Bradley County, Arkansas Wills: Henry S. Rawls
Bradley County, Arkansas Wills


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Will of Henry S. Rawls


I, Henry S. Rawls of the County of Bradley and state of Arkansas possessing a sound mind
 and some understanding knowing that ll men must die do ordain and declare this to be my
last will and testament in the following manner To Wit: I hereby appoint my sons Henry 
D. Rawls and James H. Rawls, Executors to carry out the  provisions of this will. First
my debts to be paid and then my personal property to be disposed of as follows.

My wife Margaret D. Rawls to have the following slaves, during her natural life provided
she remains a widow and if she marrys then an equal share with a child. Aaron, commonly
known as big Aaron, Hannah, his mother, Amey his daughter, and Green a boy and two horses
a Buggy, one yoke oxen, five cows and calves, five sows and pigs. One two-horse wagon,
two plows and gears, and provisions to do her and family one year. Three beds and clothing
for the same and I require her to board and take care of our miner children free of charge
until they marry  or become of age. Their schooling to be paid out of my estate and 
charged to the same as an indebtedness.

   A  tract of land to be purchased for my wife and children to live on during her natural
life wherever she may wish. In the event I die without lands, the balance of my negro's
to be equally divided between my living children or their heirs. Eliza Plunkill has a negro
girl worth eleven hundred dollars to be deducted from her full share, and if I give my sons
as they become of age a negro or its equivalent, the same is to be taken off their respective
shares in as to make them all equal in the division. My sons each to have a horse saddle and
bridle worth one hundred and twenty five dollars.

   Each one of my children must pay to my son Jesse G. Rawls one hundred dollars clear of
interest when they become of age which will give him eight hundred dollars over and above
an equal share, this I sesire because he is a cripple. If in the event it is thought unsafe
to own slaves they may be sold and the money deposited in some solvent bank until my children
becomes of age.  This however, must be the last resort, after my wifes death all I  have
given her must be equally devided between my children. If she should die before my youngest
children is of age--in that case, my older children must take care of the younger ones free
of charge.  If I should die before the payment is fully made for the place I have sold in
Bradley County, I desire the money to be collected and enough of it to pay for a smaller
place for my wife and children as she may select, all of my surplus effects about the place,
corn, fodder, mules or horses, cattle, oxen, farming tools, hogs, except such as is disposed
of by this will to be sold and if there should be any negro's that cannot be equaly devided
between my children.  The division of my property to take place as soon as my estate is 
settled up.  I desire the guardian for my younger children to make annual settlements and
annual collections of principal and interests  and loan at interest all moneys they may have.

    If it should be thought advisable the negros that may fall to the log of the miner heirs
may be worked upon the plantation that my wife lives upon or they may be hired out, as 
circumstances may best indicate to their guardians.

    In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and affixed my seal this the first day 
of February 1861.

Henry S. Rawls     {seal} 

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.


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