Laurens County Wills
Will of Richard Ferguson
Submitted by: J. Lucinda Weinberger, rosebud@interacs.com
Dated: June, 25, 1807
Box No. 26 Pkg. No. 7ESTATE OF
Richard Ferguson
George McCrary
Executor
Judge of Probate
Richard Ferguson
1808
Package 26/7 p-315 26-7 Box 26 No 7
A True Inventory of the goods and chattles of the Estate of Richard Ferguson's estate Desc,d. Appraised by us whose names are herein after mentioned June the 24th 1808
$ C
7 Negroes at 2025
18 Head of Cattle at 103
Household and Kitchen Furniture 149
4 Head of Horses 195
Crop Growing 250
9 Hogs 23 50
Plantation Tools 18
Parcell [sic] of brick 15
Cotton 108
His Apparel 25
1 Saddle and Bridle 6
Poultry 6 50
4 Barrels & Sifters 4
Total
2928 0
Benjamin Adair
Josiah Williams
William McCrary
In Name of God Amen.
I, Richard Ferguson of South Carolina and Laurens District widower, being in perfect mind and memory make this my Last will and Testament. First it is my desire to be buried on my plantation by the side of my wife at the discretion of my Executors here after to be named and with regard to my Estate I give and bequeath of it as follows imprimis I bequeath unto my son Ward Ferguson, a negro man named Ralph.
Item the two negroes named Simon and Oliver was willed to my sons Ward and Miles and John Ferguson by their Grand Father at my death therefore I dont dispose of them no way.
Item I give unto my son, Charles, one negro girl named Phillis and two cows and calves.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son, Samuel Ferguson one negro fellow named Phillip [?] and one hundred dollars in cash.
Item I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter, Tabitha Motley, a negro woman named Alseo.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Vaughn's children, one negro girl named Agnes after the death of their mother Mary Vaughn to keep the said negro so long as she lives and not to go any other use whatever except the immediate services of my said daughter and for fear that she might be taken to pay debts my will is that she is not be sold for no length of time not even one day to pay her debts - nor no other persons.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter, Franky McCrary one negro boy named Bob.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Ferguson all that tract of land where I now live and three negroes Jack Biddy and Chiney also one horse coalt [sic] called Matchen and choice of all the rest of my horses and one good Feather Bed and Furniture one Saddle and Bridle and all the rest of my household and cittchen [sic kitchen?] furniture that is not disposed of in my will before.
Item The residue of my Estate to be sold all Legacies and just debts paid and the remaining parts equally divided between all my children to wit- Tabitha Ward Miles the children of my son John to have his share-
Mary Frankey Charles Samuel and Elizabeth. and I constitute and appoint George McCrary Charles and Samuel Ferguson executors of my last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly revoke disavow and disanul [sic] all former bequeaths wills and legacies by me heretofore of any wise made declaring, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament in witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of July one thousand eight hundred an seven in the American Independence the thirty second year.
Signed sealed published and declared by the within named Testator, Richard Ferguson to be his last Will and Testament in the presents [sic] of us who have subscribed our names in the presents [sic] of the Testator and of each other.
Richard Ferguson SEAL
T.A. Elmore
N.T. Martin
Turner Richardson
Ordinarys Office
Laurens District
The within will of Richard Ferguson Deceased was proven before me in the court of ordinary by the oath of Nathaniel Martin one of the subscribing witness to the said will on 6th day of June 1808
David Anderson ordy
Transcribed from copy of will received from Laurens Co. Library, 1017 W. Main St., Laurens SC 29360.