STATE OF GEORGIA
WALTON COUNTY
William Brooks being of sound mind and memory Knowing that all men must die do make ordain and publish this my last will and Testament hereby avoking all other will made by me previous to this time.
Item 1st. It is my wish after death to be desently buried and all my just be paid.
Item 2nd. It is my will and desire that my beloved wife Jane shall one hundred and fifty acres (150) of land where I now live it being lot No(45) in the 4 Dist of Sd county and the northeast side of said lot addjoining L H Cooper, Silas Patton during her lifetime or widowhood and after her death or marriage to be equally divided between all of my Sons herein after named also my wife to have as much of my households and kitchen furniture as she may think will be sufficient for her comfort also as much stocks to wit hogs and cattle as she may think sufficient for her support during her lifetime and to have my Smith tools.
Item 3rd. My will and desire is that all the balance of my lands to be equally divided between all of my Sons to wit Hamilton Larkin John Bradford William H. Josiah M. Galaniah W. James W Othnial H Brooks all of the above Sons to have an equal shair of the land I now own at my death except the 150 acres which I have willed to my beloved wife in Item 1st and after death or enter marriage there that hundred and fifty acres to be equally divided between all of the above named Sons of mine.
Item 4th. If I should have a horse at my death my wife is to have said nag or if I should own two she is to have choise of them If I should have no more stock at my death than will be sufficient for my wifes support and she shall so think it must be sold and my debts be paid then all of sons heretofore mentioned and my daughters Pheni Ray and Emmerille Moon to receive a equal part of it with my sons shair and shair and at the death of my wife all of the household and kitchen furniture equally divided between all of my Sons and my Two daughters to wit Pheni Ray and Emmerille Moon.
Item 5th. If either of my Sons should desire to settle on the lands which I own there and in that case it shall be run of in as many lots as I have Sons and divide it in that way so either of them that may desire may have a home of their own
I Surely Constitute and appoint my beloved wife Jane Brooks and my Son Othnial H Brooks my Exest. and my Ex. to carry into effect this my last will and Testament.
Signed Sealed and Published this 11 day of March 1852.
William Brooks (his mark)
In the presence of Orion Stroud Wright Perkin
Recorded Aug 14, 1865
Elisha T Allen Jesse Mitchell Ordinary
From "The Nathan Brooks Family", by Sharon Kelley