Botetourt County, VA, Will Book A, (partial ************************************************************************** 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. ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************** The records for this work have been submitted by Angela M. Ruley, reddog@rockbridge.net, Natural Bridge, VA, unless otherwise indicated. [©1997 All rights reserved.] ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************** Will Book A, p. 19 William Matthews In the Name of God, Amen. The 23rd day of July in the year of our Lord God 1772, I William Mathews of the County of Botetourt an Colony of Virginia being very sick and weak in Body: but in perfect Mind and Memory. Thanks be given unto God therefore, calling into Minde the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testa- ment That is to say principally and first of all I give and Recom- mend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Like & decent Manner; at the Discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God; and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life. I give bequeath and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First it is my desire that all my Just and Lawfull Debts be paid and the Remainder of my Movable Estate I give and bequeath unto Francis my dearly beloved wife her thirds with her Bed and furniture her body cloaths a horse and sadle worth twenty pounds and her liv- ing of the land during her Widowhood or till my Eldest son John Comes to age which ever shall first happen; secondly I give and bequith unto my dearly beloved daughters Ann & Elizabeth the Remainder of my Moveable Estate to be Equally divided and if either of them dies without Eshew before they come to age the Survivor possesses all; thirdly I give and bequith unto my dearly beloved sons John, Joseph & James the _____ and parcels of land whereon I now live to be sold when they arrive to the years of maturity and the money arrising therefrom to be equally divided amongst them, if either of them dies before they come to age without eshew, the survivors are to injoy it equaly. Lastly I make and Ordain my dearly beloved Brothers Samson and George Mathews my sole Executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Day and Year above Written. Wm. Mathews (Seal) Sign'd, seal'd, published pronounced and declared by the said William Mathews as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers, viz. Mary (her x mark) Mathews; John Murray Elizabeth Mathew John Mathews At a Court held for Botetourt County the 10th day of November 1772 This Instrument of writing purporting to be the the last Will and Testament of William Mathew deceased was presented in Court by George Mathews one of the Executors herein named and proved by Oaths of John Murray and John Mathews Two of the Witnesses and ordered to be recorded And on the Motion of the said George who made Oath according to Law Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate hereof in due form whereupon the said George together with John Murray & Thos. Madison his Securities entered into and acknowledged Bond as the Law directs in the sum of Two Thousand Pounds and leave is reserved to the other Executor to join in the probate hereof. Teste David May DC] Exd. A COPY TESTE: George E. Holt, Jr., Clerk Botetourt County Circuit Court by B. M. Allen, Deputy Clerk, Recorded in Will Book "A", Page 19 and 20 Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk's Office." --------------------------------------------- Will Book A, p. 120. (Abstract) James Moore's Will Son James, eldest son Son John, youngest son Son-in-law, Samuel McClechnenhan My four children, John and James Moore, Martha Ralston, and Jean McClenchan Signed: James Moore (x his mark) Teste: Andrew Woods Robert Woods Marthall Woods made 13 Sep 1776, proven August 1780. ************************************************************************** Page 159, 160 Will of Robert Rowland 1777 Submitted for use in USGenWeb Archives by Joanne Kartak, e-mail kartak@qv.axxess.net and Mary Rowland, e-mail mrowland@olypen.com Transcribed by Mary Rowland Botetourt County Circuit Court: Will Book A, Pages 159, 160 Will of Robert Rowland In the name of God Amen....this Sixteenth of January 1777, I Robert Rowland of Botetourt County & Parish of Botetourt, being at this time in perfect memory. Thanks be to Almighty God for all his Mercies; and calling to Remembrance the uncertain Estate of this transitory life; that all flesh must yield to Death when it shall please the Almighty God to call; I therefore do make, confess and ask, and declare this my last Will and Testament, in Manner and form following: Revoking and annihilating by these presents all and every Testament & Testaments, Will or Wills heretofore by me made or declared either by word or writing; and this