____________________________________________________________________________
I, John Dickson of the County of Pike in the State of Arkansas being of
sound and deposing mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare this
my last Will and Testament.
I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Priscilla Kelley wife
of Elijah Kelley Jr. a negro boy named Allen, aged at present about Seven
years a slave for life, to have and to hold unto her, her heirs and assigns
forever.
I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Lydia Dickson a certain
negro girl named Susan, aged at present about ten years a slave for life,
together with my whole household and kitchen furniture of every name, nature
and description whatsoever, to have and to hold the same unto her, her heirs
and assigns forever.
I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Larrissa Fenter wife of
Christopher Fenter a certain negro girl slave for life named Sarah, aged at
present about four years, to have and to hold unto her, her heirs and
assigns forever.
I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my son Beverly R. Dickson a certain
negro boy named Jeff, aged at present about twelve years a slave for life,
to have and to hold unto him, his heirs and assigns forever.
I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my grandchildren, Lucind(a) Dickson
and John M. Dickson the sum of four hundred dollars to be divided equally
between them upon their marriage or arrival at full age and in the event of
the death of my said grandchildren before that time, then the sum hereby
intended for them to revert to my estate and be equally divided between my
daughters herein before named.
I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my son Clement Dickson the sum of
two thousand dollars to be paid to him out of the proceeds of my estate
within two years after my death.
And the whole and entire remainder of my estate of every name, nature and
description whatsoever, both real, personal and mixed I hereby give, devise
and bequeath unto my said daughters Priscilla, Lydia and Larrissa and my
son Beverly R. Dickson to be equally divided between them, share and share
alike, if they can divide the same equally, justly and satisfactorily
between them &c., and if the same can not be so mutually and equally divided
by and between them, it is my will and desire that the same be sold, in the
premises, at public auction to the highest and last bidder, before a credit
of me to (?) bearing ten per cent interest from the day of sale until paid,
and that the proceeds (of) said sale when realized, be equally divided
between my said son and said daughters herein before named as heirs of the
residue of my said estate.
I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son Beverly R. Dickson,
Executor of this my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal in the presence of
William J. Kelley, William H. Preston & Grandison D. Royston subscribing
witnesses, hereto (and) at my request and (?) sign(ed) their names as such
in my presence and in the presence of each other, at my request on this the
8th September 1859.
John Dickson (Seal)
Witnesses:
Wm. J. Kelley
W.H. Preston
Grandison D. Royston
____________________________________________________________________________
Orignial instrument, Rita Arnold, Nashville, Arkansas.
____________________________________________________________________________
HTML file and design by David Kelley, 1997. All rights reserved.