The Wills
of
Henry May (1824)
and
Abby May (1826)

Transcribed and Contributed
6 Oct 2006 by Elden May

Lauderdale County, Alabama will book.
Will Book #3 - Before 1825
Transcribed by Elden May in July 2006

Henry May to Will

In the name of God Amen. I Henry May of the County of Lauderdale and State
of Alabama, being aged and aware of the uncertainty of life and now being
of sound and perfect mind and memory, do make this my last will and
testament, hereby revoke my all others, Firm. It is my will and desire
that after death my body to be decently buried by my executor here after
named and the expense there of be paid from my estate by my said executor.

Item 1. I give and bequeath to my loving wife Abey May, during her
natural life the entire use of the plantation where on I now live, also one
negro man named Gerry, one negro woman named Marry, one bed and furniture
of her choice, one horse her choice from my stock of horse, together with
all other of my property which is specifically bequeathed or directed to be
sold.

Item 2. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Winifred Seal two
dollars to be paid by my executor from my estate.

Item 3. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Sally Tomlinson two
dollars to be paid by my executor from my estate.

Item 4. I give and bequeath to my loving son James May one negro boy
named Ben,

(Page 144 - continued)

one stud horse, pray atest also at the death of his mother two old negros
Gerry & Mary

Item 5. I give and bequeath to my loving son John May one negro Baynamea
Daitor.

Item 6. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Frances one negro boy
named Gim

Item 7. I give and bequeath to my loving son Henry May Jr. one bed and
furniture. It is further my will and desire that he should [be] no further
part of my estate in any way.

Item 8. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Polly ONeale one negro
boy named Charley (which has never as yet got).

Item 9. I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Judy Clark one bed and
furniture, one cow and calf her choice from my stock, one negro girl named
Mary.

Item 10. I give and bequeath unto my two grand children Henry ?Tulucfs?
and Jaurdon ?Tulucfs?, one negro man named Simon to be equally divided
between them by sale of allusion.

Item 11. It is further my will and desire that all my property not herein
disposed of be sold by my executor and the money arising therefrom after
the payment of all my just debts and the legacies bequeathed, divided among
my children now living except my son Henry May Jr. It is also my will and
desire that after the death of my wife Abey May that the land and all the
property bequeathed to her during her natural life be sold and divided
among my children now living except my son Henry May, Jr.

(Page 145 - continued)

I except the two old negroes Gerry and Mary which my son James May is to
have. I hereby constitute and appoint my son James May my sole executor to
this my last will and testament.

In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this
Tenth day of October 1821.

(Sign) Henry May {seal}

In presence of is:
Samuel Craig
Richard Baily
Nelson English (his mark)

This State of Alabama Lauderdale county at 19 March 1824, the forgoing will
was duly proven before the jury of the orphans court for said county and
ordered to be annuled to probate.

A copy tnt

Recorded 27 March 1824} W. W. Garrad Clerk

Lauderdale County, Alabama will book.
Will Book #5 - 1825 to 1828
Transcribed by Elden May in Sept 2006

(Page 261)

Will of Aby May

In the name of God Amen.

I Aby May of the County of Lauderdale and State of Alabama, being aged and
infirm but of sound mind and memory calling to mind the certainty of death
and the uncertainty of life and being possessed of some property and
feeling a disposition to dispose of the same, do ordain this to be my last
will and testament in which I do make the following bequeaths.

That is to say, first it is my will and desire that my body after death
shall be decently buried and that the expenses there of shall be paid from
my estate.

Item second. It is further my will and desire that the proceeds of the
balance of my property be equally divided between my Daughter Judy Nelson
Eliza Gunter [Mary May Daughter of James May], [Aby Seal Daughter of Mary
Seal] and [William Tomblin Son of Sally Tomblin], and that my James May My
Daughters Sally Tomblin, Frances Gunter and Polly Oneal, are not to have
any part of my estate except such as they may desire this by their children
as above mentioned.

Lastly it is my desire will and desire that James May [flourish and
squiggle] act as my executor.

In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of
April 1826

In presence of us
Samuel Craig
Wm W Burton
Sarah English

Aby May (X) Her Mark