State of South Carolina

Laurens District

On the name of God amen - - - - -

I John Black merchant being of sound and disposing mind and memory and in common health do make ordain and constitute this my last will and in the form following viz - - - First I leave to my beloved wife Sarah Conway Black during her natural life one third of my esttate and at her death to return to my children or their heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten - - she to have the privilege of choosing such of the property as she may choose either real or personal at the appraisment price and to extend as far as the shares of my three youngest children, Oscar, Trenmore, and Harriett whose Guardian or Trustee I hereby appoint her and to have and enjoy the use of their shares free of Interest on condition she Keeps them with her and gives them the balance of their eduction, clothing, etc. - - - Secondly I give to my daughter Agatha the three Negro Women, Maryann, Augusta and Milly, she having a deed for them before her marriage - - - I also give her a debt which she owes to the firm of John and William Black amt to $185.42 and give her a debt which she owes me on her first husband's estate of $97.53 and also furniture sent home valued at $100 making in all the sum of seventeen hundred and eighty three dollars to be deducted out of her share of my estate. Thirdly, I leave to my son William Ewell Black during his natural life and then to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever my two Negro boys Edmond and Isham at the value of fourteen hundred dollars, one Gray horse at Eighty dollars having bought a piece of land in Spartanburg of Anthony Foster Suit, for four hundred and fifty dollars to which I am security and as security have paid the first payment of one hundred dollars for him, now if I have to pay the balance of said land or if it suits Ewell to leave Spartanburg and he makes the title to my estate he has choice to do so if not that amount with above negroes and horse will be a discount against him for his full share of my estate on general division of same - - - Fifthly, I leave to my son John B. Black to my son R. Oscar Black, to my son Trenmore F. Black on their marrying to the satisfaction of their mother on coming of age two negro fellows each or women as maybe agreed on to be valued at the same price of fourteen hundred dollars for the two if fellows and five for the women if such are chosen to be deducted from their shares of my estate on general division of same - - - I give to my son John my gold watch and trinkets on condition he gives his silver watch to his brother Oscar - - I give him the gray horse he swapt away at $75 the watch $100 to be duducted out of his share of my estate onn general division - - - Sixthly, I leave to my daughter Harriett Malvina Black fourteen hundred dollars worth of negroes to be paid to her by her mother or the Executrix or Administratrix if she be dead, on her marriage to her and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten exclusive of the Negro woman Rhoda deeded to her by Miss H. Burnsides - - - Seventhly - - - I hereby will and ordain that if my wife should die before my three young children finish their education that my executors and administrators do find funds sufficient to finish their education in any branch or profession they may choose to follow, exclusive of their full share of my estate it being my meaning and intention that all my children maybe put as near an equality as possible to which the younger branches could not be if obliged to pay for finishing their own education it being no apology by the others saying their education was limited and so on, each and all of them have had as much as they choosed to take, and they shall have the same privilege - - - Eightly - - - I hereby order and will it that all the balance of estate at the death of my wife both real and personal be set up at the highest bidder and sold on a credit at the direction of my administrator or heirs and the same be equally divided among my children or the heirs of their bodies share and share alike after deducting from each legatee whatever advances is hereby made or may be hereafter made by my wife always excepted the Tuition and Board of my younger children which they have in addition to their share - - - Ninthly - - - I hereby appoint and nominate my wife Sarah C. Black my sole executrix to this my last will and testament and Trustee and Guardian as mentioned in clause 1st of this will for my younger children with full power to sell and dispose of any part of my real estate and make good titles for same and in case of her death my oldest son and two sons in Law to act in her room and stead and with same Powers. Witness my hand and seal this 29 December 1834."

"John Black" (Seal)

"James J. Bailey"

"James Caldwell"

"William Miligan"

The will of John Black is filed in Laurens County, South Carolina, Probate Office, Box 80, Package 9, June 1835.