Will of John Hardeman

Attachment 9.

Abstacts from
Will of John Hardeman 

(John Hardeman, husband of Ann (Nancy) Collier and son-in-law of Vines Collier, died in 1804 and left a will.  The following is an abstract of the will that is recorded in Oglethorpe County Will Book “A”, pages 137-9.)

I, John Hardeman, of the State of Georgia and the County of Oglethorpe being sick at this time & expecting my approaching end is near do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the manner and form following (to wit). 

Item 1st.  I lend to my loving wife, Nancy Hardeman, all my estate real and personal after my just debts is (sic) paid, during her life, or widowhood under such exceptions as hereafter are pointed out..  first, if my wife marrys (sic) again, my will is that she is to have Jenney, my negro girl.
Also one grey filley got by old Hingham, also a child’s part of the balance of my estate except the Negro and horse property – also it is my will that if my wife should marry again, that my land be sold, on a credit of twelve months –(my Negro woman Rose & her youngest child & such of my horses as my ex’r. hereafter named may think can best be spared, be sold on a credit of six months, so soon as my will is proven & my ex’r. quallifyed) & the money arising from the sale of my personal property applyed to pay my debts.)

Item 2nd.  My will and desire is that my daughter, Betsy, should have my negro girl Sarah when she arives of age or marrys.

Item 3rd.  I give and bequeath to my son, Thomas, at his marrying or coming of age little Peter, my negro boy.

Item 4th.  I give and bequeath to my son, John, at lawfull age or marriage my Negro girl, Polley.

Item 5th.  I give & bequeath to my son, Robert Vines, at lawfull age or marriage My negro girl, Manza.

Item 6th.  I give & bequeath to my son, Ben Franklin at lawfull age or marriage My negro girl, Clary.

Item 7th.   Whereas I expect my wife is now with child, if it be so, my will is that that child be made equal in legacy or legacies with the other of my children above name.

Item 8th.  My will and desire is, that if any any (sic) of the legacies, as is above given away should die, & the heir remain alive that the Legacy so lost may be made to them again.

Item the 9th.  My will and desire is that the property not willed away Both real and personal, at the death of or marriage of my wife be sold & equally divided Between my then remaining children.

Lastly I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Cuthbert Collier my sold Executor to this my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of Feb’y in the year of our Lord, 1804.

John Hardeman        (Seal)

Signed, sealed and
Acknowledged in 
Presents of
M. A. Rainey  )  Recorded 21st
Sally Collier  )  Sept. 1804
Dorithy Raffety       )   M. A. Rainey, C.C.O.C