1900

State of South Carolina

County of Orangeburg

[Will is handwritten and recorded in the Probate Court of Orangeburg County in Box 120, Folder 8]

I, Charles John Stroman of the County of Orangeburg in the State aforesaid being of sound & disposing mind & body, do make this my last Will & Testament – as follows- that is to say, desire that my body may be buried at the direction of my Executrix - hereinafter named - & I direct that all my just debts be paid out of my Estate as soon after my decease as may be convenient –

First – It is my will & I so direct that my just debts be paid out of my personal Estate if the same be sufficient for that purpose – but in case the same be insufficient then I [missing where cut, need to check original] Rocky Swamp Plantation, if in my possession at the time of my decease, except One hundred Acres on which the old House stands that I have given to my Son Jacob Stroman, be sold by my Executrix, hereinafter named – as she may deem best for the interest of my Estate, - & after paying all incumberances by way of mortgage etc. on said Plantation to apply the balance of proceeds arising from said sale to paying & solidifying my just debts & liabilities, wholly or in part unpaid from the proceeds of my personal Estate & effects –

Secondly – I give and devise unto my Son, C. B. Stroman Two hundred Acres of my said Plantation, One hundred of which shall be upland – And – unto my Son J. B. Stroman, Two hundred Acres of my Said Plantation – One hundred of which shall be upland – And – unto my Son G. E. Stroman, Two hundred Acres One hundred of which shall be upland – And – after their death to the heirs of their body – three of these tracts have already been surveyed by Mr. Robt Guntes,

Thirdly – I give and devise to my friend Miss Mary A. Kingman One hundred Acres of upland to be cut off from my said Dean Swamp Plantation under the direction of my Executrix & next to G. E. Stromans tract [missing words due to alignment of photocopy] said Mary A. Kingman continue to reside with my beloved wife Rosanna Stroman during the natural life of my said wife and I will and direct that the said Mary A. Kingman shall have the right to use & occupy the present rooms in my family residence during the time of her natural life, should she so desire & That during such time she be treated and cared as in my lifetime, -

Fourthly – All the rest residue and remainder of my Estate & effects – as will real and personal wheresoever situate & being, & of what nature & kind being may consist at the time of my decease& not hereinbefore given, devised & bequeasted (sic) – I give devise and bequeath the same & every part & parcel thereof unto my beloved wife Rosanna Stroman to be held & used by her without impeachment or waste or accountability –

At the death of Mary A. Kingman the land [??] hundred Acres as Dean Swamp Plantation is to revert to my wife Rosanna & at her death to her children. –

Lastly – I constitute nominate & appoint my beloved wife Rosanna Stroman, to be the sole Executrix of this my last Will & Testament and I hereby give & grant unto [missing to misalignment of photocopy] & authority to make execute & deliver all Deeds Conveyances & other writings which may be required or become necessary for carrying into full effect this my will & for the speedy settlement &Lawful adjust[??] of my Estate – And I do hereby revoke and make void all former will or wills as any were made by me & I do hereby declare this to be and contain my last Will & Testament –

My daughter Edith Lofton having received from me by Titles One hundred Acres of Land at Rocky Swamp shall have One hundred Acres more at Dean Swamp parallel with G. E. Stroman – In Witness thereof, I the said Chas J. Stroman do subscribe this 4th day of August in the year of our Lord 1900

                                                                        C. J. Stroman (signed)

 

Witnesses

W. S. Porter
R. C. Knight
M. ? Padgett

Notes on will by LRA

Charles John Stroman had a law degree, yet he failed to mention three of his four daughters by his first wife, Mary Rebecca, Caroline Juliet, and Harriet Millar.  Failure to mention a child can often result in a successfully contested will in South Carolina because it might raise questions about the mental condition of the testator.