State of Georgia
Pike County
In the name of God, Amen I, Benjamin Cook of said state and County, being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this life deem it right and proper as it respects my family and my self that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has Helped me do therefore make this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all others heretofore made by me.
1 Item: I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition in life My soul I trust shall return to God who gave it as I hope for eternal salvation through merits and atonement of the ____ Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose religion I have professed and as I humbly trust enjoyed for more than fifty years.
2 Item: I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executors hereafter appointed, as I am unwilling my creditors should be delayed in their rights as there is no necessity for delay.
3 Item: I give bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Sally Cook with whom I have lived in strictest quiet for more than forty years all of lot of land number ninety five in the Eighth district of originally Monroe now Pike County which lies east of the land that runs west of the house wherein I now live and north of a line to be run east and west at the distance of thirty yards south of the chimney of the dwelling house containing sixty acres more or less with the rights members and appurtenances to said lands belonging or or appertaining free from all charges or limitations whatever to her own proper use benefit and behoof forever with full power to dispose of the same at any time previous or by Will or deed at her death as she may think proper. I also give and bequeath to my beloved wife in the same unreserved manner the farming utensils used on the farm on said lands of every description whatever, all the household and kitchen furniture belonging to me at the time of my death one cow and calf as she may select from my stock and all the poultry belonging to my said farm and also one years provision after my death
4 Item: I will bequeath and devise all my estate real and personal (not disposed of in the third item as above to my wife) to my beloved children to wit Jane Brown, Wiley Cook, Dudley Cook Allen Cook Thomas Cook Delila Wright Sally Galloway Polly Harden and my granddaughter Susan Randle Howe to be sold by my Executor in the manner he may judge best and the proceeds divided equally among them.
5 Item: I hereby constitute and appoint my worthy friend Luke Brown Executor of this my last Will and testament this 30th day of July 1855.
Benjamin (his X mark) Cook (L.S.)
Signed sealed declared and published by Benjamin Cook as his last Will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers who subscribed our names here to in the presence of said Testator at his special instance and of each other this 31st day of July 1855.
James F. Buckaloo
W. T. Williamson
Benjamin F. Brown
Columbus C. (his mark) Watts
State of Georgia
Pike County
Whereas I Benjamin Cook did on this thirtieth day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty five sign seal declare and publish my last will and testament in presence of James F Buckaloo W J Williamson Benjamin F. Brown & Columbus C Watts who signed the said Will and testament as witnesses and whereas I am desirous of changing the appointment of Executor in said Will, I therefore make and publish this Codicil to said Will
First I revoke item fifth so far as relates to the appointment of my friend Luke Brown as my executor and I hereby constitute and appoint my beloved son Thomas Cook Executor of my last will and testament This March 12 1856.
Benjamin (his X mark) Cook L.S.
Signed sealed declared and published by Benjamin Cook as the codicil to his will and testament of the thirtieth day of July Eighteen hundred and fifty five in the presence of us the subscribers who subscribed our names hereto in the presence of said testator at his special instance and request and of each other this March 12th 1856
Jas F Buckaloo
W J Williamson
George D Cook
State of Georgia
Pike County
We James F Buchaloo William J Williamson & Columbus Watts George D Cook do solemnly swear that we saw Benjamin Cook sign seal and heard him publish and declare the writing to be and contain his last will and testament to which is added a codicil and at the time thereof he was of sound disposing mind and memory and that he did it freely without compulsion to the best of our knowledge and belief And we do further swear that we saw Benjamin F Brown sign the same as witness, and that we signed the same in the presence of each other and in the presence of the Testator Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 2rd day of November 1856
J C Beckham Ordinary
Jas F Buckaleu
W J Williamson
George D Cook
C C Watts
State of Georgia
Pike County
I Thomas Cook do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true last will and testament of Benjamin Cook 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 said will so far as his goods and chattels will thereinto extend and the law charges me, and that I will make a true and perfect inventory of all such goods and chattels so help me God Sworn to & subscribed before me this 3rd day of November 1856
Thomas Cook
Joseph C Beckham Ordinary
Recorded November 5th 1856
Joseph C Beckham
Ordinary
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