This is the Last Will & Testament of Alexander Slay, Sr. of Copiah County, Mississippi, transcribed by J. Bradley Jeffreys, as found in Copiah County Chancery Court, Cause No. 889, William Miller vs. Estate of Alexander Slay

The last will and testament of Alexander Slay of the county of Copiah in the state of Mississippi

I    1 - I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses may be paid by my executor hereinafter named with all convenient speed, after my decease and I do hereby subject charge and make liable all and every thing belonging to my real and personal estate and effects, whatsoever and wherever it be, to and with the payment of the same.

2 - I direct that after the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses that the residue of my estate be equally divided between my children and grandchildren whose parents are dead – share and share alike according to the law of descent of said state.

I     3 - I do hereby nominate and appoint William Miller executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others heretofore by me made.

                                                                                                   Alexander Slay

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Alexander Slay as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto set and subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto, this the 11th day of March, A.D. 1878.

W.W. Miller

H. Nichols

S.B. Redus

To the Honorable E.G. Peyton, Chancellor of the 9th Chancery }
Court District of the State of Mississippi presiding in Copiah    }

        The petition of Martha Miller and William Miller her husband, Nathan W. Slay, Norvel Slay, Alonzo Slay, Ophelia Briley and George Briley her husband, Cornelia Slay and Thomas Slay her husband, Coradon Slay and Richard Bettersworth assignee of the said Coradon, and Matilda Bishop and Warner Bishop her husband, all citizens of Copiah County, State of Mississippi would respectfully represent unto your Honor that they are heirs and distributes at law of Alexander Slay late of said county now deceased.  Your petitioners would further represent unto your Honor that said Alexander Slay left the following grandchildren who are minors under the age of twenty one years who are also heirs and distributees of said estate, to-wit, Elijah Slay, Mary Slay, Elizabeth Slay and Alexander Slay.  The said petition further showeth unto your Honor that William Miller, the executor of the last will and testament of the said Alexander Slay, by a decree of this honorable court rendered on the 15th day of January 1879 compromised certain debts due said testator and took in lieu therefor the following lot or parcel of land situate in the town of Crystal Springs, Copiah County, Mississippi, described as follows, to-wit:  Lots 11, 12 and 13 South of Lee Avenue, containing 2-1/9 acres, more or less.

        The said petition further shows that there are no debts due or owing against the estate of said Testator.  And that the said petitioners are anxious to realize whatever is due them from said estate and believing that a sale of said lot of land would redound to the interest of all persons interested in the distribution of said estate and further believing that said lot will bring a fair price, would therefore pray your Honor to have Elijah Slay and Lucy Matthews his guardian, Alexander Slay, Mary Slay and Elizabeth Slay made party defendants to this proceeding and that a writ of subpoena issue requiring the said Elijah Slay and Lucy Matthews his guardian, Alexander Slay, Mary Slay and Elizabeth Slay to be and appear before this honorable Court at Rules on the 2nd Monday in March next to show cause why the said lot or parcel of land should not be sold for division among the heirs of said testator.  And upon a final hearing of said cause that your Honor grant a decree for the sale thereof.  And your petitioners are in duty bound, etc. all of which is respectfully submitted.

Martha Miller

Wm Miller

N.W. Slay

Norvell Slay

Corydon Slay

Alonzo Slay

Cornelia Slay

Thomas J. Slay

Ophelia Briley

G.W. Briley

Tillie Bishop

C.W. Bishop

Lucy Matthews

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 29th day of January 1880

J.M. Norman
Chancery Clerk