State of Georgia
Thomas County
In the name of God Amen.
I Kindred Braswell of said State and County being of sound and disposing mind and memory but being mindful that I must soon die and desiring to dispose of my property in such manner and to such persons as I desire may inherit it I do make this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills made by me,
First I will and desire that all my just debts be paid as soon as convenient after my death by my Executors.
Second I will and desire that my son Merideth Braswell have one seventh part of all my Estate forever.
Third I will and desire that my son Samuel Braswell have one seventh part of all my Estate forever.
Fourth I will and desire that my son Caswell Braswell have one seventh part of all my Estate forever.
Fifth I will and desire that my daughter Fanny Parramore wife of Adam Parramore have one seventh part of all my estate for and during her natural life her sole and separate use free from the debts and contracts of her present or any future husband and at her death to be equally divided between her children.
Sixth I will and desire that my daughter Alsey White wife of Joseph White have one seventh part of all my estate for and during her natural life for her sole and sparate use free from the debts and contracts of her present or any future husband and at her death to be equally divided between her children.
Seventh I will and desire that the children of my deceased son Simeon A. Braswell to wit: Randolph Henry and Merideth Braswell have one seventh part of all my Estate forever.
Eighth I will and desire that the children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth Ferrell to wit: Zilpha and Eunice Ferrell have one seventh part of all my Estate forever.
Ninth It is my will and desire that if any of my children should die without issue or if any of my Grandchildren to whom I have devised and given a portion of my Estate should die without issue that their their [sic] portion should go to the survivors according to the division here made.
Tenth It is my will and desire that all my Estate real and personal and all my money debts and effects be divided into seven parts and given and divided between and among my children and grandchildren as I have above divided.
And it is further my will and desire that the portion or part of my Estate that I have given to my two daughters for the lives [intelligible] and enjoyed by them and for their maintenance and during their lives without the hindrance or control of their husbands and at their deaths to be equally divided among their children if they should leave any and if not then it be divided equally amount my surviving children and the issue of such as may be dead.
Eleventh I nominate constitute and appoint my three sons Merideth Braswell, Samuel Braswell and Caswell Brasswell my Executors of this my last Will and Testament. And I also appoint them Trustees for my daughter Fanny Parramore and Alsey White to protect their interests in my Estate and hold it for their use during their lives. And I further constitute them Guardians during the minority of my three grandsons Randolph Henry and Merideth Braswell and my grandaughters Zilpha and Eunice Ferrell.
Twelfth It is my desire and wish that if it should be necessary to employ and have counsel by my Executors they should employ Carleton [initial illegible] Cole if his services can be obtained.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of May 1853.
Kindred (his x mark) Braswell
Signed and published by the said Kindred Braswell as his last Will in our presence and we have subscribed the same as witnesses in the presence of the Testator and in the presence of each other.
(signed) E. G. Ponder
(signed) Josiah J. Emmett
(signed) D. W. Brandon
I Kindred Braswell do desire to make the following codicil to my Will as above written.
Having married and being desirous of providing for my wife in the event she should survive me I do here now publish the foregoing as my last Will and Testament and o make and publish this codicil to my will - to wit: It is my will and desire that my Executors do pay to my present wife Ester Braswell three hundred and fifty dollars annually during her life or widowhood - this said three hundred and fifty dollars to be a charge upon my estate and to be paid in equal portions by my seven heirs or legatees.
Kindred (his x mark) Braswell
The above codicill and the above will signed acknowledged and published by the said Kindred Braswell as his last Will in our presence and we signed the same as witnesses in his presence and in presence of each other this 2nd of December 1863
(signed) Isaac W. Mitchell
(signed) Donald McLean
(signed) S. Alex Smith
Thomas County, Georgia Wills Book H, pp. 174-176
Contibuted by David Michael Elkins