Will of Mary Becknall, Red River County, Texas
Widow of Captain William Becknall

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Submitted by: Cynthia Samples  <>
        Date: May 2002
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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Estate of Mary Becknall, Deceased

Last Will and Testament, filed
May 30, 1864 and recorded in Will
Book B, Page 61, Records of Red
River County, Texas

To All to whom this Writing shall come:- Know Ye, that I, Mary
Becknall, wife of Wiliam Becknall, Deceased, do this day by the Blessings
of God and in His name appoint Benjamin H. Epperson, my Executor to carry
out my Will after my decease and dispose of my property agreeably to my
Will and wish.

My land is to be sold on a credit of two years, to the highest bidder,
bonds and good security given for the payment at the expiration of two
years; but never to be sold for less than $10.00 per acre.


My old man, Phillis, his wife and son, Martin, is given to my daughter,
Cornelia Collins, to have and to hold them as her own property while
she lives. At her death they are to remain with Mary H. Evans and
$500.00 must be given to Cornelia Collins, by different installments
for the support of the old negroes and I wish Mr. Epperson to know that
they are treated kindly.


I wish a monument put over Mr. Becknall's grave, worth $50.00, with
this inscription: "Captain Wm. Becknall; born in the State of Va.,
Amherst Co. Died in the State of Texas, Red River Co., on the 20th day
of April, A.D. 1856, age 68 years. 'He whose merits deserve a Temple,
can scarce find a Tomb'".

A monument over my son, Wm. A. Becknall, worth $40.0. Born in the State
of Mo., Howard County. Died in the State of Texas, Red River County,
February 7, 1858. Age 41 years.

I wish a good post rail fence put around the grave yard with a good
wide gate $500.00 paid to commissioners to assist in building a
meeting-house, which is to be built near the grove on the land which I
have deeded to the Methodist church.


$200.00 is to paid Ann Eliza Turnbull, in lieu of 15 acres of land,
which I promised her for some cattle, which she claimed said cattle
were sold at the sale; the money is never to be paid to Turnbull, but
to herself by installments of $50.00.

My safe is to be given to Cornelia Collins. My bedstead, bed and
clothing is for Sally Evans; my other bed to Lucy Jane Turnbull.

Should my son, John C. Becknall, come home, he is to receive $2,000
from the proceeds of the land & if young Martin wishes to go with him,
I have no objections to his purchasing him from his sister.

If my sister, Mrs. Hannah Evans, should move to Texas, I wish a silver
sugar dish I have given her & $500 in cash. My wagon, corn, cattle and
hogs can be sold.


To Elizabeth, Malinda and Margaret Francis Becknall, daughters of
William A. Becknall, deceased, $400 in cash each; to Malinda Becknall,
$100.

Now, Mr. Epperson, I have done the best I can, placing implicit
confidence in your honor and integrity. I hope God will direct you in
all things and when you settle up this business and pay all expenses,
the balance to be divided among Cornelia Collins, John C. Becknall, and
all my grand children equally. Then, I wish the Court to present you a
certain silver spoon, which is in my box; it has the initials of my
father's and mother's names on the handle. I wish you to accept this as
a momento of the respect and confidence I feel in your honesty and
integrity.


Mary Becknall.

Signed and acknowledged on the 7th day of October, 1862, in the
presence of Wm Humphreys and Ann Eliza Turnbull.

Tested by Wm Humphreys
Tested by Ann Eliza Turnbull.

Now, Mr. Epperson, if you wish to take the land at $10.00 per acre, you
can take it and pay as directed.

October 7, 1862.