them in such
manner as to them shall seem best, among the said slaves.

2nd To pay the expense of their removal & of furnishing them with
necessary cabins, clothes & utensils."

In 1821 another Will was written saying: 1st I give and bequeath
to all my slaves their freedom--heartily regretting that I have
ever been the owner of one.

2nd I give to my executor a sum not exceeding $8,000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary to transport & settle said slaves to
& in some other state or Territory of the United States, giving
to all above the age of 40 not less than ten acres of land each.

Then special annuities to his "old faithful servants Essex & his
wife, Hetty, same to woman servant Nancy to John (alias Jupiter)
to Queen and to Johnny his body servant." In 1826 a codicil was
written confirming previous wills. In 1828 a codicil to will in
possession of Wm. Leigh Esq., confirming it as his last will and
testament revoking any and all other wills or codicil at variance
that may be found.

In 1831 on starting home from London another codicil adding to
former provisions as follows:

Upwards of 2000 L were left in the hands of Baring Bros, & Co of
London & upwards of 1000 L in the hands of Gowan & Marx to be
used by Leigh as fund for executing the will regarding the
slaves.

Respectfully yours,

The following account and the clipping attached thereto give an
interesting story of the success and the philanthropy of a Negro:

I was born in Milledgeville, Ga. about the year 1867. My mother
belonged to a white man by the name of Dr. Garner Edwards. My
father belonged to a different family. About two weeks after I
was born my mother died. She was still working for the same
people who once owned her. She was much liked by them so they
decided to keep her child and try and raise it. They taught me at
home so when I went to school I knew how to read and write. They
sent me to a school four or five years. Dr. Edwards had a son by
the name of Miller or (Buck) Edwards. It was through him that I
received my schooling as Dr. was old and Miller was the support
of the house. After years Miller died and I had to stop school
and go to work. I worked in a number of stores in Milledgeville
and was always trusted.