Will of Benjamin Cleveland, 1830 Pickens District, SC

Will of Benjamin Cleveland (1785-1830) and abstract of various estate records, Pickens District (now Oconee County), South Carolina

The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol XIII, Number 3, Summer, 1985 - "Some Early Pickens District Wills"  

Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Cleveland 

In the Name of God, Amen:  

I, Benjamin Cleveland, in the District of Pickens and State of South Carolina, being weak in body but in perfect health in mind and memory 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 in manner following,

First, I give, demise, bequeath and dispose of the same in the following manner and form - first I give and bequeath unto my wife Peggy Cleveland all my estate real and personal rites (sic) whatsoever during her life or widowhood and at her decease or marriage if seasing (sic) to be my widow then my estate real and personal to be sould (sic) by my Executors to the best advantage for a division amongst my lawful ayres (sic), giving one-third part of the money arising from said property to my beloved wife Peggy Cleveland and the rest after paying all just debts to be equally divided between children as they may arrive of age or days of marriage.

I do hereby authorize and appoint my deart wife Peggy Cleveland and Robert Holland and Jacob Holland my Executors to carry into effect the intent and meaning of this my last will and testament or testaments, wills legacy or legacies, bequeath or bequeaths Executor or Executors by me in any wise before named or appointed willed or bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and (no?) other to be my last will and testament.

Signed, sealed, published and pronounced and delivered by the s'd Benjamin Cleveland as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other hath hereunto subscribed our names:

Kenneth McKenzie, William (X, his mark) Miles, and James (X, his mark) Jones

Signed: Benjamin Cleveland

 

Abstract of various estate records, Pickens County, SC, 1829-1850:

 

Cleveland, Benjamin - Box 3 No 30 - will dated 1830: heirs: wife, Peggy Cleveland, children (not named). Exrs: Robert & Jacob Holland. Wit. Kenneth McKenzie, William Miles, James Jones. 

Inventory made 13 Oct 1831 by Jonathan Reeder, Kenneth McKenzie, Wm Mills.

 

Est also admr 12 Oct 1857 by Jeremiah Cleveland, A.J. Looney, Martin L. Looney bound to W.J. Parsons, Ordy. for $15,000. Heirs out of this state are Thomas Cleveland, Gibson Hix & wife Nancy, Martin L Looney & wife Mariam. Heirs in this state are A.J. Looney & wife Margaret, Sarah C. Abbott, Wm. B Dickson & wife Elizabeth, and the heirs of B. Milton Cleveland, deceased, viz. Adaaline Keese, formerly Adaline Cleveland, and widow of deceased and her two children Lewis and Margaret Cleveland, both minors. Dated 15 Dec 1859.

 

25 Dec 1858, amt. of sale in GA, $20.51. Owned 8 slaves.