Will Book 3, Sumter Co., AL
(C. Avis Catalog entry #546)
p. 27
J. A. Mooring
Last Will & Testament
Probated August 20 1874
& Recorded August 21 1874
The State of Alabama Sumter County: I James A. Mooring of the State and County aforesaid being of sound mind and memory and knowing do uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament.
1st it is my will and desire that all my lawful and just debts shall be paid out of my estate
2. I give, bequeath and devise unto my wife Theodora A. Mooring and my son John Scott Mooring all my property both real and personal; my wife taking her former plantation near Coatopa Alabama, at a fair valuation, as a portion of her half interest in my estate.
3. I will in case of the death of my son John S. Mooring before he arrives at the age of Twenty-one or gets married, my estate shall be distributed as follows
4. I give and bequeath unto my wife Theodora A. Mooring one-half of all my Estate both real & personal
5. I give and bequeath unto my sister C. E. Bailey her lifetime and then to her children by Jeff. Bailey, fifteen thousand Dollars
6. I give and bequeath to (my first wife’s niece) Mattie Mooring Scott one thousand Dollars
7. I give and bequeath to (my first wife’s mother) Louisa Jordan Five hundred dollars
8. I give and bequeath unto my nephew James Seth Mooring (a son of L. S. Mooring) Five hundred Dollars
9. I give and bequeath unto my brother Wm. L. Mooring his lifetime and then to his children one thousand Dollars
10. I give and bequeath unto my brother L. S. Mooring five hundred Dollars he having gotten about five hundred Dollars with interest during my life-time
11. I give and bequeath unto my sister Smitha Jane Taylor one thousand Dollars
12. I give and bequeath unto my brother Arthur S. Mooring children, one thousand Dollars
13. I give and bequeath unto my brother F. Gray [?] Mooring all his indebtedness to me
14. I give and bequeath unto my brother Guilford M. Mooring one dollar
15. It is my will that in case my Estate is not sufficient to pay all my legation? they shall be paid as they are mentioned in my will, 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th and 14th
16th It is my will that in case any of the litigates before mentioned shall die before me in that event I do not will them anything, Except where it detailed to they children
17. I do hereby appoint, make and constitute my wife Theodora A. Mooring my Executrix, of this my last will and testament and having full confidence in her integrity, honesty and ability, I do hereby Exonerate her from making any settlements in the Courts, as such Executrix and I do hereby authorize and Empower her to sell my property or any portions of it belonging to my Estate that she may think proper and right and for the Benefit of my Estate or do anything that I … do which … without any order from Court.
In case of the death or from any other cause my wife shall fail to qualify as such Executrix: I do hereby appoint my friend W. G. Little, Jr. my Executor, with all the powers granted and given my Executrix before named
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this the 15th day of January 1870.
Witnesses J. A. Mooring {seal}
Charles Cooke
Turner D. Bell