Martha Cleveland

Martha Cleveland
Will ~ Inventory & Appraisement of Estate

Will of Martha Cleveland
Submitted by Katherine Danner
This document was found in a folder titled "Cleveland, Martha" in the basement of the Bibb County Courthouse Annex.

The State of Alabama
Bibb County

     I Martha Cleveland of the aforesaid State and County being of sound mind and disposing memory and in health but mindful of my mortality do make and publish this my last will and testament disposing of the property here in after mentioned as follows:

     I give devise and bequeath unto my grand Daughter Mary Ann Elisabeth Cleveland One horse saddle bridle and blanket, one feather bed with sufficient bed clothes to furnish it. One negroe girl name Loutilda with her natural increase and all the profits and benefits arising from said negroe in any manner whatever.

     The property above specified together with all the rights issues and profits there from arising or in any wise accruing. I hereby give devise and bequeath unto my said grand daughter Mary Ann Elizabeth to her sole separate and exclusive use benefit and behoof free from the debts contracts and liabilities of every sort of any husband that she may have.

     At the death of my said grand daughter I will and direct that said property so bequeathed to her go to the lawful heirs of her body but if she should die without having lawful issue surviving her I direct that said property so devised and bequeathed to her revert and fall back into the residence of my estate to be equally divided between my right heirs.

     I further hereby appoint my son W.W.C. Cleveland the guardian of my said grand daughter and will that at my death he shall take possession of the property herein bequeathed unto her and hold the same appropriating the profits these from arising to her use and benefit until she shall either marry or arrive at the age of eighteen years in the case of either of these events happening I will and direct that she shall take possession of the property here in bequeathed unto her and hold the same subject to the provisions of this will.

     I further hereby constitute and appoint as executors to this my last will and testament my sons Jackson S., Carter, Cromwell, and W.W.C. Cleveland sincerely trusting that they will faithfully execute in letter and spirit my wishes and directions here in set forth. In witness where of I have here unto as and for my last will and testament revoking all former ones set my hand and seal on this the fifth day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.

                  Martha Cleveland {seal}

The above instrument consisting of three pages was at the date there of signed sealed published and declared to us by the said Martha Cleveland as and for her last will and testament who at her request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses there to on this the fifth day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.

                  Carter W Cleveland, Jr
                  Charles C Cleveland