Last Will and Testament -- John L. Stephens

State of Georgia
County of Troup

In the name of God, Amen!

In the Exercise of the privilege Secured
to me by the Laws of my country i John
L. Stephens do make furnish and declare my last
Will and Testament in words and figures following
to wit

Item 1st: Estate Real Personal and mixed in pos-
session or action at the time of my death I bequeath
to my affectionate Brother Alexander H. Stephens to be
managed controlled & disposed of by him and
at his discretion for the payment of my debts and for
the use of my beloved wife & children and having
unbounded confidence on him, I give him unlimited
and plenary powers in the premises and relying on
that fraternal kindness which has heretofore been unfailing
I leave to him the entire management of my family
and request him to superintend the raising and
education of my Children and to take enter Control
of them, according to his own judgement & discretion
Item 2nd: The negro woman Rachel though for many years
in my possession, I admit to be the property of my
brother Alexander H. Stephens.
Item 3rd: I also appoint my said Brother Alexander H. Stephens
Executor of this my last Will & Testament, with
all the powers before declared, the witness of
all which I have hereto set my hand and seal
and published & declared the foregoing as my
last Will & Testament the 7th day of June 1856
Sealed signed published & declared in presence
of us who attest the same in presence of Testators
[signed] John L. Stephens

[signed] Ben H Hill
Peter Bogart
John C. Cartright [or Cartright]

[002]

Georgia
Troup County

Court of Ordinary October Term 1856
The within paper writing being propounded
by Alexander H. Stephens the Executor
nominated therin as the last will & testament of
John L. Stephens late of said County Deceased
and the security and volition [?] of the Testator being clearly
and fully proven on the oath of Peter Bogart and
John C. Cartright two of the subscribing witnesses to
the same, It is therefore Ordered by the court that
the former be admitted to Record as the last
Will & Testament of said John L. Stephens late
deceased and thus Letters Testamatory [?] do issue
to Alexander H. Stephens he taking the oath
prescribed by Law, It is further ordered by the
Court that Wm. H Cooper, Daniel M. Wiliam
Albert E. Cox, Edmund S. Harris & Alexander
A Roberts be appointed to appraise said
Estate and make return of the same to this
court in Terms of the Law, granted [?]
[signed] Thomas C. Evans
ordinary
Recorded 7 Oct 1856 Thomas C. Evans ordinary


State of
Georgia
County of Troup

Ordinary's Office 12 Nov 1856
I Thomas C Evans Ordinary and
Ex officio Clerk in and for said County,
hereby certify that the above and forgoing is
a full and complete exemplification
of all the "actings & doings" of Alexander
H. Stephens Executor of Estate of John
L. Stephens late deceased as appears of
Record in my office, given under my
hand & Seal of office the day & year
above written, [signed Thomas C. Evans ordinary
& Ex officio Clerk

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Georgia
Troup County

By the Ordinary Court of said County
To all whom these presents shall come --
Greeting
Know ye, that on the sixth day of October in the year of our Lord
Eighteen hundred and fifty-six the last Will and Testament of John L. Stephens
deceased, late of said County, was exhibited in open Court and in common form of Law proved
and admitted to Record, a copy of which is hereunto annexed and administration of all and singular the goods, chattels;
rights, credits and lands of said deceased was granted to Alexander H. Stephens
in and by said Will named and appointed [blank] and he having
first taken the oath and performed all other requisites required by Law, are by Order of said Court and by virtue of these
presents legally authorised to administer the Goods, Chattels, Rights, Credits and Lands of the said Deceased according
to the tenor and effect of said Will and Testament, and according to Law; and they are hereby required to render a
true and perfect Inventory and Appraisement of all and singular the goods, chattels, rights, credits and lands of the
said Deceased and make returns thereof to this Court according to Law: and to render a true and correct account to
the said Court of their actings and doing yearly, until their Administration is fully completed.
BY the Order of said Court, this Sixth day of October 1856
Ordinary.
[signed] Thos C Evans


[003]

Last will and
Testament of
John L. Stephens deceased