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I Robert Lewis of the city
in New Orleans being of sound mind and memory but weak of body and full of
diseased health do make and declare this as my last will and testament,
hereby revoking all others -to wit:
Item 1st. I desire that
body after death should be buried in decent manner & in a good and solid
burial tomb large enough to contain three persons.
Item 2. I declare that
all my just debts shall be paid.
Item 3. To my frd (friend?)
Archibald A. Taylor, I give and bequeath the lot of ground in Poydras Street
whereon my dwelling home is situated, with all the improvements consisting
of a one-story frame house in front and the two-story brick buildings and
kitchen in the rear, and running back to the dividing wall of my brick ware
house and the said brick buildings and also a four foot Alley or entrance on
each side of the dwelling from Poydras Street, to him and his heirs for
ever. Also all my house tools and kitchen furniture.
To the said Archibald A.
Taylor I further give and bequeath the three female slaves, Patsy, Milley, &
Betsey and their increase.
Item 4. To my slaves
Peter, Phill, Matt and Suss/Guss? I give their freedom & hereby declare
them free at my death. Item 5. To my nephew Hardin Tillman I give the sum
of six thousand dollars, and also the use and benefit of my stables, Drays,
flocks? and Negroes for the space of two months after my death after which
my executor is to have possession of them. Item 6 To my brother Nicholas
Lewis of Alabama I give the use and benefit during his lifetime of all the
balance of my Estate both real and personal & to the heirs of his body
forever should he have any, but should he die without issue, then and
without care I give and bequeath the same to the Boys and Girls Asylum of
New Orleans - in equal proportions to each, provision and being made in the
first place for my mother of one-fourth of all my estate, which by law I
understand she is entitled to.
Item 7. Thereby appoint
my friend Mr. Charles A. Jacobs of the city of New Orleans to be my Executor
and detainer of my estate, & my desire is that he shall have the sole
management, and take possession & make inventory at my death of my said the
Estate.
Dated at New Orleans this
24th day of August 1832 & signed willingly. My hand.
Signed
Robert Lewis
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