William Barland's Will
Adams County, Mississippi, written Jun 19, 1806, proven April term, 1816.
In the name of Almighty God amen I, William Barland of Adams County in the Mississippi
Territory being now of sound mind and disposing memory but solemnly considering
the uncertainty of human life Do make and publish this my last will and Testament.
Whereas on the seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven
hundred and eighty nine, in presence of David Monro, James Stoddart, William Banyan,
and John Short, I did purchase my friend and companion Elizabeth Barland and three
infant children called Andrew Barland, Elizabeth Barland Junr. and Margarett Barland
(our natural begotten children) of Jonas Eiler, then of the City of Natchez,
of whom the said Jonas Eiler then put me in possession, and furnished me with a
legal Bill of Sale, drawn by the said John Short, and witnessed by the above named
persons - And whereas, I did, on the same day and date, in the same year, in
conformity with Spanish Laws and usages set her free manumit, and
forever exempt from Slavery, my said friend and companion Elizabeth Barland, and
our three natural born children, ..., and the said Bill of Sale, and the said
instrument of manuscription having been destroyed by fire, when my house was
burned, on or about the twenty-seventh day of December, one thousand, seven hundred
and ninty two, - and whereas, on the sixth day of June, in the year one thousand,
seven hundred and ninty seven, I did confirm the freedom or manuscription of my
said friend and companion Elizabeth Barland, and our natural begotton children,
... and or may be seen by reference to the said Will and Testament
… Now Therefore, in consequences of her attachment and fidelity to me as a friend
and companion and her industry and affection to her and my children, as a mother,
I do in the most solemn, unequivocal and ample manner, confirm unto her, and her
children, Andrew, Elizabeth, and Margaret, their full and entire freedom and exemption
from Slavery from and after the said seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord,
one thousand, seven hundred, eighty nine, and as afterwards declared and confirmed,
by the above recited acts, without any evasion or reservation whatever.
… I did make deeds of gift in fee simple of real property,
with indisputable titles to each of my following named children…to the amount of
Two thousand dollars which at this time I consider each of their just proportion
of my real estate therefore in order to secure to my friend and companion
Elizabeth Barland a home and a comfortable living during her natural life, and
in order that my children not yet of age, may be clothed, schooled, and brought
up in the principles of virtue and morality…Second, I give and bequeath unto my
friend and companion Elizabeth Barland and my three youngest children otherways
unprovided for Alexander Barland Susana Barland and John Barland all and singular
the plantation on which I now live together with the dwelling and out houses,
stock of black cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, and farming utensils also thirteen slaves…
… I appoint my sons Andrew Barland, James Barland, and William
Barland Junr. My sons in law, William Henderson, and Asa Germain, and William
Shipp of Natchez, Peter Bisland, and John Bisland of the Pine Ridge, and the
Chief Justice of the orphans court within the County of Adams for the time being,
executors of this my last will enforning[?] on them to carry it into effect agreably
to the tru intent and meaning thereof without favor or partiality.
… In witness thereof have hereunto set my hand and seal on
the nineteenth day of June in the year [1806]...
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