The State of Mississippi, Marshall County. In the name of God, I William Jones of said County and State, being of frail body and strength and mindful of my mortality, though sound and healthy in mind, do make ordain and establish this my last will and testament.
First, it is my will that my body be decently buried and that all of my burying and funeral expense be paid by my executor hereinafter named as soon as convenient.
Second, I give and bequeath to my son Rufus Jones two thousand dollars in cash, also the following negro slaves, viz. _ Gnew(?) a man, Melissa a girl, Thomas a boy and Lucinda a girl, which said sum of money and negroes my ___ son Rufus has heretofore received from me and is now in possession of. the value of which both in money and negroes I estimate at thirty four hundred dollars.
Third. I give and bequeath to my son Jasper Jones the sum of two thousand dollars, also the following negro slaves viz. Birt a man, Epy a woman, Augustus a boy, which property and money my son Jasper has heretofore received from me and estimated in value of thirty four hundred dollars.
Fourth. I give and bequeath to my son Malsherbes Jones, the South East quarter of section twenty four Township four of Range four west. Also the following negro slaves viz. Robin a man, Jim a boy, and Sandy a boy and Patsy a girl, also three hundred dollars in cash, all of which has been received by my son Malsherbes and estimated at thirty five hundred dollars –
Fifth. I will and bequeath to my daughter Matilda C. Withers the following Negro slaves to wit, Aggy a woman, Louisa a girl, Serra a girl, Margant (Margaret?) a girl, Wade a boy, Dennis a boy, George a boy, and Mariah a girl, all of which said negro slaves my said daughter Matilda C. Withers has heretofore received and is estimated in value at thirty five hundred dollars.
I have estimated the value of negro men herein bequeathed at eight hundred dollars and women, boys and girls at a price in proportion.
It is my will that my son William Lucius and my daughter Elizabeth each receive property in value equal to the amt. that my other children have received from me to be delivered to them in money land or negroes as may be mutually agreed upon between them and their mother, my wife, and to be equal to thirty five hundred dollars to each, at all times estimating likely young negro men at eight hundred dollars, and other negroes at a proportional value.
In the event of disagreement about the value of negroes or other property thus to be given to my two last mentioned children so as to make them equal with those who have heretofore received their property from me, the values shall be determined by two disinterested persons chosen by the children and their mother.
It is my will that my Executor shall pay all the just debts that I may owe at the time of death out of any monies I may die possessed of. It is thus my will that my wife Phalba Jones have all the balance of the estate both real and personal of which I may die possessed. I hereby give and bequeath to her, my wife, all of my land negroes stock, furniture both household and Kitchen, all the farming tools of every description and all the debts and (evidences?) of debts and all and every of my estate either (nat? natural?) or personal except such as is above bequeathed to my several children.
I hereby nominate my son William Lucius Jones Executor of this my last will and testament, and it is my will that he discharges the duties of Executor without entering into bond as is usually required of Executors of law. In case of his inability to qualify as Executor then it is my will that one other of my sons shall become my Executor. The property herein bequested to wife it is my will that she will bequest or otherwise dispose of as she may desire. In witness of which several (persons? promises?) I have signed & sealed this ______ on this the 15th day of August 1851 –
William Jones (signed)
Witness
M B Spinks
S A _____
W Simmons
Filed April 23, 1855
G Waite Clerk
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