The Last Will and Testament of David Hunter - presented by Genealogy Trails

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LAST WILL & TESTAMENT
of
DAVID HUNTER
OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
DATE: Sept. 2, 1854
Transcribed by Bonnie Clark

First; I, David Hunter do hereby forever release and discharge my only slave, Emily now in said city of New Orleans, from all further service to my heirs or representatives or any person whatsoever, as a slave, and do hereby give to my said slave her freedom, and do hereby direct my Executors immediately after my decease to execute to said slave Emily her papers of emancipation in due form of law.

I further direct my Executor to pay all expenses of said emancipation, and to assist the said Emily, as she may need, to remove to any State or Country to which she may desire to go to enjoy her said freedom, and to pay to her in addition thereto the sum of Two Hundred dollars, which sum I hereby bequeath to the said Emily.

Second, I hereby give and bequeath to John Daughtery two (2) promissory notes, to -wit: One note for Two hundred dollars upon Lewis Werner in the city of new Albany, Indiana and one note or order for fifty one dollars, more or less, due to me from the Estate of one Parson, or some similar name of Troy in Perry County, Indiana, and I hereby direct my Executor to collect and pay to said John Daughtery said notes or note and order, as the case may be.

Third, I do give and bequeath unto Maria E.G. Meyer, the present wife of John E. Meyer, the sum of One Hundred and fifty dollars, in addition to all her reasonable charges for taking care of and nursing me in my last illness, which charges and sum I hereby direct my Executor to pay to said Mrs. Meyer out of the first money which shall come to his hands.

Fourth, I hereby direct my Executor to pay all my debts as soon after my decease as the same may be done, and expenses of my last illness, and my funeral expenses, and I desire him to have my body interred in a respectable, but not extravagant manner, and to have a neat and appropriate tomb stone placed at my grave.

Fifth, I hereby give and bequeath unto Michael Daughtery, Three Hundred dollars, which I hereby direct my Executor to pay to him.

Sixth, I hereby give and bequeath unto Thomas Matthews and William D. Cooper, both of the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, all my residue of my Estate, after the full payment of all the bequests and charges hereinbefore made, to be divided equally, share and share alike, between said Mathews and Cooper.

Seventh, I do hereby appoint, ordain and constitute John E. Meyer, of New Albany, Indiana, and William D. Cooper aforenamed, Executors of this my last Will & Testament, and it either of said persons shall decline said trust, then I hereby make and ordain the other sole Executor of the same.

In witness whereof, I, David Hunter have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of September, A.D. 1854.
Signed, David Hunter (seal)

Signed, sealed and declared by the said David hunter to be his last Will & Testament, in the presence of us, who in the presence of each other and by request of said Testator have subscribed our names hereto as witnesses.
Signed, Michael C. Kerry of New Albany, IN.
Sam'l H. Owen of New Albany, IN

State of Indiana, Floyd County}
Samuel H. Owen and Michael c. Kerr, being duly sworn, say that they are subscribing witnesses to the last Will & Testament of David Hunter, deceased, that said Will was duly executed, that said Testator was competent at the time of writing and making the same to devise his property, and that the said last Will & Testament was made by said Testator without any coercion from any person whatsoever as affiant verily believes.
Signed, Michael C. Kerr
Sam'l H. Owen

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3rd day of October A.D. 1854.

Witness my hand and the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County hereto affixed the day and year last above written.
Signed, Salem P. Towne, clerk (seal)

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT
of
JEFFERSON DAVIS
OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
DATE: Dec. 6, 1889
Transcribed by Janice Rice

I, Jefferson Davis, of the County of Harrison and State of Mississippi, being of sound and disposing mind, but of such advanced age, as to suggest a near approach of death, do make this my last Will and Testament, written with my own hand and signed in the presence of three competent witnesses.

1. I give and bequeath to my wife Varina Davis, all of my personal belongings, including library, furniture, correspondence and the Brierfield plantation (proper) with all its appurtenances, being and situated in the County of Warren, State of Mississippi, and being the same on which we lived and toiled together for many years from the time of our marriage.

2. I give and bequeath to Mary Routh Ellis of Philadelphia, Penn., all of my right, title and interest in and to the 'Elliston' plantation, being and situated in the Parish of Tensas, State of Louisiana, the same being the place on which her Father resided. "

3. I give and bequeath to Mary Ridgely Dorsey, eldest daughter of William H. G. Dorsey, of Howard County, State of Maryland, all of my right, title and interest in and to the 'Limerick' plantation, being and situated in the Parish of Tensas, State of Louisiana, viz. the interest in and to so much of said plantation as was the property of the late Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey.

4. I give and bequeath to my daughter Varina Anne Davis, all the other property, real, personal and mixed, which was inherited by me from Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey, deceased, and of which I may die seized and possessed.

5. To my wife, Varina Davis, and to my daughters Margaret Davis Hayes, and Varina Anne Davis, as residuary Legatees, I give and bequeath all the property real, personal and mixed of which I may die seized and possessed, and which has not been disposed of by the preceding articles.

6. I appoint my tried and true friend Jacob U. Payne, of New Orleans, La. and my son in law, J. A deli son Hayes, Jr., of Memphis, Tenn. Executors of this my last Will and Testament, they to serve without bond, and to have immediate seizure and possession of all my property cotemporaneously with the happening of my death, and to each I delegate the power to select and appoint his successor, to take effect in the contingency of the death of either, before the affairs of the estate have been finally settled.

" In testimony whereof this Will written by my own hand is signed on the day and date below written, and in the presence of Frank Kennedy, R. W. Foster and A. Evans. " JEFFERSON DAVIS