Said Instrument of Writing is sufficiently proven as the Last Will and Testament of said Thomas Cleere and is to be received and recorded as such. (The following is a typed version of THOMAS CLEERE's will as read from three different photocopies as near as can be understood)
___________________ of the Orphans Court of the County of Lawrence in the State of Alabama held for said County at the Court House in the Town of Moulton on the 15th day of January 1836 Lucy Cleare made application to said ______ for the Probate of an Instrument of Writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Thomas Cleere which said Instrument of Writing was presented in open court and thereupon came James McGraughy and Thomas Chiles the subscribing witnesses to said Instrument of Writing who after being duly sworn depose and say that they saw the said Thomas Clear sign, seal and publish this Instrument of Writing as his Last Will and Testament, and ____ the said depronents (sp?) subscribed their names as witnesses to the Instrument of Writing at the request of the said Thomas Cleare in his presence and in the presence of each other and who the deponents believed the said Thomas Cleere at the ……
Firstly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lucy Bibb--the oldest living child of my negro woman (named) Fan to be given her at the age of eighteen or sooner if she marries to have and to hold the same forever.
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Eusebia Neville the second oldest living child of my negro woman named Fan to be given her at the age of eighteen or sooner if she marries to have and to hold the same forever.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my wife Lucy, all my real and personal property not heretofore disposed of _______ all the land or plantation upon which I now live upon, all my negroes and all other property of every kind to have and to hold the same forever or life. At her death the same to be equally divided among my children namely, Chiles, George D., Sallyan, Thomas E., William S., Mary E., Robert H., and Lucy B. and Eusebia N. Cleere.
Fourthly, I ordain and decree that my wife Lucy take my monie, collect my debts, and dispose of such of my personal property as will pay all debts and make settlement of the same, and then to keep the balance of the property together and use the same for her support and benefit. Given under my hand and seal this 19th June 1835 signed and delivered in presence of these witnesses.
(signed)
(signed)
(signed)
I Thomas Cleere of Lawrence County State of Alabama do make this my last Will and Testament.
James McGraughy
Thomas Cleere (seal)
Thomas Chiles
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