Will of William Turk (1794-1877)
State of Georgia
Banks County
In the name of God, Amen.
I, William Turk, being quite old and of feeble body but of
sound mind and memory knowing I must shortly depart this life deem it proper
as it respects myself and family to dispose of the property with which a kind
Providence has blessed me with now make this my last Will and Testament hereby
revoking all other Wills heretofore made by me.
Item 1. I resign
my Soul to God who gave it and my body to dust in a Christian burial.
Item 2. I desire
that my Executors pay my just debts which I may owe at my death.
Item 3. I give and
bequesth to my beloved wife, Augusta A. E. Turk for and during her natural
life the tract of land which lies adjoining the Town of Homer, containing
two hundred thirty two and a half acres more or less including the old homestead
of my son, John N. Turk. Also the
following Lots in the Town on Homer No. as follows 22,23,24,25,26,5,6,7,8
fractional Lots no. 130 and 131. Together
with all the improvements thereon including the dwelling house in which I
live and all other improvements on said tract of land and town property.
Item 4. I give and
bequeath to my beloved wife all my household and kitchen furniture except
one bedstead and clothing complete which is for my Grand Son William C. Ash
to be hers Absolutely Forever to dispose of as she may desire to do so.
Item 5. I also give to my beloved wife all my Personal property
consisting of horse and mule cows oxen Hogs Sheep Wagon Cart Carriage and
all farming implements and all tools of any description to be used by her
on the farm and for the support of such family as she may have during her
natural life.
Item 6. I desire
my Books to be divided as near Equal as can be done among all my children
without any price put on them as I wish them to be kept in the family. My wife is to select such Books as she may
desire to keep.
Item 7. I have already given to my son Adison money to pay
for land, five Hundred Dollars, which I intend each of my children to have
in this bequest.
Item 8. I have conveyed
to my Grand Son L.N. Turk and son of William H. Turk by a Deed of Trust for
the use and support of the family of W.H. Turk two Hundred and Forty Acres
which I value to said trustee at four Dollars per Acre and I require that
he shall pay me or my Executors four Hundred and sixty Dollars the same being
in excess of the five Hundred Dollars intended for each of my children to
have in this division.
Item 9. I give and
bequeath to my Daughter Margaret M. Chambers wife of John E. Chambers my old
homestead upon which they now live containg three hundred and forty seven
acres more or less which I value at five Dollars per Acre and I require that
she shall pay to me or my Executors twelve hundred and thirty five dollars
the same being in excess of five Hundred Dollars the share of each child on
this division.
Item 10. I give and
bequeath to my son, James H. Turk, if he calls for it five Hundred Dollars.
Item 11. I confirm
unto my daughter Mary M. Chambers the Deed of Conveyance which I have heretofore
made to her of the tract of land on which she now lives as the equivalent
of five Hundred Dollars.
Item 12. I hereby
ratify and confirm to my daughter Louiza A. Griffin wife of Thomas B. Griffin
the deed heretofore made to them containing two Hundred and ten acres more
or less lying on the East side of the Hudson River adjoining A.C. Moss &
Harmon which I value to them at four dollars per acre and I require that they
pay to me or my Executors three Hundred and forty Dollars in excess of five
Hundred Dollars.
Item 13. I give and
bequeath to my son John N. Turk five Hundred Dollars.
Item 14. I give and
bequeath to the children of my Deceased daughter Cynthia J. Ash namely Newton
T. Ash, James Hoyett Ash and William M.C. Ash five Hundred Dollars to be equally
divided between the three.
Item 15. I have already
given my Daughter Sarah L then Bowen now Sarah L Smith five Hundred Dollars
to purchase land.
Item 16. At and after the death of my wife I desire the property
herein bequeathed to her for life to be sold by my Executors in their discretion
and the Proceeds together with all other funds remaining after paying of the
share of five Hundred Dollars to each of the children as to be equally divided
amongst all my children or the children of my children who then may be dead.
Item 17. I hereby
constitute and appoint my Grand son Lucas N. Turk my beloved wife Augusta
A.E. Turk and my beloved Pastor Groves H. Cartledge my Executors and Executrix
to this my last Will and Testament. Given
under my hand and seal
William Turk
Signed this 26th day of August, 1876
Wit: Thomas F. Hill, James T. Quillian, Alanson C. Bowden.
Probated: January 1877
Minutes Book A, Page 469
Probate Court, Homer, Georgia
Copy and Copyright 2003 by Jacqueline King
Background by Donna Brand