I, Gideon Barnes, of said State and county, being of advanced age and feeble health though of sound mind and disposing memory, conscious that life is short and uncertain and anxious to make disposition of my estate according to my wishes, do make the following, as my last Will and Testament.

Item 1st. I wish that my executors hereafter to be named to pay certain notes for the sum of five thousand dollars, in possession of my wife, payable to James Ray Campbell or (a note for said amount) the same to be paid for her benefit and which has heretofore been given to her a deed of conveyance and with that exception there are no debts owing by my estate, said note or notes and debts, if any, to be paid from the proceeds arising from the sale of my estate as hereinafter provided.

Item 2nd. It is my will and desire that all my estate consisting of land, town property, Negroes, and all other property owned by me, both real and personal or mixed, be sold by my executors either for cash or on time, as in their judgment it would seem best.

Item 3rd. It is my wish and desire that after my estate is sold as above decided and all my debts are collected, that the proceeds of the same be equally divided between my five children without reference to any advancement heretofore given to them or either of them, share and share alike to be enjoyed by them, as provided for in the following clauses of my will.

Item 4th. It is my wish that one-fifth of my estate shall be paid to my beloved daughter, Millicent W. Graddick, in fee simple.

Item 5th. It is my wish that one-fifth of my estate shall be paid to my beloved daughter, Maria Louisa Sneed, absolutely and in fee simple.

Item 6th. I will and bequeath to A. H. Sneed, my son-in-law, one-fifth of my estate in strict trust for the sole use and benefit of my beloved daughter, Sarah Virginia, and her children free from the liabilities of her present or any future husband and in case he should decline said trust, it is my desire that his successor shall give bond with good security for the faithful management of said estate, to be determined by the proper judicial tribunal of the State.

Item 7th. I will and bequeath to my beloved son, Augustus H. Barnes, one-fifth of my estate in trust for the sole use and benefit of his wife and children, free from his liabilities now or hereafter to be incurred.

Item 8th. I will and bequeath to my beloved son, Frederick N. Barnes, one-fifth of my estate in trust for the sole use and benefit of his wife and children, free from his liabilities now or hereafter to be incurred.

Item 9th. I hereby nominate and appoint as my executors of this my last Will and Testament my friends, James Ray Campbell and Charles W. Brown, both of said state and county, whom I earnestly request shall accept the same, as 1 have confided in their judgment and integrity.

GIDEON BARNES (Seal).

Signed, sealed, published and declared to be the last Will and Testament of Gideon Barnes, in presence of us the subscribing witnesses, who signed the same as witnesses at his request and in presence of each other.

James B. Hanson.

Wm. H. Chambers.

E. R. Hamil.

N. D. Hammond.

Source: History of Lamar County Georgia

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