Last Will and Testament of William Nelson, Esq.
On file Laurens, South Carolina, Courthouse - Probate Office - Box 104, pkg 9

In the name of God, Amen.  I, William Nelson of the State of South Carolina, Laurens District, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die and not knowing how woon I shall be called, and thinking to dispose of all such worldly estate as hath pleased God to bless me with, do make, ordain and institute this, my last will and testatment, revoking all others hitherto made.
First, I bequeath my soul to God, who gave it to me, and my body to the dust from whence it sprang to be buried in a christian manner.
Second, After paying all my just debts and funeral expences, I give, devise and dispose of my property in the following manner, that is to say, I give to my sons, Elihu Nelson and John Nelson, the tract of land whereon I now live containing five hundred and fifty seven acres, more or less, to be equally divided between them, according to quanity and quality.  If they should not agree on the division, then to choose three disinterested persons to divide it for them.  I also give to my sons, Elihu Nelson and John Nelson, six shares in the L.C. and Charleston Rail Road and Bank, to be equally divided between them.  I also give to my son, Elihu Nelson, my old man, Charles.  I give to my son, John Nelson, in trust for my son, Lewis Nelson, the tract of land whereon he now lives, containing 144 acres, more or less.  I give to my son, Lewis Nelson, $100 in money to be paid by my executors hereinafter named out of my personal estate.  I give to Nancy Nelson, widow of my son, William Nelson, the tract of land whereon she now lives, containing 169 acres, more or less, during her natural lifetime or widowhood, at the end of which ever takes place first, then the land to be sold and equally divided between her four children by my son, William Nelson, viz:  Elizabeth Nelson; Jane M Cole; Samuel Nelson; and Beaufort Nelson.  I also give to the above named Elizabeth Nelson; Jane M. Cole; Samuel Nelson and Beaufort Nelson each $100 to be paid by my executors herein after named, out of my personal estate.  I desire as soon as practical after my death, that the whole of my personal estate, not above disposed of, to be sold, to be equally divided as follows, viz:  Between my sons, Elihu Nelson and John Nelson, the children of my daughter, Maryan Wharton, viz:  Pleasant Wharton; William Nelson Wharton; Elizabeth Howard and John Wharton, they are to have the same share that their mother would recieve, if alive, which is the fifth part of my personal estate among them.  The children of my daughte, Elizabeth Holt, viz:  John Holt; Mary Lomax; Sarah Russell; Martha Gary; Dicy Holt; William Holt and Elizabeth Holt, they are to have the same share that their mother would receive if alive, which is the fifth part of my personal estate, among them and the children of my son, Josiah Nelson, viz:  Elihu G. Nelson; John Nelson; Andrew Nelson and Josiah Nelson, they are to have the same share their father would recieve, if alive, which is the fifth part of my personal estate among them.
I wish it to be understood that all my notes, accounts and cash on hand to be included in my personal estate.
It is my will and desire that the money willed to all my grandchildren to remain in my executors hands herein after named until they become of age or married.
And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons, Elihu Nelson and John Nelson, executors to this my last will and testament by me made.
In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 25 day of November 1848.
                                                                                           William Nelson   (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the aboved named William Nelson 
In prescence of
Bird Roberts
James Tinsley
J. H. Coleman

South Carolina, Laurens District
Personally came before me Bird Roberts, and upon being sworn, made oath that he saw William Nelson execute the within instrument as his last will, that he together with John H. Coleman and James Tinsley in the presence of each other and in the prescence of the testator subscribed as witness to the same.  Sworn to before me the 2nd day of January 1849.
                                                                                      Bird Roberts
W. D. Watts, Ordinary Laurens District