In the name of God, Amen!

   I, RICHARD WHITAKER Whitaker, of the County of Wilkinson and the State of Georgia, being sick and in a low condition, but in perfect mind  and memory and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make this my last Will and Testament. First of all, I bequeath my sound to God who gave it. Secondly, I request that my body be buried in a Christian manner, and as to my property, I give and bequeath as follows:

   That my just debts shall be paid, first. Second, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, MARGARET WHITAKER, all the lands called the Mayo lands, during her lifetime; and as to my property, I give and bequeath as follows:

     And as to MARY C. BEALL, as to her portion, I have given in my lifetime. And NATHANIEL P. WHITAKER has received his portion in my lifetime. And as to my son, RICHARD THOMAS WHITAKER,  he has received his portion, with the exception of one bed and furniture, after my decease. As to my daughter, FRANCES B. GRAHAM, she has received her portion in my lifetime; and as to HUDSON WHITAKER, he has received his portion in my lifetime.

    And as to MILDRED WHITAKER, she has received her portion in my lifetime with the exception that she shall receive one bed and furniture. As as to my aforesaid beloved wife, MARGARET WHITAKER, I give and bequeath to her my Negroes, viz: Clayborn, Grigg, Rondle, Leaman, Leah, Nathan, Nan and Joseph to have and to hold the same during her lifetime; and after he decease that the above named Negroes; with their increase, shall belong to my daughter: ROWSAMAN T. WHITAKER, with one cow, bed, and furniture. And as to the above named lands, after decease of my wife, I request it should be equally divided between my three sons. Witness my hand this day and date above written.

(s)Richard Whitaker
 
 

Notes: Richard Whitaker died May 6, 1844 in Wilkinson County, Ga.
Margaret (Smith) Whitaker was his second wife . His first wife and mother of his children,
Francis "Nancy" Pace died  January 2, 1837.
Mary C. Whitaker  married  Alpheus Beall and lived in Upson County, Ga..
Nathaniel Pace Whitaker married  Nancy Elizabeth Stokes. He died at "The Crater"  August 8 1864.
Richard Thomas Whitaker married Elizabeth "Betsy" Rivers. They moved to Mississippi.
Frances B. Whitaker  married  Thompson Graham  and lived in Upson County, Ga.
Hudson Whitaker married Georgia A. Allen
Elizabeth Mildred Whitaker  married  Benjamin Bethel, Jr. and lived in Upson County, Ga.
Rowsaman/Rosamond Whitaker died unmarried in 1853.