Gregg Bonner's Will of James Cottle
{James Cottle}

Will of James Cottle, Chambers County, Alabama

Will Book III, 1855-1895, page 129 - 131

Sworn and subscribed before me this 20th day of Jan. 1864: Charles A. Brown, John Appleby, Judge of Probate

State of Alabama, Chambers County in the name of God, Amen.

Item #1 - I, James Cottle, of the County and State aforesaid, being of sound mind and disposing memory, and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transatory life, do therefore, make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament. That is to say after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate, both real and personal, I give and bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit:

Item #2 - it is my will and desire that all my property, both real and personal, be sold as soon as convenient and for my executors to do so according to law.

Item #3 - I give and bequeath unto my present wife, Melissa Jane Cottle, the first twenty dollars of the proceeds of the sale of all my property for her own use and benefit, and the remainder of my estate, I will and desire shall be divided among all my children, as herein after described.

Item #4 - Whereas, from time to time, I have given my older children goods and chattels for which I have kept an account against them and which I attach to this will and testament. Now it is my desire that the accounts, as they stand charged against them individually, may and shall stand good against them at the time of the division of my estate so that all may have, share and share alike.

Item #5 - It is also my desire and will that my executors shall, during the management of my estate, be allowed to advance for them, upon the same principal and times I have done, as will appears from the accompanying accounts.

Item #6 - I make, constitute, and appoint William S. Cottle, Israel Cottle and James M. Cottle, my sole executors to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills made by me.

In witness thereof, I have set my hand and affixed my seal, this 12th day October, 1858. (seal) his (X) mark - James Cottle

Signed, sealed and published and declared to be the last will and testament of James Cottle, by him in our presence, and at his request, and in his presence have signed our names as witnesses. There today and above date written. John H. Young, Z. M. Hutchins


The State of Alabama
Chambers County

Before me appears John Appleby, Judge of the probate court of said county. Personally appearing in open court, Z. M. Hutchins, who having been by me, duly shown, examined and defined and say on oath that he is a subscribing witness to the instrument of writing now shown to him and which perports to be the last will and testament of James Cottle, deceased. Signed and executed said instrument on the day the same bears date, and declares the same to be his last will and testament, and that affiant set this signature thereto this day, the same in presence of said testator, that said testator was of sound mind and disposing memory and in the opinion of testator fully capable of making his will at the time said was made. As foresaid, affidavit further states that said testator was on the day of the date, of the said will of the full age of twenty-one and upward.

Z. M. Hutchins

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day Jan. 1864.
John Appleby, Judge of Probate

Last update: 23 January 2012: