According to LegalZoom.com, the Last Will and Testament of a person is
In genealogical terms, a Last Will and Testament is often a gold mine of information in understanding family connections. In many cases, the Will of a father leaving a legacy to his married daughter/s, or even to the children of his deceased married daughter/s, is the only way to find out a maiden name of a married woman. I have been lucky enough to find several of these kinds of Wills.
But, in the Last Will and Testament of William Pitts, who died in 1864 in Newberry County, South Carolina, I was extremely lucky to find the maiden name and married name of his step-daughter! Here is the Will:
Here is what the Will states:
So, as you can see, William Pitts was the second husband of Elizabeth, who had a daughter named Lucinda Lewis. And Lucinda had married a man whose last name was Johnston (or Johnson as indicated in other documents). This is the ONLY document that I have ever found that gives the surname of Elizabeth's first husband and Lucinda's father. So, I am VERY thankful to William for putting this information in his Will!
Why is this important? Well, because Lucinda is my great, great grandmother! And, therefore, Elizabeth is my great, great, great grandmother!
I have written about this family before in these posts:
https://regnirpsstories.blogspot.com/2018/05/memorial-day-2018-military.html;
My wife and I updated our Wills this year. It was necessary because we recently moved back to Texas, and some things needed to be changed. Having a Will is very important in being sure that your wishes are not only taken into account, but must legally be followed, at the time of your death.a legal document that lets you, the testator (the person making the will), designate individuals or charities to receive your property and possessions when you pass away. These individuals and charities are commonly referred to as beneficiaries in your last will. A last will also allows you to name a guardian to care for minor children. The main purpose of a will is to ensure that the testator's wishes, and not the default laws of the state, will be followed upon the testator's death. Read more at: https://www.legalzoom.com/personal/estate-planning/last-will-and-testament-overview.html.
In genealogical terms, a Last Will and Testament is often a gold mine of information in understanding family connections. In many cases, the Will of a father leaving a legacy to his married daughter/s, or even to the children of his deceased married daughter/s, is the only way to find out a maiden name of a married woman. I have been lucky enough to find several of these kinds of Wills.
But, in the Last Will and Testament of William Pitts, who died in 1864 in Newberry County, South Carolina, I was extremely lucky to find the maiden name and married name of his step-daughter! Here is the Will:
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| Newberry County Probate Court, South Carolina, Probate Records in Box 111, Packet 31. Copies received January 2013. |
Here is what the Will states:
South Carolina In the name of God amen, I William Pitts, of the Newberry District State and District aforesaid, calling to mind the certainty of death, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, and being anxious to dispose of all the property it hath pleased almighty God to bless me with, do publish and declare the following to be my last will and testament (viz) I give and bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth all my estate, both real and personal, after the payment of all my just debts, to keep and manage, during her life time or widowhood, but in the case event of her marrying, then only to have one third of said estate which said third I give to her do as she sees fit. My will further is , that at the death or marriage of my said wife Elizabeth, all the property belonging to my estate not disposed of by this last will, be equally divided between my children including my step daughter, Lucinda Johnston, formerly Lucinda Lewis. In case any of said children or step daughter shall die having Issue, thus said Issue to heir their parents portion of my estate. I further will that if any of said children marry or become of age, that the property thus given to that child be calued by a disinterested person and be kept on account by my wife. I hereby appoint my wife Executrix to this my last will and testament. Given under my hand and seal, this 26th January Eighteen Hundred and sixty-four.
Signed in Washington Floyd histhe Dennis Lark William X Pitts {Seal}presence of M R Gibson mark
So, as you can see, William Pitts was the second husband of Elizabeth, who had a daughter named Lucinda Lewis. And Lucinda had married a man whose last name was Johnston (or Johnson as indicated in other documents). This is the ONLY document that I have ever found that gives the surname of Elizabeth's first husband and Lucinda's father. So, I am VERY thankful to William for putting this information in his Will!
Why is this important? Well, because Lucinda is my great, great grandmother! And, therefore, Elizabeth is my great, great, great grandmother!
I have written about this family before in these posts:
https://regnirpsstories.blogspot.com/2018/05/memorial-day-2018-military.html;
'Til Next Time!
#52Ancestors
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