Caroline County, VA - Will: John Seal, 1857 Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Janet Tennett ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES 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 submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Will of John Seal 1857 In the name of God Amen I John Seal of Caroline County and State of Virginia being in perfect health and memory but knowing that life is uncertain and that it is appointed for all men to die and after death the Judgement (sic), and being desirious (sic) to prepare for such an event do therefore make appoint and ordain this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills made by me. Item 1st I desire that all my just debts be paid and if my beloved wife survives me that she remain in peacible (sic) and quiet possession of everything during her life. Item 2nd I lend to my son in law Achiles Southworth and his wife Catherine who was Catherine Seal during their lives fifty cents and at their deaths to be equally divided between their children and no other part of my estate. Item 3rd I lend to my daughter Edmonia C. Luisen who was Edmonia C. Seal the house I now ocupy (sic) and fifty acres of land to be laid off as she may desire to her for her life and at her death to her child or children, if she leaves no child to my other children, the balance of my land I wish equally divided between Joanna Barlow who was Joanna Seal, I give her portion to her and her heirs forever, Mary Kell(e)y who was Mary Seal and Ira Seal, I loan to them this portion during their natural life and at their deaths to go to their children Margaret Martin who was Margaret Seal Marshe Houston who was Marshe Seal Festus Seal Juliet Seal I give them their portion forever to my youngest daughter Juliet in case she does not mary (sic) in my life time to be made equal with the rest of my children I give one bed and bedstead and all the necessary furniture one cow and calf and fifteen dollars. I wish Joanna, Edmonia, Mary, Ira, Margaret, Marshe, Festus and Juliet to have an equal portion of my perishable estate. I leave as my administrator my son Festus Seal without security. Witness my hand and seal in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two the 14th May. John Seal (seal) Witness Silas I. Broaddus John W. Shepherd Charles W. Jones In Caroline County Court January 12th 1857. The last will and testament of John Seal deceased was produced in Court & proved by the oaths of Silas I. Broaddus and Charles W. Jones two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. On motion of Festus Seal the executor name in said will he having taken the oath of an executor intered (sic) into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of thirty four hundred dollars conditioned according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat (sic) of said will in due form no security taken the testator requesting by his side will that none should be required. Teste John S. Pendleton (seal) Information taken from Will book at Caroline County Courthouse, Bowling Green, Caroline County, Virginia in January 2002.