AAFA Wills
WILL OF ASENATH ALFORD

I, Asenath Alford (widow) of the County of Chambers and of the State of Alabama being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

And first, I direct that my body be decently interred and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life, and as to such worldly goods and estate as it hath pleased God to intrust me with, I dispose of the same as follows:

First, I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first moneys that shall come into the hands of my executors from any portion of my estate real or personal.

Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Ann H. Beall in trust for my son James M. Alford a negro boy by the name of Dick, and also one bed and bed furniture which said negro boy Dick and bed and furniture are to be for the use and benefit of said James M. Alford during his natural life and at his death to visit in his legal heirs and should he die without issue, then said property to vest in the legal heirs of my said daughter Mary Ann H. Beall and I direct that my said daughter Mary Ann H. Beall as such trustee share annually account of said James M. Alford for the hire of said negro boy Dick and that the same shall not be subject to any debts which he may have or hereafter contract.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my son, John R. Alford for and during the term of his natural life the use and benefit of my negro boy, Tom, and at his death the said negro boy Tom, to become the property of his lawful heirs and in default thereof then to the rest of my children and their legal heirs.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Pheriba W. Hudson for and during the term of her natural life the use and benefit of my negro girl Jane and at her death to become the property of her children and their legal heirs.

Fifthly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Ann H. Beall for and during the term of her natural life the use and benefit of my negro girl Letice and at her death to become the property of the legal heirs of her body and in default thereof to the rest of my children and their legal heirs.

Finally, my desire is that at my death all of my property both real and personal not herein before disposed of shall be for the use and benefit of my children to be divided equally between them for and during the term of their natural lives, and then my desire is that the same shall vest in their children and should either of my children die without issue then the claim is to be equally divided among the rest of my children. I appoint my son-in-law, Dr. Cuthbert G. Hudson and my son John R. Alford my executors to carry out and execute the provisions of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I, the said Asenath Alford [testatem?] hands hereunto set my hand and seal this the 7th day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight-hundred and forty-two.

Asenath Alford (seal)

Signed, sealed, published, and delivered in the presence of Robert Bough, Edward Bough

Vol. 2, Page 29, Chambers Co., Alabama Wills

Transcribed by Robin Sterling, AAFA #320, from the Alabama Alford Tapes: pages 181-183, handwritten copy of the apparent original.