Will of James Gray (1833)

From Original Copy
1833 James Gray Will Pike Co. Zebulon Ga. Will Bk. B pp 22-24

Written 5-20-1831 Proved Nov. 18, 1833

In the name of God, Amen. I, James Gray, of the county of Pike and the state of Georgia being in good health at 

the present and also of sound mind and disposing memory, taking into consideration the uncertainty of life, and 

knowing that it is ordained for all men to die, have thought proper to make this my last will and testament, and 

by these presents I do make and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills.

FIRST, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary Gray for and during the term of her natural life, all my 

houses and land whereon I now live, together with all my household and kitchen furniture, stock of every kind 

and the following negroes: David, Fanny, King and Eliza.

SECONDLY, I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Elizabeth Jane Winifred Gray, daughter of my deceased 

son James R. Gray the following negroes: Lucy and her child, Catherine. But should the negro woman Lucy have 

any further increase of children during my life, then and in that event, it is not my will or desire that my said 

granddaughter should have such further increase. And it is my further will and desire that should my said 

grandaughter die without any heirs of her body, then and in that event that the said negroes, Lucy and Catherine, 

shall return to and belong to my other legal heirs.

THIRDLY, I give and bequeath to my son, Seaborn B. Gray, the following negroes: Frank and Pinkard.

FOURTHLY, I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Lucinda Gray, alias Lucinda Brown, reputed daughter of 

my son Seaborn B. Gray, the following negro girl, Hannah. And it is my further will and deside that my said 

grandaughter, Lucinda Gray alias Lucinda Brown, die without any heirs of her body, then and in that event the 

said negro Hannah and her increase, shold she have any, are to return and revert back to my legal heirs.

 

FIFTH, I give and bequeath to my son Seaborn B. Gray all my houses and land whereon I now live (after the 

death of my wife Mary) to him and his heirs forever.


SIXTH, I further will and bequeath to my sons, Archibald Gray and John Gray, an equal share each with my 

daughters of all my other property not already disposed of by this will.


SEVENTH, I further will and bequeath to my daughters, Susannah Gray Howe, Elizabeth Daniel and Cynthia 

Mangham and the heirs of their bodies, and equal share each, with my two sons Archibald and John, of all my 

other property not disposed of by this will.

EIGHTH, It is my further will and desire, that after the death of my wife Mary Gray, the property hereby 

bequeathed to her shall be equally divided between my two sons Archibald Gray and John Gray and my three 

Daughters Susannah Howe, Elizabeth Daniel and Cynthia Mangham and the heirs of my said daughters 

bodies__except the land which I have already given to my son, Seaborn B. Gray, after the death of my wife Mary 

Gray.

I do hereby appoint Archibald Gray and Robert Howe my executors of this my last will and testament. In 

testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twentieth day of May 1831. James 

Gray- his seal.

Witnesses:

Allen W. Prior

George Owen

Manning Walton

Georgia-Pike Co. George Owen & Manning Walton

You swear that you saw James Gray sign, seal, publish and declare this writing to contain his last will and 

testament, that at the time thereof he was of sound and disposing mind and memory, and that he did it freely 

without compulsion to the best of your knowledge so help you God. George Owen, Manning Walton


signed) Geo. Owen, Marning Walton
Sworn to and subscribed before witnesses 18th Nov. 1833
John C. Maugham
Lewis Daniel

Georgia } I Archibald Gray do solemnly swear that the writing contains the true Last Will
Pike County } and Testament of the above named James Gray, deceased, so far as I know or
belive and that I will well and truly execute the same by paying the debt + then the legacy contained in the said will thereunto extend + the law charge me. + that I will make a true and perfect inventory of all such goods and chattels so help me God.

(signed) A. Gray
Sworn to and subscribed before us this 18th November 1833
John C. Maugham
Lewis Daniel


Georgie-Pike Co. I Archibald Gray, do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true last will and testament of the above named James Gray, deceased, so far as I know and believe, and that I will truly execute the same by paying his debts and then the legacies contained in the said will as far as his goods and chattels will thereunto extend and the law charge me. And that I will make a true and perfect inventory of all such goods and chattels, so help me God. Archibald Gray

Sworn and subscribed before us this 18th day of Nov. 1833 John Mangham Lewis Daniel

Recorded this 11th day od December 1833 (signed) H.G. Johnson C.C.S.


1833- Dec. 18-Macon Telegraph- James Gray Esq. of Pike Co. 75 years at. age departed on the 20th 

of Nov. "One of the gallant band of heroes who achieved his country's independence."

1833-Dec 22-Georgia } An ok of the preceeding of the execution of the estate of James Gray Sr., decd in Pike County 

dividing the property of said estate among the legatees mentioned in said deceased last will which was done by 

mutual consent of said legatees on 22 December 1833 in the following manner (to wit) Archibald Gray drew the 

following negroes viz/ King + Hierry, it being an equal share valued at $953.00. John Gray drew Harry, Mariah + 

Steven valued at $953.00 his equal share. Susannah Howe drew David + Eliza valued at $953.00. Elizabeth Daniel 

drew Jim, Esther, Fanny + her child Martha Pinkard + Jerry valued at $953.00. Cynthia Maugham drew Oliver + 

Malinda valued at $953.00

(signed) A. Gray, Miley Maugham, Lewis Daniel, Robert Howe, John Gray.

[ source: Pike County Ordinary Court - Book - Inventories-Appraisements-Annual Returns Dates1831-1834 Page No. 130 Georgia Dept of Archives & History DR 168 Box 12