CULPEPER (and Orange) COUNTY, VA - Will of William Russell, d. Oct. 18, 1757 WILLIAM RUSSELL In the name of God, Amen, I, William Russell of Orange county, being in perfect health and sound memory, and knowing the certainty of death, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament. Imprimis, I Bequeath my soul to God who gave it to me, and my body to the earth to be buried by my executrix, in hopes of a sure and perfect resurrection by the merits of our beloved Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Item, I give all the remainder part of my estate, both real and personal, to be equally divided between my loving sons, William Russell and Henry Russell, and my daughter Katherine Russell, and their heirs forever. Item, I constitute and appoint my loving wife, Mary Russell, executrix of this my last Will and Testament. Witness my had and seal this 10th day of April, 1743. W. Russell Signed, sealed, and pronounced before Joseph Phillips, Wm. Hollady Item, I empower my wife to sell and of my lands to pay my debts, either patent lands or entries, or to buy negroes to be divided amongst my said children. Item, I appoint my sons, William Russell and Henry Russell, joint executors with my loving wife, Mary Russell. I have erased four lines of the inside bequest. Witness my hand and seal this 16th day of October, 1757. W. Russell Signed, sealed, and pronounced before William Watts, W. Ball, John Dixon Wright -------------------------------- At a court held for the county of Culpeper on Thursday, the 17th of August, 1758, the last Will and Testament of William Russell, gentleman, dec'd, was exhibited into court by William Russell, one of the executors therein named, and proved in the following manner: Joseph Phillips swore that he saw the decedent write, sign, seal, and declare the writing exhibited in curt to be his last Will, before any erasement was made therein, and that he was then in his perfect senses. William Green, gentleman, swore that the decedent, two days before he died, requested this deponent to write his Will, telling him that he had an old Will by him which he wanted altered; but this deponent could not conveniently undertake it until he returned from Fredericksburg, with which he seemed satisfied; but before he could return the deceased had died. William Perfect swore tht after Col. Green left, the deceased, two days before he died, ordered his son William to erase several lines in his Will, which being done, he acknow- ledged it to be his Will, and said he had ordered his lands to be sold to pay his debts, and the rest of his estate t be divided among his children, and that he was then in his perfect senses. Thomas Wright swore tht the deceased, two days before he died, called upon the deponent to take notice that he had erased several lines in his Will, and that he now desired that it should stand as it was; which was to sell his estate to pay his debts, and what remained to be divided among his three children, and that he was then in his perfect senses. It is ordered that William Watts, William Ball, and John Dixon Wright be summoned to give further proof, at the next court held for the county aforesaid, on Thursday the 15th day of February, 1759. This said last Will and Testament of William Russell, deceased, was fully proved by the oaths of William Watts and William Ball witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. Mary Russell, widow, and one of the executors therein named, came into court, and refused to take the burden of the execution thereof, and at the same time renounced all benefit and advantage thereof. At a court held for the same county, May the 17th, 1759, this said last Will and Testament of William Russell, deceased, was sworn to by William Russell, an executor therein named, and on his motion, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, having first entered into bond with security, according to law; liberty being reserved for Henry Russell, the other executor in the said Will mentioned, to join in the probate when he shall think fit. Teste, Roger Dixon, Cl'k. Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Linda Russell ************************************************************************ 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. ************************************************************************