Will of Lewis BelinIn testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this the 19th day of Nov. A.D. 1860. W. Y. McCammon, Clerk State of Arkansas} County of Bradley} I, W. Y. McCammon, clerk of the Circuit Court and Exofficio Recorder within and for said County do hereby certify that the annexed and foregoing instrument of writing is now duly Recorded in Record Book A for wills and testamnets on pages 3 and 4 In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand as such Clerk and official the seal of said Court at office this the 9th day of Dec. A. D. 1860 W. Y McCammon, Clerk Know all men by the presents that I, Lewis Belin of the County of Bradley and State of Arkansas being in good health and of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and Testament here by revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. Item 1st I hereby constitue and appoint John Haris and William H. Wheeler to be the Executors of this my last will. Item 2nd For the purpose of the payment of my debts and expenses of settling my estate and for the support of my family while my estate is being settle I direct that my property shall be kept together on my plantation in charge of my executors for the space of two years from my decease and longer if necessary for the payment of such debts and expenses provided that such debts as may be owing to me shall be first applied to the payment of such debts and expenses. Item 3rd. I give and bequeath to my daughter Charlotte Rebecca Childs, the wife of N. M. Childs the sum of five dollars. Item 4th. I give and bequeath to Francis O. Belin the widow of my deceased son John Belin and to her four children, William H. Belin, Nancy Belin, Jane Belin and John Belin the sum of one dollar each. Item 5th. I give devise and bequeath to my wife, Dorinda Ann Belin all of the lands of which I may die seized and possessed and also all of my household and kitchen furniture except two feather beds and bed furniture. I also give and bequeath unto my said wife Dorinda Ann Belin all of my stock of horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs and also the use of my slaves and their increase so long as she shall remain unmarried and my widow. Item 6th. I give and bequeath to my daughters Margaret A. and Sarah H. Belin each one feather bed and bed furniture. Item 7th. I give and bequeath to my daughters Margaret A. Belin and Sarah H. Belin my son Lewis Belin and to any other children who may be born to me of my wife Dorinda Ann Belin the reversive remainer of my slaves and their increase share and share alike from and after the decease or my marriage of my said wife and if either of said children shall die before arriving at lawful age or marrying, the share of such child shall vest in the survivor or survivors of them and if all of said children shall die without issue then said slaves and their increase shall vest absolutely in my said wife Dorinda Ann Belin. Item 8th. If there be any estate not hereintofore mentioned and remaining as a residue I give the same to my said wife Dorinda A. Belin. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal and publish and declare this to be my last will and testamnet in the presence of the witnesses named below, this First day of May A. D. 1860 Lewis Belin {seal} Signed sealed and published and declared by the said Lewis Belin as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto this 1st day of May, A.D. 1860 C. A. Slaughter J. Gould State of Arkansas} County if Bradley} The above and foregoing instrument of writing was deposited in the office of the Clerk on Monday the 22nd day of April 1861 and opened by me. attest W.Y. McCammon, clerk Before the Clerk in Vacation April 25th 1861 Now on this day comes C. A. Slaughter one of the attesting witnesses whose name appears upon the above and foregoing instrument of writing who bring sworn according to law deposes and says that he saw Lewis Belin the testator in the above will subscribe his name thereto in the presense of both the attesting witnesses who acknowledged and declared the instrument so subscribed to be his will and testament and that he and the other attesting witness both signed their names thereto at the bequest of the testator. C. A. Slaughter Subscribed and sworn to before me W. Y. McCammon, Clerk (Bradley County, Arkansas Will Book B, Page 5) |
Transcribed for the Bradley County Wills page by Ann Ragsdale and made available by Peggy Bowman who went to the courthouse and copied it, and Jann Woodard who shared it.