Last Will & Testament of
Joseph Bond
I, Joseph M. Bond of State and county, being of advanced age, and knowing that I must shortly depart from this world, deem it right and proper, both as respects myself and my family that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me. I, therefore, make this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking and annulling all others heretofore made by me.
Item first: I devise and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition. My Soul, I trust, shall return to rest with God who gave it, as I hope for Eternal Salvation through the blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, whose religion I have professed & as I humbly trust enjoyed for thirty years.
Item second: I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by Executor hereinafter named, as I am unwilling my creditors should be delayed of their rights especially as there is no necessity for delay.
Item third: I give and devise to my beloved wife, Mary Ann, with whom I have lived in the strictest quiet and love for forty two years, part of land Nos. (9), (10), & (23) in the Eighth district of originally Coweta and now Campbell County containing two hundred and fifty acres more or less, about one hundred acres of which are cleared and in cultivation, with all the rights, members and appertenances to said land in any wise appertaining or belonging, free from all charge or limitation whatever; to her own proper use, benefit, & behoof forever, with full power to dispose of the same at any time before or at her death as she may think proper. I also give and bequeath to my wife in the unreserved manner, the farming utensils used on and belonging to the said plantation of every description whatsoever, all the stock, mules, cattle and hogs and sheep, all of my interest in the crop now made and being gathered, on said plantation, all the household and kitchen furniture, also the two horse wagon, all without reserve or limitation.
Item fourth: I constitute and appoint my worthy friend J.T. Davenport Executor to this my last will and testament this Sept 24th 1870.
J. M. Bond [seal]
Signed, sealed, declared and published by Joseph M. Bond, as his last will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers who subscribed our name hereunto in the presence of said Testator and of each other this Sept 24th 1870.
James L. Irwin
Robert Mayfield
R.R. Bond
Wm. D. Bond
Campbell Court of Ordinary
August Adjourned Term 1873
The will of Joseph M. Bond being produced in open court for probate, by the Executor, who has applied for leave to prove the same, and two of the witnesses to said will, R.R. Bond and Robert Mayfield, having subscribed the following affidavit, included on said will: August adjourned Term, 1873 of Campbell Court of Ordinary; came into open court R.R. Bond and Robert Mayfield & being duly sworn depose that they saw Joseph M. Bond sign and publish the within, as his last will and Testament, while of sound & disposing mind; that they witnessed the same for him at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other; and that the same was executed voluntarily by him, on the day it purports to have been executed and do further swear that we saw James L. Irwin & William D. Bond sign the same as witnesses in the presence of Testator. Sworn & subscribed before me in open court August 5th 1873.
R.C. Beavers, ordy R.R. Bond
R. Mayfield
State of Georgia
Campbell County} Campbell Court of Ordinary
August Adjourned Term 1873
I, J. T. Davenport, do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true last will of the within named Joseph M Bond decd so far as I know or believe, and that I will well and truly execute the same by paying first the debts, and then the legacies contained in the said will as far as his goods & chattels will thereunto extend and the law charge me; and that I will make a true and perfect inventory of all such goods & chattels, so help me God.
Sworn to & subscribed before me in open court this August 5th 1873.
R.C. Beavers, ordy Jas. T. Davenport
Source: Campbell County, Georgia, Wills, Book B, pages 69-70, FHL microfilm #0409,880
