The Will of Mathias ARDIS
--- Pamela Lassiter Jones,
Mobile, Alabama USA pam@hsiweb.com
[NOTE: The Mathias ARDIS Sr.
Will and Testament is transcribed below. It was written in 1774 and probated in
the Fall Court of 1800, after his death. In addition to naming his heirs, it
details the manner for distribution of his holdings. Although not separately
identified in the will, his estate included
the Manor House Plantation with a Red House, valued at the sum of almost
US$10,000, and 300 acres of land at Silver Bluff on Beech Island. While
difficult to calculate, the estate was probably worth, in today's money, several million US$.]
"In the name of God Amen. I
Mathias ARDIS Senr. Of the
township of New Windsor, in the Ninety six District of South Carolina, being
weak in body but of sound memory Blessed be God, do this twenty ninth day of
October in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy four
in the fourteenth year of his Majesties reign make ordain and publish this my
last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First I
leave and bequeath to my daughter Mary,
a Negro fellow named Charles to be delivered to hear at the decease of Christian, my wife Also I give and
bequeath to my son Mathias one Negro
girl named Rose and her natural issue to be delivered at the decease of my
wife. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth two Negroes named Quamenim and Sally to be delivered at
the decease of my wife Also I give and bequeath to my son John one Negro named Will to be
delivered at the decease of my wife Also I give and bequeath to Isaac my son two Negroes named Dick and
Sue to be delivered at the decease of my wife. Also I give a bequeath to Jacob my son one Negro wrench named
Dina with her natural issue to be delivered at the decease of my wife I also
give and bequeath to Sara my
daughter two Negro fellows named Jack and Roger to be delivered at the decease
of my wife I also give and bequeath to Abraham
my son one Negro named Jimmy to be delivered at the decease of my wife. I also
give and bequeath to Daniel my son
two Negroes named Boatswain and Harry to be delivered at the decease of my wife
- Also I give and bequeath unto my son David
two Negroes named Mole and Judy and their issue to be delivered at the decease
of my wife. I also give and bequeath all my lands in whatever place or places
it may be situated -
Unto my eight
younger children to be equally divided among each of them on an equality
thereof and if it should happen that David
my son should die before he receive his legacy, than his legacy fall to my son Daniel. And should Daniel die before he
received his part then his part falls to Abraham.
And if Abraham should die before he received his part then his part falls to Sarah. And if she should die before she
receives her legacy then her part falls to Jacob.And
if Jacob should die before he received his legacy then his part falls to Isaac. And if Isaac should die before
he received his legacy then his part falls to John. And if John should die
before he receives his part then his part falls to Elizabeth. And if she
should die before she receives her part her part falls to Mary.
No legatees shall receive any part or parcel of the above
bequeaths until the decease of my wife Christian
to whom I give and bequeath all and every part thereof my household, furniture,
books, bonds, mortgages, notes and debts of all kinds also my stock of all
kinds forever. I also make and ordain Christian my wife, my sole executrix of
this will in trust for the intents and purposes in this will contain total. In
witness whereof I the said Mathias ARDIS Senr. Have to this my last will and
testament set my hand and seals the day and year above written. Signed sealed
and delivered by the said Mathias ARDIS Senr. As and for his last will and
testament in the presence of us who are all present at the signing and sealing
hereof.
James THOMPSON
John BEDDINGFIELD
Ninian PETRIE
Mathias ARDIS (Seal)"
On the back of this will were the following
notes, writer unknown:
1.
"Mary died 1804 married (1) John Bradley (2) Jean De
Yempt
2.
Mathias Jr.
3.
Elizebeth died before her mother
4.
John died before his mother (1st to die)
5.
Isaac died 1796
6.
Jacob died before his mother his part fell to Isaac
7.
Sarah in 1791 conveyed to Isaac after her husbands death
8.
Abraham w.p. 1817
9.
Daniel died after his mother
10.
David (the youngest) died 1800 w.p. 1807 (no issue)"
