In the name of God amen, I, James DANIELL of the state of Georgia and the county of Hancock, being weak in body but of perfect sound mind and memory and knowing the mortality of my body and that it is appointed of God for all men once to die and come to judgment, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. And as I hope to die in the Christian faith and to be buried in a Christian-like manner, there needs no further preamble. And to what worldly goods it hath pleased God to endow me with, I give and devise and bequeath in the manner and form following - and first and principally, it is my desire that all my just debts be paid without trouble? or suits of law.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law James TAYLOR three Negroes, (viz) Jack, Hannah, and Jane to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto the heirs of my daughter Sarah and James TAYLOR five Negroes viz Hollon?, Jubiter, Abram, Solomon and Prince to them and their heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Jose DANIELL three hundred acres of land lying on the Congaree River and 400 acres in a place called The Ridge and ten Negro slaves viz Buchrage and his wife Magga, and their three children, also a Negro man named Sippia and Judy his wife and their children Sarah, Stepney?, and Long Tom and Shaba, also one feather bed to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Levy DANIELL twenty five Negro slaves Viz: Toby, Sampson, Simon, July, Cato, Flory, Hannah, John, Mary, David, Will, Rose, Elick?, Seller?, Moses, Joe, Dan, Jack, Milly, March, Sinthy, Vamer, Old Tom, _____, Harriall, and two feather beds, furniture, also one half of the tract of land I now live on the whole of which contains three bounties. Also I lend him the use of ___ of a tract of land lying on the Ocony River in Washington County during the time of eighteen years.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Nancy DANIELL four Negro slaves viz Linder, Cary, Little Rachell, and Nancy, two feather beds and furniture and all my household furniture to her and her heirs forever. I also give her one note of hand of James TAYLOR of two hundred and forty one? pounds Sterling. I lend my wife twenty-one Negro slaves viz Tom the weaver, Hecter, Biner, George, Fillaner, Sanco, Peter, Rose, Pompey, Silvy, Acre, Driver, Rachell, Muiah, Hester, Cate, Dover, Charlotte, Zouer, Daphne, Harry. I also lend her one half of the three bounties of land I now live on together with my dwelling house and plantation. Also one half of my stock of every kind. I likewise lend her one half of my tract of land on the Oconey River in Washington County during her natural life.
Item. I give and bequeath unto William HARDAGE one Negro man Dimbo(?)
Item. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law Robert HANDRICK one tract of land on Alligator Creek which land he has my titles for. Also 50 acres of land on the Broad River to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Patsy HANDRICK three Negroes viz Joe, Ruker, Fillis? I also give her one half of the Negroes that I have lent to my wife after the death of my wife, to her and her heirs forever. (Note: "Patsy HANDRICK" is Louisa Maria HENDRICK, identified as Louisa in her father's 1805 Will and as Louisa Maria HENDRICK in a record of her marriage to Michael J. RUDULPH, Jr. in 1816. RLD)
Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson Jesse Daniell AUSTON, son of Betty AUSTON, when he comes of age, the land lying on the Oconey that I lent to my son Levi DANIELL. I also give him one half of the Negroes that I have lent to my wife after the death of my wife Nancy DANIELL. Now my will is that if either of my two grandchildren Patsey HANDRICK or Jesse Daniell AUSTON should die without lawful a heir of their bodies? that the other should heir it's estate.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Levi DANIELL after the death of my wife the balance of the three bounties whereon I now live and that half of the stock that I lent my wife during her life.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandson Jesse DANIELL AUSTON after the death of my wife the other half of the tract of land lying on the Oconey River. My will further is that if either of my two sons Jose DANIELL or Levi DANIELL should die without a lawful heir of their body that their estate shall go to the other and I do hereby utterly avow and disannull all other of my wills and testaments and for the prosecution? thereof. I do appoint, empower and authorize Levi DANIELL, Jose DANIELL, and William HARDWICK Jr. executors for this my last will and testament in witness whereof I do set my hand and seal this eleventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven.
Signed sealed in the presence of us
Wm BIGGINS? James DANIELL
Wm JONES
James H. JONES
James' will was proven March 5, 1798. Pages 287-289: Inventory & appraisement of est. of JAMES DANIELL, April 2, 3, & 4, 1798. Accounts of James DANIELL, late of Hancock Co. dec'd Inventory and appraisal of part of the Estate as shown to us by Levi DANIEL and Wm. HARDWICK Exors. Total 254.20. James DANIELL's estate records (Hancock Will book AA, page 36-39)