Sumter District South Carolina
Joseph Commander Will book D-1, probate bundle 21, pkg. 8
In the name of God Amen: I Joseph Commander of the State of South Carolina, Sumter District, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind perfect mind and memory blessed by Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament; first commend my soul unto God that gave it and my body to be decently buried by my family and friends and as to my worldly property that hath pleased God to bless me with, I give in the following manner namely
First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Commander three Negroes (viz) Simon, Hannah and Biner, also a horse know by the name of Farmer and my riding chair, one cart, and three cows and calves to be selected by herself and the third part of my stock of sheep also two feather beds and furniture and also my kitchen furniture and two hundred fifty bushels of corn of this present crop and ten good hogs for bacon the ensuing year and two sows and ten shoats and my dwelling house, and as much of the plantation as will be necessary for her support during her natural life also not more than one hundred dollars out of the present crop with the exception of that part of the crop that may be given off to either of the other heirs and the above property or as much of it as that may, with the exception of the houses and plantation be equally divided between my lawful heirs at the death of my wife.
I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Commander on field of cotton above eight acres near the miles also one field of corn of sixteen acres, also three cows and calves and three heifers also one third part of my stock of sheep and one half of the remaining stock of hogs after the above is taken out. Also one horse known by the name of the black Snake also one feather bed and furniture.
I give and bequeath unto my son Jarard Commander the remainder of my stock of hogs and sheep.
I give and bequeath unto my two sons Jarard and Robert Commander all my plantation or tract of land lying on the west side of Black River to be equally divided between them with the exception of a tract known by the name of Lewis Smith Tract, reserving to my wife Elizabeth Commander the houses and as much of the land and privileges as she may want from year to year until death. And the Smiths tract of land so called together with tow small tracts one on Stoney Run binding on Joseph Commanders Junr land and in the Creek Swamp adjoining Jacob McLendon tract of land; I wish sold by my executors either at public or private sale as their wisdom may direct for the benefit of my heirs and the residue of my property consisting of Negroes, Horses and cows, and mentioned tracts of land and whatever else is not specified above, to be equally divided between my heirs including my grandchildren the children of Elizabeth McLendon and Rebekah Commander drawing their Mothers' part, equal with!
 my other heirs, deducting however one hundred and thirty dollars form the children of my daughter Rebekah for the benefit of my other heirs being an amount that their father John Commander is due me
Also I wish deducted from my son Thomas Commander part fifty dollars as a consideration due me also for the benefit of my heirs and in case of the death of one or more of my grandchildren so named above.  I wish the surviving brothers or sisters to him their portion, and not knowing by my daughter in the Alabama may be dead, Mrs. Elenor Clark, I wish her children to be provided for in the same manner as my daughters Mary and Rebekahs children as above and it is my wish and will that the property left to my grandchildren should be kept by my executors so as not to be wasted or lost, they to have the benefit of schooling and clothing out of the same but at the same time I wish John Commander and Calvin McLendon my sons in law to have the property in their hand for the benefit of their children until my executors die or believe the same may be in danger of being wasted and the property left to my grandchildren to remain undivided until the marry or arrive at the age of twenty one!
 years.
Lastly I nominate, constitute and appoint Joseph Commander Junr and Robert Commander executors to this my last will and testament and to pay my just debts and to collect all moneys due my estate and see my estate divided as above directed
I do hereby revoke and disannual any other will or wills acknowledging this to be my last will and testament.
As witness my hand and seal this eighteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine signed in presence of Ripley Copland, James Baker Jr., Aaron Baker
Joseph Commander LS
In open court on the 12th day of October AD 1829 the last will and testament of Joseph Commander Senr deceased was proven by the oath of Ripley Copland one of the subscribing witness thereunto at same time Qualified Joseph Commander and Robert Commander named Executors in said will.  William Potts

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