Will of John Crawford, 1796 - Botetourt Co. VA (Submitter note: This will of John Crawford was found at the Botetourt Co., Virginia Court House in Fincastle August 1999. It was transcribed as close as possible from a photo copy of the original will by Peggy Miller.) In the name of God Amen. I JOHN CRAWFORD of Botetourt County in Virginia being of Sound mind and memory. Tho weak in Body and Knowing the great uncertainty of this life do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following to Wit; In the first place I commend my Soul to its great author earnestly imploring his mercy through the merrits of his dear Son Jesus Christ. my Body I desire to be decently Buried at the descretion of my Ext. hereafter named And as to my worldly Estate I do dispose of it in manner following my Will is that my loving WIFE MARGARET CRAWFORD have her living on my plantation until it is Sold and if my Said Wife Should Survive the Sale of Said Land that She Shall then live with one of my three Son's JOHN CRAWFORD, WILLIAM CRAWFORD OR ANDREW CRAWFORD. Which She Shall choose and the other Two to be at an equal Share of Expence in mantaining her during her natural Life. And whereas MY FATHER JOHN CRAWFORD Dec.d did will that the Land I and my BROTHER WILLIAM CRAWFORD now lives on Should be equeally divided between me and my Said BROTHER WILLIAM. My will is and I do hereby authorise and direct my Son JAMES CRAWFORD to divide this Land equeally to my Said Fathers Will And to make a Deed to my Said Brother WILLIAM for his half of Said Land. I give and bequeath to my Son SAMUEL CRAWFORD my young black mare. I give to my Son JOHN CRAWFORD my Bala Horse. I give to my Son ANDREW CRAWFORD my Horse called Martin. I give to my Loving wife MARGARET and my Son WILLIAM the Sorrel Mare between them. I give my DAUGHTER MARGARET CRAWFORD my young ___ Mare and the Cows that are called Him and her, Bed and furniture. My will further is that my Old mare be Sold to pay funeral Charges My will further is that the Cows Called Johns Should be Equilly divided between my three Sons JOHN, ANDREW & WILLIAM, I also will that the Waggon Be Kep for the Use of the Plantation My will further is that my Daughter MARGARET Shall be maintained by her Brothers JOHN, ANDREW & WILLIAM till She marries I also give to my Said Daughter MARGARET a Saddle. I give Also to my wife my Bell cow there are three Young Steers I disire should be killed for the use of the family My sheep my Wife may divide as She pleases among my Children and the hogs for the use of the family. I also give my Negro Woman KATE to my Wife and my Rifle give to my Son JAMES CRAWFORD. I give to my Son JOHN my Family Bible, my Will further is that my three youngest Sons JOHN, ANDREW & WILLIAM cRAWFORD live on my Said Plantation untill WILLIAM comes to the age of Twenty One Years and then all my lands to be Equilly divided between my Said Sons JOHN CRAWFORD, ANDREW CRAWFORD & WILLIAM CRAWFORD to them their Heirs and assigees for Ever. I also will that my Said Sons JOHN, ANDREW & WILLIAM CRAWFORD pay to thier BROTHER JAMES? (James - not clearly spelled) fifteen pounds Currant Money as soon as they can procure it on the Land. I also give to my three Sons JOHN, ANDREW & WILLIAM all my farming utensils? and the Balance of the Bond due from JOHN MOORE to purchase them Saddles and I do hereby Appoint my Sons JAMES CRAWFORD AND JOHN CRAWFORD Executors of this my lat will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills in Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Twenty Fourth Day of September 1796. his mark JOHN CRAWFORD (Seal) Signed Seald and delivered in presence of .................... Edward Mitchell John Eager John Crawford Jur. At December Botetourt Court 1796 This Instrument of writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of John Crawford dec.d was _____ in Court and proved by the Oathes of John Eager and John Crawford Witness thereto Subscribed and therefore ordered to be recorded......... A Copy Test Bowyer EC_? Submitted by Peggy Miller **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************