In 1830, the William Parks household still lived in Lincoln County, in District 186, a M ILITIA D ISTRICT . William was age 40-49 and a female probably Elizabeth was age 30-39. They now had four children plus William’s child. William owned 15 slaves. 14 Map, Graham, “Lincoln County, Georgia, Watercourses and Militia Districts” In 1840 the William Parks household had seven members: William, Elizabeth and their five children, four boys and one girl. William and Elizabeth were ages 50-59 and 40-49 respectively; William owned 31 slaves. 15 William was ill and probably feared he would not recover. In his will signed 9 September 1840, he named wife Elizabeth and children Lewis, James, William, John and Elizabeth. William gave the executor authority to divide and distribute his property. Debts may have been considerable because he wanted 400 acres and an interest in a “Gold lot” sold to satisfy creditors before property was divided and distributed. Also, to help raise any needed cash, he wanted five male slaves hired out, that is, rented. William wanted his family and slaves to stay together where they currently lived until his property was divided and distributed. While Elizabeth was a widow, after debts were paid, she had “entire control and ownership of the family residence.” But, if she remarried, the executor was to: sell the home and land; divide the proceeds six ways among family members; place slaves in six equal lots; and allocate slaves among the members by drawing lots. William’s fears were well founded. He died at age 58 2 January 1841 near Goshen in Lincoln County. When he died, William had been a Methodist for more than 20 years. 16 14 1830 U.S. census, Lincoln County, Georgia, District 186 (James McMillon Capt.), p. 60 (penned), Wm [William] Parks; digital image, Ancestry.com (access through participating libraries : 22 February 2019); citing NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 19. The Ancestry abstracter mistakenly interpreted the Parks household location as District 185. It was the first household enumerated in District 186. 15 1840 U.S. census, Lincoln County, Georgia, p. 220 (printed), William Porks [Parks]; digital image, Ancestry.com (access through participating libraries : 22 February 2019); citing FHL microfilm 0007045. 16 “Georgia Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992,” database with images, Ancestry.com (access through participating libraries: 25 April 2019), image, William Parks will, 9 September 1840, 1 February 1841; citing Georgia, Court of Ordinary, Lincoln County, Wills,
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