Record of Bequeathal by Im Joi

This document records the distribution of the property held by a female commoner whose surname was Im to her three offspring in 1608. Although the children had inherited some slaves and farmland while her husband was alive, the document of slave distribution was lost during the Japanese invasions of Joseon of the imjin year (1592) and the jeongyu year (1598). Therefore, she redistributed the property as specified in this record. This document specified the principle of equal distribution, based on which the inherited slaves were distributed despite the small number. The three inheritors included her grandson Kim Sueok on behalf of her deceased eldest daughter, her second son Jongnam, and the youngest daughter Maksaeng. The back of this document records the sale of two of the slaves distributed to the Haenam Yun family four years later in 1612. When the Yun family bought the slaves, this document was attached along with other related documents and has been passed down within the said family. Given that the bequeather referred to herself as Joi the widow, and signed with her right hand instead of using her seal, and that the document specifies the names of her daughters Haesaeng and Maksaeong, it appears that this document is a record of property distribution by a commoner family.