All, I have tried to reproduce this will of William GOFF as faithfully as possible. Denise Lindsey Wells Falls Church, VA Source: Will Record 1840 - 1869, Vol 1 & 2, pgs. 136 - 139, Laurens Co., GA Probate Court Georgia, Laurens Co.} In the name of God, amen. I William Goff of said state and county being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart from this world deem it right and proper both as respects myself and family that I should make a distribution of the property with which a kind providence has helped me. I therefore make this my last Will and Testament hereby working and annulling all others heretofore made by me. Item the first. I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstance and condition my soul I trust shall return to rest with God who gave it as I hope for eternal salvation through the Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose Religion I have professed and is I trust enjoyed for thirty years. Item second. I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid by my Executor here and after named as I am unwilling my creditors should be delayed of their rights especially as there is no necessity for delay. Item third. I give and devise to my beloved wife Delila with whom I have lived in the strictest quiet and love for fifty years all my property both real and personal with all the Rights and members and appurtenances as belonging free from all charges or limitation seven hundred acres be the same more or less acres the same lying and being in this County of Laurens and state aforesaid being the land whereas the said Goff now lives. I also give and bequeath to my wife in the same unrestricted manner its farming utensils used on and belonging to said plantation of Every description whatever and all my horses and all my cattle all the corn on said plantation and all the fodder and all my hogs stock hogs and fatning hogs and all my house hold and kitchen furniture belonging to said plantation and my carriage and carriage horse all without reservation or limitation. Item fourth. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife for and during her natural life my Negro man Will my Negro man John about Eighteen years of age also my Negro woman Sarah about Thirty give years of age and her five children Rachal about fourteen years of age also delsa (?) about ten years of age also Martha about eight years of age also Lelitha (?) about Six years of age also Mary about Two years old and also my Negro Woman Eliza about Twenty five years of age and her six children Margaret about Ten years of age also Abraham about Nine years of age and also Alexander about six years of age and also Isaac about four years of age and also Freeman about three years of age and also Emaline about one year old to my beloved wife during her natural life at her death to be Divided between the heirs of us both Except Rutha Odom the wife of E. S. Odom and except Joseph Watson by certain Negroes being ___ deeded to them previous but to remain on said plantation during my wifes life time. Item fifth. The rest of property both real and personal wherever and whatever it may be I devise and bequeath to my beloved wife for and during her natural life. Item sixth. I constitute and appoint my worthy Friend John G. Smith my Executor to this my last will and Testament this 20th November in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fifty six. his William Goff Mark Signed sealed declared and published by William Goff as his last Will and Testament in the presents of us the Subscribing who subscribed our names hereunto in the presents of said testator _____ of each other this November 20th 1856. Childs Harvey V. Hilburrn John G. Smith, JP his Homer Johnson Mark State of Georgia} Laurens County} Before me Freeman H. Rowe Ordinary in and for said County of Laurens personally came John G. Smith Executor of the last Will and Testament of William Goff late of said County deceased and produced before the last Will and Testament of William Goff deceased and the Witnesses of said Will to wit Childs Harvey V Hilburn and John G Smith JP which witnesses being duly Sworn deposes and say that they saw William Goff the Testator sign seal declare and publish the instrument now ______ as his last Will and Testament freely, voluntarily and of his own accord and without any compulsion or influence whatever that at the time of the Execution of the said Will said Testator was of sound and disposing mind and memory that deponents ____ said Will is Witness in the presents of the Testator in the presence of each other. Sworn to and subscribed before me in Open Court February 2nd 1857. F. H. Rowe Ordinary} Childs Harvey John G. Smith V. Hilburn Recorded 2nd day of February 1847