W. P. S. FIELDER
Last Will & Testament
Proven and set up at the
December Term 1856

I W. P. S. FIELDER being of sound mind and memory do make & publish this my last will & testament in manner and form following: i. e: to say, I commend my soul into the hands of a merciful God in Christ I wish my body to be buried close to my two infants but west of them in a plain Christian like manner; no parade. I wish all my lawful debts to be paid & all my property remain as it now is for the use of my wife & children; only such of it as it would be best to sell which I leave to the judgement of my wife S. B. FIELDER. The money which is owing to me I wish to be lent out at six per cent with the understanding that the borrower pay the Tax on it he giving bond & two approved securities. I wish wife in conjunction with my children to have the controle of all my property buying & selling for the family so as to promote its best interest; my lands I except which shall not be sold in any case untill my youngest child that shall be living at the time shall have arrived at the age of eighteen years; at which time I wish all my property to sold & equeally divided between wife and children she retaing her life time estate in that portion of the land that the law allows her; In the mean time if any of the children marry or arrive at the age of Twenty one, they shall be privileged to settle on either tract of land near the lines so as to give all an equel chance & shall not pay any rent, for all they may clear & cultivate for five years there after also I wish all my children to be learned to read write & cypher so far as to be able to attend to their own business matters; but in case my wife shall marry or die; then in either case all my property shall be sold & divided as stated above; by my children if old enough; but if none of them are twenty years old or can not give sufficient security; then by some one when the county court may appoint he giving bond & approved security. My Sons shall in case my property is sold be free at the age of Twenty & those under that age shall be put to the Carpenters, or Blacksmith's trade at the age of Eighteen untill they arrive at the age they shal labor on the farm & go to school wherever they can get the best homes in point of morals and old fashioned religion, as to my daughters I recommend them to the Masonic Fraternity to obtain suitable homes for them. I wish particular care to be taken of their morals and religious education. I pray God however that my wife may be permitted to live & see to the raising & education of all my children in which case they will have a home & mother.

W. P. S. FIELDER (Seal)

Witnesses:
A. T. FIELDER
S. A. YORK

Codicile to the above will.

By my children are meant the following B. T. W. FIELDER, A. M. J. FIELDER, J. F. FIELDER M. E. H. FIELDER, S. M. L. FIELDER, M. A. F. FIELDER and the one now it it's mothers womb to them and their bodily heirs.

As witness my hand and seal this 26th day of December 1856

W. P. S. FIELDER (Seal)

Witnesses:
A. T. FIELDER
S. A. YORK