Source: Probate Court, Wilkinson County, Record Of Returns 1820-1853, Pages 21, 22.
Written: April 3 1817
Recorded: July 1821

"In the name of God, amen!  Knowing all flesh to be subject to death, and being
anasarcal? and looking shortly for a change, have a desire to distribute my
worldly property while sound in mind.  My first request is that my body be
decently buried without superfluity; the next, that my debts be justly paid that
are just, and then as my wife and myself drew a contract before marriage, that
is, that she set up no claim to my property, nor I myself as heir set up any
right to hers, but at my death deliver all of property to her and then I lend
her during life or widowhood the land from the cut-off along this side the lane
next next to the house, with the use of the spring and all houses and cleared
land, and also Jack and Arey and family, with cattle, hogs, corn and fodder to
serve the first year, or her hundred dollars as the contract called for, but the
land is not to be rented, nor the negroes to be hired, but the whole of my
property left togeher until my wife's death, then to be divided as follows:
I give my son Richard's three daughters Jene, Mary and Judy, one hundred dollars
each of them. My daughter Rose, I give the young mare I left with her, and ten
dollars.  My daughter Elizabeth, I give the horse I left with her and ten
dollars. My daughter Anne, I give ten dollars.  My sons, Charles and Benjamin, I
give to each of them ten dollars apiece.
Now for the remainder of my children, Judith, Mary, Behethland, and Lucy, I lend
during their natural lives, but to be divided as follows:  Lucy is to have the
land from the cut-off down each branch to the lines next to Joe Jones, then from
the cut-off along the lane next to their house to the spring, with the care of
my old wench Sabrina, then I lend her during her natural life, my wench Betty
and her children, but the whole of the property at her death that is mentioned,
to her children, except Sabrina which is to possess her house and property.
As for the remaining part of my property, I lend during life to my other three
daughters, Judith, Mary and Behethland, but the property I give to their
children. After the death of my wife, the whole of my property is to be sold by
giving such credit as it will bring the most and after collected equal
distribution made the legatees.
Now for the true performance for my last will and testament I leave my beloved
friend Gen. John Scott, John L. Jones and Elijah Lingo.  And I do revoke all
other wills and leave this as my will and testament.
In witness whereof, I have set my hand the third day of April in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen.
                                   /S/ John Taliaferro (Dr.)
Wit:
James Rabb
Robert Hatcher
Thomas Boazman
Pierce Clay

Additional Comments:
*Will submitted for probate during the July, 1821 term of Ordinary's Court,
Wilkinson County.  Record of Returns, pages 37-38 for 1821 appears record of
sale of his property and appraisers' returns of estate of John Taliaferro.
*1st marriage:  Wife, Mary Hardin md. ca. 1755.  (Daughter of Henry and Judith
(Lynch) Hardin.
*2nd marrige:  supposedly--Lydia Howard in 1814 of Baldwin County, Georgia
*He and Lydia are supposedly buried in Mt. Nebo Cemetery in Wilkinson County.
(We cannot verify their burial place.)
*Source:  Historic Georgia Families,pages 120,121,122,141. Compiled by L. W.
Rigsby, (Originally Published--Cairo, Georgia, 1925-1928) Copyright 1969,
Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland.
*Source:  On-site research -- Probate Court, Irwinton, Wilkinson County, Georgia.
~~~~~
Note:    Re: Dr. John and his wife Mary (Hardin) Taliaferro's daughter~~Rose:
              Rose Taliaferro md. Joseph Porter (Settled in Wilkinson County)
                 Their son, Richard Taliaferro Porter md. Mary Collins Paul
                        (Moved to Alabama)
                      Their daughter, Eliza Ann Porter md. Alexander Stuckey
                         (Residence:  Wilkinson County)
 

contributed by and copyright  R. Elizabeth Brewer 2004