Will and estate of John Foster d. 1832

1831 Will of John Foster

THUMBNAIL	YEAR	PLACE
	1831	Grindal Shoals, Union County SC
FAMILY INVOLVED/MENTIONED
John Foster	John M. Foster	James Mosley
Mary McElfresh Foster	Jared or Jarrett Foster	Samuel S. Hampton
Frederick Foster	Jeremiah Foster (son of Frederick)
Transcription / Narrative

In the Name of God, amen:

I John Foster of Union District and the State of South Carolina being of Sound and disposing Mind and Memory, But weak in body, and calling to mind the uncertainty of life, and being desirous to dispose of all Such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with do make and ordain this my last will and Testament, in manner following,  (that is to Say,) In Primus, I give and bequeath to my wife all my personal property to be held during her life and after her death to be equally divided between the children of my Sons, Frederick, John all of my children, exclusive of my Sons Frederick, John, Jared and Thomas,

I desire that all the land which I now own (after deducting Seventy acres which I have deeded to my Son Thomas which includes my old house and runs across the big road) to be disposed of in the following manner, Viz) one third to be laid out to Jeremiah my Grand Son the Son of Frederick, one third to the children of my son John, and one third to the children of my Son Jared.  That part to Jeremiah to be laid out to him including the premises whereon his Father now lives.  I furthermore bequeath and desire that my wife Mary Shall be supported out of the land above mentioned during her lifetime.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand Seal this 10 day of January 1831.
John Foster (Seal)

Signed Sealed, published and delivered to us and for the last will and testament of the above named John Foster in the presence of us.

J.S. Sims
James Mosley
Samuel S. Hampton

On January 10, 1831 John Foster,  “being of sound mind and disposing memory but weak in body”, dictates his last will and testament to local lawyer, and later signatory to South Carolina’s Ordinance of Secession from the United States,  J.S. Sims.

Here we have John Foster’s signature by his own hand.  As well as the signatures of the witnesses; legendary neighbour and kin James Moseley and son-in-law Samuel Hampton.