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 
 
[bottom attached page] 
 
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