is to be taken for my Last Will and Testament and no other: And first calling to the remembrance the Mortality of my Body, I being heartily sorry for my many sins past, I most humbly implore the Almighty God for forgiveness of the same, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it, and I do recommend my body to be decently buried in sure and certain hope of a general Resurrection at the end of the World.... And Secondly, and in order to settle my temporal Estate, which it hath pleased God to endow me with, I do order give and dispose the same in manner and form following: That is to say first, I will that all my Just Debts be Lawfully paid. Secondly, I will that my two sons James Rowland and Thomas Rowland be my Executors of my whole Estate. Thirdly, I will my whole Estate all bills and bonds and booked Debts and all and every part of Movable part of my Estate be fairly and impartially collected by the above Executors, and fairly and equitably divided between my three sons, James Rowland, George Rowland and Thomas Rowland, and Fourthly, I will that all costs of Suits and all funeral expenses be reduced out of my whole Estate and equally divided between James & George & Thomas Rowland; Fifthly, that one fourth part of my whole Estate with expenses reduced out, be equally divided between William Rowland, deceased's children, his oldest son Robert excepted, upon condition that he make an equal division of his Father's land to his Brothers, then the above condition to be void if not, to remain in full force and virtue. And the true meaning of the within I do hereby before these presents witness. Given under my hand this day as above written. Robert Rowland [Seal] Witness's Present: James Hutchison, James Mull Robert Burdwell, John Jackson February Botetourt Court, 1782 This Instrument of Writing was presented in Court & proved by the Oath of Jas. Mull, one of the witnesses and at another Court held for the said County of Botetourt, 8th day of August, 1782. The same was proved by the oath of James Hutchison another witness & ordered to be recorded, and on the Motion of James & Thomas Rowland, the Executors herein named, who made oath according to Law, Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, whereupon they entered into & acknowledged Bond in One Hundred Pounds with Security according to Law Teste: D. May, C.B.C. (Clerk Botetourt Court ************************************************************************ [Transcriber's comment: Robert's Will, written in January 1777 shortly after the death of his son William, leaves 1/4 of his estate to William's children--with the exception of the oldest grand-son, Robert -- UNLESS Robert makes an equal division of his father William's land to his brothers. Apparently this is a precaution only, as at the time Robert's Will is written, his grand-son Robert is no more than 13-14 years old, and assumed to be in the care of his grandfather. Only after Robert's death in 1782, does Botetourt County Court records indicate that William's children were "bound out according to law" to several relatives/friends "until they arrived at the age of twenty-one years.] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Will Book A, p. 161. (Abstract) William McMath's Will Made 16 September 1782 To wife Margaret To Brother James McMath To Son William McMath Signed: William McMath Teste: Samuel Todd Thomas Hardy Benjamin Peck Proven October 1782 ************************************************************************** Submitted and transcribed by Eddie Vaden Will Book A, pages 178-179 Botetourt County, Virginia Will Of Alexander Ingram In The name of God Amen this fifth of December 1780 I Alexander Ingram of Botetourt County and Collony of Virginia being Sick and weak of Body but of Perfect Mind and Memory thanks be to God and calling to mind the Mortality of my Bodyand that it is appointed for all Men once to Die do make, Constitute, and appoint this to be my last Will and Testament. Imprimis I commend my Soul unto Almighty God who gave it nothing doubting but st the general Resurection I shall receive the same by the Mighty Power of Almighty God and my body I recommend to the Earth to be Buryed in a Christian like and Decent Manner at the Discretion of my Executors and touching such Worldly Goods wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with I give Demise and dispose of them in the following manner and form._____ First, I give and Bequeath to my beloved Wife Mary vi Acres of Land on each side of Cravens Branch wherever she Chooses and also my Negro Wench Named Grace during her natural Life and likewise all Beds and Bed-cloths and the whole of my Pewter to her and her Heirs. Secondly I Bequeath to my Daughter Ann and her Husband the half of the Tract of Land I now live on the Branch runing through (? said) Land called Cravens Creek to be