THE ESTATE OF ELIJAH MORRIS
Elijah Morris was the father of John Morris, who married Isaac Reed's daughter, Francis. John and Francis married on Aug 10, 1837, one of the first marriages in the Republic of Texas. Elijah is the Great-Great-Great Grandfather of Gloria Briley Mayfield.
THE ESTATE OF ELIJAH MORRIS
THE STATE OF TEXAS In the County Court of Shelby
COUNTY OF SHELBY County Texas pertaining to the estates of deceased persons
Nov. term A.D. 1865
To the Hon. J.C. Tatum chief Justice and ex officio Judge of the Probate Court, Your petitioners B.F. Morris, William Morris, and James Morris of the Counties of Shelby and Panola, state aforesaid, respectfully show that Elijah Morris, who was their father, departed this life at county of Shelby sometime in the month of____? ___ A.D. 186?. leaving a last will and testament which is hereto attached and which is hereby referred to and prayed to be taken as a part of this petition.
Petitioners pray that the necessary notice be given and said will admitted to probate and that letters of executorship issued to them in accordance with the provision of said last will and testament. They further pray that you make all necessary orders in the said will and in premises and in duty bound will every pray etc. Nov.12, l865. William Morris Benj.F. Morris James Morris
Bt. R.L. Parker, County Clerk Shelby County
(Endorsed) Wm. Morris, et al, petition to probate will etc. Filed 11th Nov. 1865, R.L. Parker County Clerk,
Recorded Aug. 22 1866
THE STATE OF TEXAS
SHELBY COUNTY
In the name of God, Amen. I Elijah Morris of the County and State aforesaid being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life I therefore make and ordain publish and declare this to be my last will and testament. This is to say, First after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged and the residue of my estate real and personal I give and bequeath and dispose of as follows: To my beloved the land and appurtenances situated in the county and state aforesaid and known as the place whereupon I now reside, containing 500 acres and to have during her natural life and at her death to go to my daughter Elizabeth also to my beloved wife a negro man called Big Charles about 27 years old and his wife Ann, aged about 40 years and at my wifes death the Negroes are to be disposed of with the balance of the undivided property for the equal benefit of all my lawful heirs.
To my son William eleven hundred and thirty seven and a half acres of land situated and lying in Panola County on Murvall Bayou where he now resides.
To my daughter Mary five hundred acres of land situated in Panola County on Murvall Bayou.
To my son John one thousand acres more or less situated in Shelby County and Panola County on Buck Creek.
To my son Isaac five hundred acres of land situated in Panola County on the waters of the Murvall Bayou.
To my son James one thousand acres of land more or less situated in Shelby and Panola Counties on the Sabine River.
To my son Benjamine Franklin five hundred acres of land more or less situated in Shelby and Panola Counties on the water of Buck Creek.
To my daughter Sarah five hundred acres of land more or less situated in Shelby County on the waters of Buck Creek.
To my Daughter Louisiana five hundred acres of land situated on the waters of Buck Creek.
To my daughter Elizabeth five hundred acres of land, my homestead place at the death of my wife.
I give and bequeath and divide all the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal estate to my children or their heairs who may be living at the time of my decease to be divided equally between them share and share alike. Likewise I make Constitute and appoint by sons William, Benjamine Franklin, and James Morris, to be executors of this my last will and testament hereaby revoking all former wills and testaments aby me made and that said estate be settled up and settled and disposed of as before stated without going into the Probate Court.
In testament whereof I here unto subscribe my name and affix my seal(using a scrowl for a seal) This 12th day of August in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and sixty two.
Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield
Great-great-great-great-grand daughter