Submitted by: Ralph & Ruth McConigly    Fri. Jan. 17, 1997

3513 Eagle Rock Dr.  Atlanta, GA 30340  

Edmund Shackelford's Will

Will book L (1816-1821), pages 459-460 12 Jan 1822 County of Elbert State of Georgia

In the name of God, Amen: I, Edmund Shackelford, Sr. of the state and county aforesaid, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this -- my last Will and Testament in manner and form following; that is to say:

First: I will my soul to God who gave it to me trusting He will receive the same through the merits of my Redeemer Jesus Christ; and my body to the dust from whence it came, to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereinafter to be named.

Secondly: It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid in due time and form by my Executors.

Thirdly: I leave all the property which I may die possessed of, both personal and real, to my well beloved wife -- Judith Shackelford, during her natural life.

Fourthly: It is my will that all the property which I now do or may possess at my death, and after the death of my said wife, shall be equally divided between all my children or their heirs, that is to say -- my sons Philip, Edmond, John, Reuben, Jefferson, and my daughters, towit: Nancy Oglesby, Elizabeth Seale, Judith Alexander, Polly Shackelford and Sally Shackelford, upon the condition that John Seale, the husband of my said daughter -- Elizabeth Seale, previous to his receiving any part of my said estate, return the negro boy Trump, which I have loaned him, together with a reasonable hire for the

said boy, from the date of this instrument, to my executors hereafter to be named. And that Mordecai Alexander, the husband of my said daughter -Judith Alexander, shall return a negro boy Jack, which I have loaned him with a reasonable hire for the same, in manner form as expressed relative to the

boy which John Seale has. And that Drury Oglesby return the negro woman Sarah, which I have loaned him, with a reasonable hire in the same manner as before expressed relative to the two boys -- Trump and Jack.

Fifthly: It is my further will and desire that my wife give to each of my children not married and who have not received any advancements, to make them up equal to what the others have received out of my said estate on their marriage or becoming of age as the case may be; and if any of them should remain un-married or un-provided for, at her death, that they shall receive the value of the advancements made to the other part of my children out of my said estate, together with an equal part of the residue of my estate.

Sixthly: It is my further will and desire that my son Jefferson should be educated at the expense of my said estate so far as to understand arithmetic and the English grammar. -

Seventhly: It is my further will and desire that my executor should retain one eighth acre of the land on which I now live, including the graveyard, and pay tax on it for same, and that the same remain unmolested.

Eighthly and lastly: I hereby appoint my beloved wife -- Judith Shackelford, executrix, and my sons Philip Shackelford and Edmund Shackelford and John Shackelford, my executors, to this my last will and Testament; and in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the first day of May, in

the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one. (May, 1, 1821.) State of Georgia) Court of Ordinary, County of Elbert) January Term, 1822.

                Personally appeared in court Joseph Chipman, John, Watson and Jeptha V. Harris,

who being duly sworn, say that they were subscribing witnesses to the within will, that they subscribed the same in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other and that they saw him subscribe and acknowledge the same and that they believe he was of sound and disposing mind at the time he executed the same.

Sworn to in open court this, the eighth day of January 1822.