The State of South Carolina
Orangeburg County
[Will is handwritten and recorded in the Probate Court of Orangeburg County in Box 53, Folder 1]
In the name of God, Amen. I, Jacob Stroman of Orangeburg County in the State aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking an annulling all former wills and testaments by me made.
1st It is my will and desire, that all my just debts be paid.
2nd I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary L. Stroman, six hundred acres of land, the said land to include my Homestead. It is my wish that for the purpose of allotting the said six hundred acres of land to my beloved wife, Mary L. Stroman, the northern or upper line shall commence at the dividing line of the Estate Lands of Martin Friday Deceased and my own lands, near the Head of a certain Ditch, running through what was formerly a Cypress Pond, in my Field known as the Big Field; the line running thence to the Ditch and down the Ditch through said Big Field; thence down the drain of said Ditch to high water mark of my Mill Pond; thence, up the side of my Mill Pond, as far as will secure without doubt , all the benefits of my Mills and Pond, to my wife; thence across Rockey Swamp Creek; thence down my mill pond until the line crosses the Road, passing immediately below my mills; thence to the Stream of Rockey Swamp Creek, thence down the stream of said creek, so far, that a straight line from thence, to the Est. Lands of Martin Friday Dec’d, will include the said six hundred acres of land; the southern or lower line to be run as parallel as possible to the northern or upper line, not taking into consideration the direction of the lines around my Mill Pond. My Son-in-law Paul S. Felder and myself have executed a certain contract respecting my mills and this above bequest to my wife is not to interfere with the fulfillment of said contract. The said lines around my Mill-pond shall be run in such manner so as to secure all the benefits of my Pond, Mills, etc., to my Wife Mary L. Stroman, the same as to my self whilst living. The above bequest to my beloved wife, Mary L. Stroman, together with all the benefits thereof, shall be hers during her natural life and at the time of her death all of the said property shall revert to my children Ann M. Felder & Charles J Stroman to be divided equally between them.
3rd I also give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary L. Stroman the following property in Fee Simple, to have hand to hold. Viz The one third part of all my Personal Property, - including, Moneys, Bonds, Notes and interests in Banks, Corporations etc. All the household and kitchen furniture, the Carriage and a pair of horses, such as she may select, over and above my other personal Property, and one third part of the crop on hand or to be gathered.
4th I furthermore give and bequeath all the ballance (sic) of my Real Estate and Personal Property to my two beloved children Ann M. Felder and Charles J. Stroman to be equally divided between them share &share alike.
5th I furthermore nominate & appoint Paul S. Felder Executor of this my last Will and Testament and my desire is, that my said Executor shall choose five disinterested persons to divide and dispose of all my property both Real and Personal in accordance with this my last Will & Testament; moreover, I also desire, that my said Executor shall execute this my last Will and Testament, without being controled (sic) in any manner by any legal officer or Court whatever.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand and eight hundred and seventy two and in the ninety six year of American Independence.
Jacob Stroman L.L.(seal)
Signed and subscribed by the Testator, as his last will and Testament, in the presence of us, who have signed this same as witnesses, in the presence of each other and the presence of the Testator.
| R. B. Tarrant |
| A. J. Walling |
| James X Carson (his mark) |
In consideration of better securing the interests of my Estate, to the legal heirs, I do hereby, in the presence of these witnesses make this Codicil to, as part and parcel of, my last Will and Testament, Viz In addition to Col. P. S. Felder, named in Said Will as Executor, I do here-by appoint with him, My Wife Mary L. Stroman and My Son C. J. Stroman as Co. Executrix and Executor to be possessed of equal rights and privileges in law in settling my Estate.
Signed and sealed in the presence of-these witnesses and attached to the said will this 4th day of Ja??? A. D. 1875??
[Missing in copy-probably insignificant]
Jacob Stroman L.L.(seal)
[Missing in copy-probably insignificant]
E A Summers
Notes by LRA
R. B. Tarrant was the nephew of Mary L. Stroman (widow of Dr. Amaker and third wife of Jacob Stroman) and she was living in his home when she died in 1880.