James F. Ridgeway's Will

In the name of God Amen. I, James F. Ridgeway of South Carolina and District of Sumter being at this time of sound mind and disposing memory, but knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die do hereby make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. First I commit my body to the earth, and my soul into the hands of God my creator, my preserver, and redeemer, And as touching my worldly goods wherewith God has been pleased to bless me, I dispose of in manner and form following. (ToWit)
First, I Give, devise, and bequeath unto my beloved wife Polly Ridgway, Three Negro slaves, named, July, Lucy, and Elsey, together with all my household and kitchen furniture, one Man called Light Foot during the term of her natural life and at her death whatever shall be remaining of the above mentioned property shall be equally divided between such of my children as may survive her. 2nd,In order to pay off my just and lawful debts, I hereby designate and set apart the following property to be sold, namely Jane and her Three children, John, Phillis, and Delia, my Blacksmith's Tools, cart, my mare Linnet and her colt, and my stock of cattle, But in the sale of my stock of cattle I desire my Executor shall exercise much care and caution, so as not to sell any that belong to my children, they having stock in the same mark and Brand, and such as they may point out and claim as their own property are not to be sold, when all these sales shall have been effected, and the money arising there from, be collected my Executor is hereby directed to pay off my debts which have been by me contracted, and the balance remaining to be appropriated to the use of my children in the following manner (To Wit) one fourth to my daughter Easter A. Poole as soon as practicable, the residue to remain in the hands of my Executor until my son Joseph Newton shall arrive at the age of twenty one Years and then to be paid his portion being one half the remainder, and the other fourth still remaining to be paid to my daughter Mary L. when she shall either marry or arrive at the age of Twenty one. But in case my son Joseph N. and my daughter Mary L. should die or either of them before the time or times specified above, then and in that case, their part or parts portion or portions to be equally divided between the survivor.
3rd.) My Executor herein after to be named, are hereby directed and specially charged to procure Head and foot stones, with suitable inscriptions thereon, and have so placed as to mark the spot where my body and also that of my Father have been deposited, and to pay for the same out of such funds as may first come into his hands-----
4th.) I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my worthy friend James C. Strange sole Executor to this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all Wills heretofore made by me.

Signed & sealed, published & de- clared by the said Testator to be his last Will & Testament in our presence & in the presence of each other subscribed our names as witnesses thereto August 26th 1847

Moses M. Benbow
George Roe
John W. Brogden