defray all costs and expences which may arise by lawsuits (if any) in the due execution of this will.
9th.And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Richard Goodlett and my grandson William M. Goodlett executor of my last will and testament.In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 29th day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty five.
William GoodlettL.S.
Signed, sealed and declared to be
his last will and testament in presence
of us.
James M. Crawford
Joseph Robinson
David Blythe
Recorded in Will Book B, Page 149-51
Apt 3, File 196
Probated July 11, 1836
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Hope Coslett Pees