Will of William Briscoe
Claiborne County, Mississippi, 21 Sep 1857
Beechland, September 21st, 1857

Deeply impressed with the certainty of death and the importance of making such arrangements of my earthly concerns justly demand of me, my wish would be to do equal justice to my three children. In a former disposition of my property it has I think has shown that I have not made it as equal as it should have been and it is with the view of this inequalities being somewhat removed, I do make this my last will and testament, The Land or plantation on which I live the title of which is recorded belongs to William J. Briscoe but was bought in for my use and was paid for by W. J. Briscoe, James Andrews, and W. S. Scott late deceased in equal parts being 1200 acres more or less with the negroes hereafter named that is I give and bequeath to my youngest daughter Indiana Scott the following named negroes John, Burwell, Chels, his wife Yellow Joseph, Stephen, and Tonta, his wife, Gabe a negro man about twenty years old, Dogan twenty eight, Isaac thirty years old, Martha twenty five years old Joseph Black twenty one years old, and Frank twenty two years old, Maria his wife same age. Also an equal division of the Plantation on which I reside also an equal division of the following named negroes (which were bid at a sale to satisfy a claim of Claiborne and Warren Briscoe to Wm J. Briscoe and was paid for by Jas. A. Andrews and Wm S. Scott) Ginny and her children Ann, Jane, Darke, Sarah, Woodson, Henrietta, and Beck, Lewis, Peg, Cynth, Elora, Ramer, John, Barbara, and Celay, Ann has three children her oldest girl Elizabeth, I have given to my grand-daughter Rosa Scott, Peg’s child Martha I have given to my grand daughter Elizabeth Scott youngest daughter of Indiana Scott the first 12 negroes, beginning with John Burell and ending with Maria, Frank’s Wife I give direct to Indiana Scott, my youngest the balance, those who were sold at the sale, (except Elizabeth Ann’s child Peg child Martha also John Barbra, and Celay, the thirteen commencing with Genny and ending with Ramer with Ann’s two youngest children and Janes youngest child. It is ______ wish that they be divided into three lots equal in value as may be convenient, one lot I also give to my daughter Indiana the other two lots I give one to my son W. J. Briscoe, the other to my daughter Olivia Andrews the last three John Brabry and Celay, carriage & harness with much of the furniture belonging to the house and kitchen I give and bequeath to my old aged companion Elizabeth Briscoe, I also enjoin on each of legatees, to give unto the said Elizabeth annually during her natural life one hundred and sixty dollars.

Now having perfected my last earthly duty (is frequently our best duty) my aim has been to do equal justice my last prayer is that a spirt of moderation rest and abide with on and that you work the blessings of that great Being who giveth and taketh away the stock of all kinds to be sold and equally divided between my three children already named and in the case of the death of either of them the child or children in that event shall inherit its deceased father or mother share as the case may be.

Signed this first day of October 1857
W. Briscoe

Witness
R. Valentine

Filed 15th Jany. 1858 and truly recorded.
James A. Gage Ck.
By A. K Stampley D.C.
                                                                                                    

Transcribed on 8 Sep 2018 by William R. Emanuel, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, from a typescript of the original will.