LUNENBURG COUNTY, VIRGINIA - WILL OF MARTIN ELAM, 1775 Submitted by Annette E. Wetzel for use in the USGenWeb Archives ************************************************************************ 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. ************************************************************************ Transcribed by: Vickie Elam White 102657.1616@compuserve.com Will of Martin ELAM, who married Mary PHILLIPS in Lunenburg Co. VA in 1775: In the name of God amen. I Martin Elam of Chester District South Carolina, being of perfect mind and memory do constitute, make and publish this my last will and testament. In form and manner following: Item - I lend my Daughter Susannah Dyer Colvin the wife of Nicholas Colvin all She hath of my estate in her possession to her during her natural life after her death to be equally divided among all her surviving children to them and their heirs for ever. Item - I give my son George Phillips Elam all he hath of my estate in his possession to him and his heirs for ever for ever. Item - I give my son Richard Elam one horse Saddle and bridle and the hoggs which he has in his possession and also one feather bed and furniture - one Cow and Calf - one Ewe and Lamb - one large dutch Oven and one sorrel Colt about two years old called Twig to him and his heirs for ever. Item - I will and bequeath to my Son-in Law Wiley F. Coleman in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Sarah Davis the wife of Caleb Davis all She hath of my Estate in her possession and also all her portion or interest in all my lands and the undivided personal property at my wife's death which may go to her he the Said Wiley F. Coleman is to take the same in his possession for the use of her and her children and at her death to equally divide the whole of the above property and lands or if the lands are Sold then the interest or value of the land among the surviving heirs of her body lawfully begotten to them and their heirs for ever. Item - I lend my daughter Betsey Philips Coleman the wife of Solomon Coleman all She hath of my estate in her possession to her during her natural life and after her death to be equally divided among all her surviving Children to them and their heirs for ever. Item - I lend my daughter Mary Elam one feather-bed and furniture one cow and Calf one Sow and pigs one Ewe and lamb one bay horse colt one year old to be provided for her also Seven Dollars worth of Kitchen War[e] during her natural life after her death to be equally divided among all her surviving Children to them and their heirs for ever. Item - I lend my Daughter Martha Elam one feather bed and furniture one Cow and Calf one Sow and pigs one Ewe and lamb one bay filly three years old called Peg and also Seven Dollars worth of Kitchen ware to be provided for her during her natural life after her death to be equally divided among all her surviving Children to them and their heirs for ever. Item - I lend my daughter Patience Elam one feather bed and furniture one Cow and calf one cow and pigs one Ewe and lamb one Sorrel filly folded the tenth of May 1825 also Seven Dollars worth of Kitchen wair to be provided for her during her natural life after her death to be equally divided among all her surviving children to them and their heirs for ever. Item - I lend my daughter Nancy Coleman the wife of Wiley F. Coleman all the personal estate in her possession during her natural life after her death to be equally divided among all her surviving Children to them and their heirs for ever. Item - I lend my daughter Francis Elam one feather bed and furniture one Cow and Calf one Sow and pigs one Ewe and lamb one sorrel filly one year old and also seven Dollars worth of Kitchen wair to be provided for her during her natural life after her death to be equally divided among all her surviving children to them and their heirs for ever. The remainder and residue of my personal estate and real estate I lend to my beloved wife Mary Elam during her natural life and after her death I do hereby impower authorize and direct my executor herein after mentioned to equally divide all the undisposed of personal estate and likewise to equally divide all my Real estate or land if it can be done equally and if not then to sell the said lands or real estate and equally divide the purchase money and the above personal estate among all my above mentioned children except Sarah Davis share which they are to give her part or portion to the special Trustee Wiley F. Coleman which I above constituted and appointed which he will hold In trust for her and children's sole use and benefit and at her death equally divide the same among her surviving Children. If any of my children should die without issue in that case I will and bequeath that their portion or share be equally divided among all my surviving children and Sarah Davis' share in that case is to be given to the special trustee Wiley F. Coleman in trust for her and her children and at her death to be equally divided among her children. Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Richard Elam and my grand Son Greenberry Colvin my sole executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five and in the fiftieth year of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America. Signed sealed declared and published by the above named Martin Elam the testator as and for his last will and testament (the above interlineation therein being first made namely the word "use" in the eleventh line from the top) as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have Subscribed our names as witness. Jno. Q. Arnett Martin Colvin Martin Elam (seal) Tarlton Colvin Probated 24 Jul 1826 Recorded in Book H, page 319, Apartment No. 17, Package No. 519