Will of Joseph Shelton, 1784 - LOUISA COUNTY, VA OCTOBER 11, 1784 Pg. 29 In the name of God amen I Joseph Shelton of Louisa County being in health and good understanding at present considering the uncertainty of human life make this my last Will and testament to dispose of my estate in manner following; Viz. I resign my soul as ----- to God who gave men to obtain as I hope a happy immortality. My Will is that all my debts regularly discharged in the first plan. I give and bequeath to my brother David Shelton and to his heirs forever all my tract of land in Goochland County called wild bow creek, with all the cattle, horses, cows, hogs and other utensils and appurtenances thereunto belonging. Item - I give unto my brother Samuel Shelton forever my tract of land in Goochland on licking hole branch with all the horses, cows, hogs with all other utensils and appurtenances there to belonging. Item - I give to my brother William Shelton and to his heirs for ever my tract of land in Louisa County upon Owens Creek with all the cows, horses, hogs and other utensils and appurtenances thereto belonging. Item - I give to my brother Johns’ son William and to his heirs forever my tract of land in Louisa County called the horse shoe with all the cows, horses, hogs and the utensils and appurtenances thereto belonging. Also two hundred pounds current money of Virginia. Item - I give to my brother Johns son, John Shelton, Jr. after my decease and the decease of my sister Mary Truehart my tract of land in Hanover County on Tolapolamoy(?) creek to him and to his heirs forever with all the cattle, horses, hogs and all other utensils and appurtenances thereto belonging. Item - I give Sister Mary Truehart the last above mentioned tract of land in Hanover during her widowhood or during her natural life with twenty head of cattle, and twenty head of hogs, two good plough horses and the following Negroes; Viz. Henry Wh---- and his wife Sary and her increase Bristol Parker a young fellow, Jane Solamon --- ---- Moses, and the children of Sarah above named. But if my Sister Truehart shall marry then immediately the above tract of land with all the cattle, horses, hogs and other appurtenances thereto belonging shall belong to my brothers son, John and to his heirs forever. Item - I give household furniture to be equally divided between my brother William Shelton and John Shelton and my brother Johns son. Pg. 30 Item I give and bequeath all my Negroes, young and old, at all my plantations above named to be equally divided between my three brothers; David, Samuel and William, and those tent. to Sister Trueheart also after her death or widowhood to them and to their heirs forever. Item I give to the oldest daughter of Patrick Henry, when she comes to age or marries, fifty pounds currency and if she die before, to her next sister. Item I give to Mr. McClanehan who married brother John’s daughter fifty pounds currency. Item I give and bequeath to Mr. Rev. Jn. Todd and to his heirs forever thirty pounds currency. Item It is my will also that in case my brothers sons, John and William Shelton Jr., should either of them die before marriage or without issue then the above legacy left to one shall fall to the other brother. And should both die without such lawful issue or marriage then the legacy left them shall be equally divided between my 3 brothers David, Samuel and William Shelton and their heirs forever. Lastly, I appoint my brothers, David, Samuel and William to be executors of this my last Will and Testament, revoking all other Wills heretofore made and holding this to be my last Will and Testament. In witnesses whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 20th day of September 1784 Joseph Shelton Witnesses: Samuel L. Sampson George Tolor William Shelton Jr. At a Court held for Louisa County on Monday 10th of October 1784. This Will, this day presented in open Court by David Shelton, Samuel Shelton and William Shelton, Executors ------ named and was proved by the oaths of George Tolor and William Shelton Jr. Two of the witnesses ---- to who likewise declared that they saw Samuel L. Sampson, the other witness, sign his name as such at the request of the said Decedent and on the motion of the said Executors, who made oath according to Law. Certificate is granted. Therefore obtaining a probate move in due form giving security who together with John Shelton, James Watson and Waddy Thompson Gent. Their securities enclosed into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of twenty five thousand pounds. Pg. 31 With conditions according to Law and it is ordered that John Shelton of Hanover County the heir at Law to the said descendent be summoned to appear at the next Court to contest the validity test of the said Will if he thinks fit. And at a Court held for the said County the 13th day of December 1784, it appearing to the Court by the oath of Robert Shelton that he presented a copy of a subpoena to John Shelton, heir at Law to Joseph Shelton, deceased and also by return from the Sheriff of Hanover it appears that he had left a copy of subpoena directed to him at the house of the said John Shelton, although legally summoned, failed to attend to contest the validity of the said Joseph Shelton, deceased, Will on the motion of David, Samuel and William Shelton, Executors ------ named and the said Will being proved the same being legal for proved by the oaths of George Tolor and William Shelton Jr. the said Will is by this Court ordered to be recorded. Know all men by those present that we, David Shelton, Samuel Shelton, William Shelton, John Shelton, James Watson and Waddy Thompson are held and firmly bound unto Samuel Ragland, Gentleman, the first Justice in the Commission of the Peace, for Louisa County for and in ---- and to the sole use and ---- of the said Justice of this County, and their successors in the sum of twenty five thousand pounds, current money to be paid to the said Samuel Ragland, his Exec. Admin. or assignees to the which payment will and truly to be made. We bind ourselves and ----- of us --- and ----of our lives escrow. Admin. ----- and severally firmly by those present sealed. With our seals and dated this 11th day of October anno domini 1784. The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bound; David Shelton, Samuel Shelton, William Shelton, Executors of the last will and testament of Joseph Shelton, Deceased, do make or cause to be made a true and lawful inventory of all and singular, the goods and chattels and ---…….. pg. 32 credits of the said Deceased which have or shall come to the hands, possession, or knowledge of the said David Shelton, Samuel Shelton and William Shelton or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for them and the ---- so made do exhibit into the County Court of Louisa at such time as they shall be ---- unto ---- by this Court and the same goods and Chattels and credits and all other the goods, chattels and credits of said deceased, which at any time after shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of this; David, Samuel, and William Shelton or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for them do will and truly administer according to Law and further do make or just and true account of their actions and doings therein when -------required by this said Court and also shall well and truly pay and deliver all the legacies contained and specified in this said testament as far as this said goods, chattels and credits. Will extend and the Law shall charge those this obligation to by voice and of ---- effect or else to remain in full force and -----. Sealed and delivered in presence of: David Shelton - seal Samuel Shelton - seal William Shelton - seal John Shelton - seal James Watson - seal Waddy Thomson - seal At the Court held for Louisa County 11th day of October 1784. This bond was this day in open Court acknowledged by David Shelton, Samuel Shelton, William Shelton, John Shelton, James Watson, and Waddy Thomson to be their act and deed and by the Court is ordered to be recorded. Will submitted by Wayne Shelton for transcription by Eileen Coppola Dec. 1999 **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. 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