Lauderdale County, Alabama
Wills of Henry and Abby May
Transcribed and Contributed by Elden May on 6 Oct 2006 and in July 2006
Lauderdale County, Alabama will book.
Will Book #3 - Before 1825
In the name of God Amen. I Henry May of the County of Lauderdale and State of Alabama, being aged and aware of the uncertainty of life and now being of sound and perfect mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament, hereby revoke my all others, Firm. It is my will and desire that after death my body to be decently buried by my executor here after named and the expense there of be paid from my estate by my said executor.
Item 1. I give and bequeath to my loving wife Abey May, during her natural life the entire use of the plantation where on I now live, also one negro man named Gerry, one negro woman named Marry, one bed and furniture of her choice, one horse her choice from my stock of horse, together with all other of my property which is specifically bequeathed or directed to be sold.
Item 2. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Winifred Seal two dollars to be paid by my executor from my estate.
Item 3. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Sally Tomlinson two dollars to be paid by my executor from my estate.
Item 4. I give and bequeath to my loving son James May one negro boy named Ben,
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one stud horse, pray atest also at the death of his mother two old negros Gerry & Mary
Item 5. I give and bequeath to my loving son John May one negro Baynamea Daitor.
Item 6. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Frances one negro boy named Gim
Item 7. I give and bequeath to my loving son Henry May Jr. one bed and furniture. It is further my will and desire that he should [be] no further part of my estate in any way.
Item 8. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Polly ONeale one negro boy named Charley (which has never as yet got).
Item 9. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Judy Clark one bed and furniture, one cow and calf her choice from my stock, one negro girl named Mary.
Item 10. I give and bequeath unto my two grand children Henry ?Tulucfs? and Jaurdon ?Tulucfs?, one negro man named Simon to be equally divided between them by sale of allusion.
Item 11. It is further my will and desire that all my property not herein disposed of be sold by my executor and the money arising therefrom after the payment of all my just debts and the legacies bequeathed, divided among my children now living except my son Henry May Jr. It is also my will and desire that after the death of my wife Abey May that the land and all the property bequeathed to her during her natural life be sold and divided among my children now living except my son Henry May, Jr.
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I except the two old negroes Gerry and Mary which my son James May is to have. I hereby constitute and appoint my son James May my sole executor to this my last will and testament.
In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this
Tenth day of October 1821.
(Sign) Henry May {seal}
In presence of is:
Samuel Craig
Richard Baily
Nelson English (his mark)
This State of Alabama Lauderdale county at 19 March 1824, the forgoing will was duly proven before the jury of the orphans court for said county and ordered to be annuled to probate.
A copy tnt
Recorded 27 March 1824} W. W. Garrad Clerk
Lauderdale County, Alabama will book.
Will Book #5 - 1825 to 1828
Transcribed by Elden May in Sept 2006
(Page 261)
Will of Aby May
In the name of God Amen.
I Aby May of the County of Lauderdale and State of Alabama, being aged and infirm but of sound mind and memory calling to mind the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life and being possessed of some property and feeling a disposition to dispose of the same, do ordain this to be my last will and testament in which I do make the following bequeaths.
That is to say, first it is my will and desire that my body after death shall be decently buried and that the expenses there of shall be paid from my estate.
Item second. It is further my will and desire that the proceeds of the balance of my property be equally divided between my Daughter Judy Nelson Eliza Gunter [Mary May Daughter of James May], [Aby Seal Daughter of Mary
Seal] and [William Tomblin Son of Sally Tomblin], and that my James May My Daughters Sally Tomblin, Frances Gunter and Polly Oneal, are not to have any part of my estate except such as they may desire this by their children as above mentioned.
Lastly it is my desire will and desire that James May [flourish and squiggle] act as my executor.
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of April 1826
In presence of us
Samuel Craig
Wm W Burton
Sarah English
Aby May (X) Her Mark