Lumpkin County, Georgia - Book A-2 Wills, pages 360, 361
Georgia
Lumpkin CountyIn the name of God Amen (?), I Henry Watkins of Said county and State being of advanced age, and knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper both as regards my Family and my Self that I Should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me do therefore make this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all others heretofore made by me.
Item 1st I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances, and condition in life. My Soul I trust shall return to rest with God, who gave it, as I hope for eternal Salvation through --- merits and atonment of the blessed lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose Religion I have
Item 2d trusted in, I desire and direct that all my Just debts be paid by my executors here in after appointed.
Item 3rd I bequeth and divise unto my beloved Wife Eveline Belmont Watkins, with whom I have lived 63 years, all my landed Property and affects, for and during her natural lifetime only after her death to be divided as herin after directed (?).
Item 4th I give and bequeath and devise unto my Son W.H.Watkins Lots and parts of Lots of land, commencing at the N.W. Corner of Number 80, running S.E. unto (?) the top of ridges opposite the persemm....(?) [persemmon tree] on lot of land No 131, thence running South to Said persemm...(?) [persemmon] on lot No 130, thence South to the Creek, then Creek the line, running South to mouth of branch, then running branch to first fork on branch, thence running up left hand fork of branch to ford, thence running the tops of ridges to S.W. line of lot No 129. Thence running west to corner to said lot No 129. Thence running west to Corner of lot No 81. Thence West to South West Corner of lot No 60 thence to North West corner of lot No 60, thence running East to N.E. Corner of lot No 60, thence running North to Commenc..(?) line of lot No 80, with all the rights members and privilages to said lots and parts of lots of land, all lying and being in the 12th District and first section of Said County. In any wise appertaining or belonging forever.
Item 5th I give and bequeath and devise all the balance of my lands to my GrandChildren F.C. Watkins and Polly Rider's Children. I appoint Joseph E. Rider and Henry W. Watkins as my Executors to divide Said lands Equally among themselves, by division of land or Sale.
Item 6th I bequeath that all my personal property m...(?) and debts - after paying funeral expenses and all my debts be equally divided among my heirs, W.H. Watkins, F.C. Watkins & Polly Rider's Children.
Item 7th I hereby constitute and appoint Samuel Rider Sr. & John W. Jones my executors of this my last Will and Testament, This the 16th day of October 1886.
Henry Watkins {Seal}
his(x)mark
Submitted by Dawn Ridder