the division Line between her or him and then Brother John as far as to a Spring on the West side of (? said) Branch and near the old Mill South and a Line to be run from the (? said) Spring throug 54 Acres of Land of mine adjoining to the Land I now live on to Divide the same in two Equal Parts and my Daughter to have and to hold one half and my Son John the other half I also Will and bequeath to my Daughter Ann a Negro Wench named Eise and it is my Will that the above Land and Wench be the Property of my (? Said) Daughter and her Husband during their natural Lives or the Survivors during their Widowhood and at their Demise to be the Property of their Oldest Son if alive if not to fall to his next Surviving Brother. Secondly to my Sons William and James I Bequeath a Tract of Land on the Bent Mountain of 400 Acres to be equaly Divided between them both as to Quantity and quality and to my son William I Bequeath a Mullato Winch named Bet and to his Eldest Son at his Decease and both Land and Encrease of said Winch to fall to his next Brother as before (symbol) and to my Son James I will & Bequeath a Negro Winch named Poll and at his Decease to be disposed of as above directed (symbol). Thirdly, I give and Bequeath to my Son John the other half of the Tract I now live on And also my Negro Primus and my Winch Grace at his Mothers Decease the above Land and the Encrease of said Winch to fall at his Decease as before Willed, to his Eldest, and further I Will and Bequeath to my Son Wm. One hundred and fifty Acres of Land on the south fork of Lynches Creek in Craven County, and to my Son James two hundred Acres on Lynches Creek bounded on Moore and William Ingrams Land and as I have a Right to 400 Acres of Land besides what is already Willed I leave that to be disposed of Equaly amongst my above Heirs Except one hundred Acres to my Daughter Mary on hanging Rock Creek to her and her heirs and Assigns and Lastly I constitute and appoint my Beloved Wife and my Son John to be whole and Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament and it is my Will and Request that my Sons William Ingram, James Ingram, and John and Alexander Ingram Jr. Do each of them pay fifteen Pounds hard Mpney or Equivolent thereunto to purchase her a Negro Wench and I hereby Revoke and Disanul all and every other and former Wills and Testaments by me made Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Affixed my Seal the Day and Year first-above written. Signed, Sealed, Published and declared to be the last Will of Alexander Ingram in the Presence of Wm Bryans Wm Neilly Alexander Ingram Robt. Neilly May Botetourt Court 1783 this Instrument of Writing was presented in Court as and for the Last Will and Testament of Alex Ingram dec'd & proved by the Oaths of William Bryan, William Neily & Robert Neily as Witnesses thereto & on the Motion of John Ingram one of the Executors therein named is admitted to Record whereupon Certificate is granted him for Obtaining a Probat thereof in due form he having forst made Oath entered into and Acknowledged Bond in two thousand Pounds according to Law with Phillip Love & Ane??? Armstrong his Securities. Testes D. May C.B.C. (note: Anyone wishing a scanned copy of the above document can contact Eddie Vaden at evaden@home.com ) ************************************************************************** Will Bk A p. 268 Will of John Poage written 8/9/1788 probated 4/15/1789 at Botetourt Co, VA. Will of JOHN POAGE: In the name of God, Amen. I John Poage of Botetourt County of the State of Virginia being sick and weake of body but of perfect mind and memory caling to mind the Mortality of my body and knowing it is apoynted for all Men once to die: First of all I recomend my Soul to God who give it and my body to be buried in the Earth at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned believing that I shall receive the Same again by the Mighty power of God at the General Resuration, And as touching what Worley Goods it has pleased God to bestow on me I shall dispose of in Manner and form as followeth Viz first of all I order all my just and lawful debts to be payd and funeral charges, Secondly I order all the rest of my Estate both Reil and Personal to be propagated to the Seport of my derly and well beloved Wife Martha and raising and schooling my children (but and if) at any future period of time my Executors should think it for the benefit and advantage of any of my sons to bind them to Traids I order them to do it. Lastly I constitue and apoynte trusty friends John Allen, Jonathan and George Poage and my derly and well beloved wife Martha to execute this my last Will and Testament and do revoke, disannull ? all other Will or Wills heretofore made by me and this to be my last Will and Testment Sailed with my hand and dated the 9th of August 1788. John Poage (Sail). Signed sailed and delivered in presents of us, John Mitchell, Betsy Mitchell (her mark), Rachel Poage (her mark). At a Court continued and held for Botetourt County the 15th day of April 1789 This Instrument of writing was produced in the Court as and for the last Will and Testament of John Poage deceased and proved by the Oaths of John Mitchell, Rachel Poage two of the witnesses thereof and thereupon ordered to be recorded and on the motion of George Poage, Martha Poage and John Allen the Executors therein named. