[ I have placed undecipherable words within "[brackets]". Please excuse
any typos and all errors in transcription, which appeared clear to me, but
may be given an entirely different interpretation by another. This will was
typed as nearly as possible as it was written. The only thing added by
myself were 2 spaces, instead of one, in certain instances for ease in
reading.
Source for this will is LDS Family Center:
Wills of Marion Co, S.C., 1800-1888, Microfilm I.L # 024127, pp. 158-159 ]
Abijah Porter's Will
Page. 158
In the name of God Amen I Abijah Porter of Marion District in the State of
South Carolina being weak in body but of perfect mind and thanks be given
unto God calling to mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is
appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and
testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my
soul unto the hands of Almighty God and my body to the Earth to be buried in
a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting
but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Mighty
power of God and as touching such worldly estates and has pleased God to
blefs me with in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following
manner and form First I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Charity
Porter the plantation wher I now reside lying on [Hewes?] Swamp Little Pedee
and all my household and Kitchen furniture and plantation tools my stock of
hogs and stock of Cattle and a Cart also three negroes named Molly, Benbo and
Chris and their increase during her life and at her death the plantation and
all the personal property above named to be Sold on 12 Months credit and to
be equally divided among my children Jno & James [excepted ?] share and
share alike Also I give to my beloved wife my mare and horse [team ?/Item?)
I give my beloved son John Porter my plantation or tract of land lying on
Big Peedee known by the name Sandy Bluff Also I recommend to my Executor at
Seventeen or 18 years of age to bind him to some good trade that he should
[prefer?] I give and bequeath to my son James Crawford Porter three years
schooling two years at a school in the [county?[ one year certain and more
[ifs, if or is ?] [nesf, or any?)] sufficient at an Academy My plantation
being in Charleston District and my stock of Cattle and hogs in Gum Swamp and
my waggon to be sold on a reasonable credit and my debts to be paid out of it
and the balance to be [afsfsifsunto, assign unto/appropriated?] to the
schooling of James I likewise constitute and ordain my beloved wife Charity
Porter & James Crawford the sole exutors of this my last will and testament
and I do hereby [utterly disallow?] and revoke all and every other will for
ever Executors by me made and ratifying and confirming this to be my last
will and testament In witnefs whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
this 23rd day of Feby in the year of our Lord one thousand 1819 & 43'd of
American Independence Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the
said Abijah Porter as his last will and
Page 159 Abijah Porter's Will Continued
testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of
each other have hereuntoSubscribed our names
William Blue
Gilbert McEachern A Porter (Seal)
(D?) Carmichael J P
South Carolina } Personally appeared before me Thomas Harlee
Marion District } Ordinary of Marion District Gilbert McEachern
who being duly sworn by me on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God sayeth that
he was personally present and saw Abijah Porter Sign Seal publish pronounce &
declare the within Instrument of writing to be his last will and testament
and that the said Testator was then to the best of his Knowledge was then of
sane mind and memory and that he subscribed his name as a witness with
William Blue and [D?] Carmichael in the presence of the Testator & of each
other
Sworn to before me this
4th Novr 1819 Gilbert McEachern
Thomas Harllee Ordinary
Qualified Charity Porter as Executrix
4th Nov 1819 Thomas Harllee
Ordinary
Recorded June 2nd 1829
Copyright © 1996-2005 Victoria Proctor. All rights reserved.
