WILL OF JEREMIAH BELK
The State of South Carolina, Darlington District
Will Book 10 Page 145 July 14, 1848
1st Item: Jeremiah Belk of the District of Darlington and State of
South Carolina do make and ordain this my last will and testament -- To
Wit - First I positively order all my just debts to be promptly paid.
2nd Item: I give and bequeath to my son William Belk the following
negroes (to Wit) Dinah Easter & America - together with their future
increase to him and his heirs forever-- In trust however as follows --
for the use of and benefit of my son Abijah Belk during the term of his
natural life and immediately after the death of said Abijah Belk the
said negroes with their increases to be equally divided among the
children of the said Abijah Belk that may be living at that time. If
any of the children of said Abijah Belk should die in the life time of
their father -- leaving a child or children living at the death of said
Abijah Belk in that case such child or children are to represent the
parent and take such part in the division as the parent would have taken
if alive -- at the death of Abijah Belk.
3rd Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson Jeremiah Belk, the son of
Abijah Belk one negro girl named Sabry -- to him and his heirs forever.
4th Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson Marrell Bright Belk, the
son of Abijah Belk one negro girl named Rachel to him and his heirs
forever.
5th Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson Reubin S. Belk, the son of Abijah Belk one negro girl named Leak to him and his heirs forever.
6th Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson Benjamin F. Belk to son of Abijah Belk one negro boy named Griff -- to him and his heirs forever.
7th Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson Elijah King Belk the son
of Abijah Belk one negro girl named Tilda-- with her future increase,
except her three first living children which is to be disposed of in the following manner. The first if any to my granddaughter Polina Ann Belk the daughter of Abijah Belk to her and her heirs forever -- her second if any to my grandson Robert D. Belk the son of Abijah Belk to him and
his heirs forever -- her third if any, to my grandson Stephen T. Belk
the son of Abijah Belk to him and his heirs forever -- the said Elijah
King Belk to take possession of the above negro girl Tilda at my death.
8th Item: I give and bequeath to my son William Belk one negro man by
the name of Jim -- one negro woman by the name of Rachel; one negro
woman by the name of Leak now in his possession one negro girl by the
name of Aggy -- and one other negro girl by the name of Hannah, together
with their increases from this time - to him and his heirs forever.
9th Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Massy Alexander the
following named negroes together with their future increases -- To Wit)
Nelly and her child Ira -- Tinah and her child Peter-Lewis-Stephen-
Mourning and Juda excepting her future increase - to her and heirs
forever.
10th Item: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Jane Skinner (wife of
Benjamin Skinner) one negro girl named Wilet, to her and her heirs
forever.
11th Item: I give and beaqueath to my granddaughter Mary A.M. Alexander
one negro boy named Manson Judy's child, to her and her heirs forever.
12th Item: I dispose of the future increase of the above named negro
woman Juda in the following manner: her first child to my grandson John
S. Alexander and her second to my grandson Israel J. Alexander and so on
alternately down to the youngest child of my daughter Massy Alexander
and the balance of her increase should there be any to my daughter Massy
Alexander to them and their heirs forever.
13th Item: I give and bequeath to Abner Alexander and his heirs forever
-- one negro man named Manson. In trust however as follows for the use
and benefit of Benjamin S. Josey, Massy, M. Saverence, Reese Josey,
Jeremiah J. Josey, Elijah Josey, Anna Josey and Joseph Josey the
children of my daughter Miriam Josey deceased until the youngest child
shall become to the age of twenty-one years, then the said negro to be
sold -- and the proceeds to be equally divided among the said children
of Miram Josey deceased. If any of the said children should die before
the period of division leaving no child or children -- then said
proceeds of the sale to be divided equally among the survivors, but if
any should die leaving a child or children to represent the parent - and
take such portion as the parent if alive would have taken. This legacy
is given to Abner Alexander so that he may act as trustee, and manage
the property till the period of division.
14th Item: I give and bequeath to Abner Alexander and his heirs
forever, one negro man named Herod and one negro boy named Jonas - in
trust however for the sole and separate use of Jincy A. Skinner, the
wife of James Skinner. During the term of her natural life and after
the death of said Jincy A. Skinner in trust for the children which she
may leave living at her death to be equally divided among such children -
when the youngest comes of age (twenty-one years) if any of the children
of Jincy A. Skinner should die in the life time of their mother -
leaving child enabling and who may be living at the period of division
such children to represent their parent and take such part as the parent
if alive at the time of division would have taken.
15th Item: I give and bequeath to Abner Alexander on e negro boy name
George to him and his heirs forever in trust however for the use of my
grandson Acastus C.S.D. Belk for and during the term of his natural life
and at his death to be divided among such child or children as A.C.S.D.
Belk may leave. If any of the children of A.C.S.D. Belk should die in
their father's lifetime leaving child or children to represent the
parent and take such part as the parent if alive would have taken.
16th Item: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Massy M. Saverance
one feather bed and furniture -- which bed and furniture is already in
her possession.
17th Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson Abijah E. Alexander to
him and his heirs forever one negro girl called Rose with her future
increase.
18th Item: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Martha Skinner the
wife of Francis Skinner one negro girl called Linda with her future
increase which said girl is now in her possession to her and her heirs
forever.
19th Item: I will & desire unto my grandson John S. Alexander one tract
of land lying in Lynches Creek Swamp containing forth acres (more or
less) immediately on the Creek adjoining Zackariah Bells land on the
lower part & on the North or upper side by Ervins land to him and his
heirs forever.
20th Item: I give and devise to my grandson Hartwell C. Alexander one
tract of land lying in Lynches Creek Swamp call the Parnell tract,
containing sixty nine acres (more or Less) adjoining John Fields land to
him and his heirs forever.
21st Item: It is my will and desire and hereby direct and authorize my
executors hereinafter named - to sell all my lands and other property.
Not heretofore given away after my death -- and the money ariseing
therefrom together with all the cash, which I may have on hand and all
moneys due me at my death, are to be disposed of in the following
manner: (to Wit) to be divided into six equal parts and given as in the
following manner - one part to my son William Belk one other sixth part
to my son Abijah Belk one other sixth part to my daughter Elizabeth King
one other sixth part to my daughter Massy Alexander one other sixth part
to A.C.S.C. Belk and Jincy Ann Skinner the wife of J. Skinner, my
grandchildren -- equally between them and the other sixth part to my
grandchild Benjamin S. Josey, Massy, M Saverance, Reese Josey, Jeremiah
J. Josey, Elijah Josey, Anna Josey and Joseph Josey, the children of my
daughter Miriam Josey deceased to be equally divided among them --
lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint William Belk my son and Abner
Alexander my son-in-law and my grandson Abijah E. Alexander my executors
of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have here unto
set my hand and seal this the Sixth day of July in the hear of our Lord
One Thousand eight hundred and forty four.
Jeremiah Belk (Seal)
Signed, published and delivered
by the said Jeremiah Belk to be
his last will & testament in the
presence of us who have hereunto
subscribed our names as witness in
the presence of the testator and of
each other.
J. M. Stuckey
Hubbert W. Dubose
Henry Dubose