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form, they having first made Oath, entered into and acknowledged their bond with William Davidson their security in the penalty of five hundred pounds, conditioned as the law directs. Signed ??? Submitted by "John McNearney" ----------- Page 271 - 272 Botetourt County Courthouse Will Book A, pp 271-272 Will of Elizabeth Christian In the name of God Amen. I Elizabeth Christian of Botetourt County being of sound judgement and memory convinced of the uncertainty of human life, make this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking, canceling and anuling all former Wills Testament whatever heretofore made by me, And I hereby dispose of my Worldly Estate in the following manner. That is to say, I give, will and bequeath to my daughter Annie the wife of William Fleming my negro fellow Dawson to her, her heirs and assigns forever. I likewise give, will and bequeath to my grand daughter Elizabeth Fleming, my negro fellow named Isaac to her, her heirs or assings forever, but should the said Elizabeth die before she comes of age, or before she marries, then it is my Will and desire that her next oldest surviving sister shall have my said negro Isaac to her, her heirs or assigns forever. Likewise, I give, will and bequeath to my grandson Fleming Trigg my negro named Bill to him his heirs or assigns for ever, but should the said Fleming Trigg die before he comes of age or marries, I then desire that my said negro Will shall go to Stephen Trigg, brother to the said Fleming Trigg, to him his heirs or assigns for ever. I likewise give, will and bequeath to my grand daughter Elizabeth Trigg my negro Girl called Kate to her, her heirs or assigns for ever, but should the said Elizabeth Trigg die before she marries or comes of age, it is my will and desire that my said Negro Kate shall go to Mary Trigg sister to the said Elizabeth, to her heirs or assigns for ever. And it is further my desire that my Negroes which I bequeath to my grandchildren shall not be claimed sooner than twelve months after my decease and to the fulfilling and carrying into execution this my Will, I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint William Fleming and William McClanahan of Botetourt County, my executors. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my seal this twenty third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight. Elizabeth Christian (seal) Signed sealed and acknowledged before Samuel Walker, Jr. James Stewart Joseph Richardson At a Court held for Botetourt County the eighth day of September 1789. This instrument of writing was produced in Court for and as the last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Christian deceased, and proven by the oaths of Samuel Walker Jr., James Stewart and Joseph Richardson witnesses thereto, and thereupon ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of William Fleming and William McClanahan, executors therein named, Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probat thereof in due form, they having first made Oath, entered into and acknowledged bond with Patrick Lockhart and James Mason their securities in the penalty of five hundred pounds, conditioned as the law directs. Teste H. Bowyer CBC Submitted by: Karen Bowyer ------- Page 290 - 291 Will Book A, pp 290-291 Appraisement-Elizabeth Christian Agreeable to an order of Botetourt Court appointing Frances Graham James Robertson William Nowall and George Spotts or any three of them to appraise the Estate of Elizabeth Christian deceased and make a return to the Court do certify that we the subscribers being duly qualified do appraise the slaves hereafter mentioned and a grey horse to the sums affixed viz: A negro fellow named Isaac to 70 pounds A Boy named Will to 45 pounds and a girl named Kate to 40 pounds likewise a gray horse to eight pounds. The amount one hundred and eighty three pounds...as witness our hands August 28th 1790 Frances Graham James Robertson William Nowall I do certify that the above appraisers was duly qualified before me this 28th August 1790 James Mason At a Court held for Botetourt County the 14th day of September 1790. This inventory appraisement of the Estate of Elizabeth Christian, deceased, was returned to court and thereupon ordered to be recorded. Test H Bowyer CBC Submitted by Karen Bowyer