Mecklenburg Co., VA Will of Peter Crutchfield Will Book 25 Page 16 Submitted by Don Crutchfield - 2-8-99 dcrutchfield@SHTC.NET -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: The copyright holder of this material has given USGenWeb Archives exclusive rights of electronic distribution for this file. In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Will of Peter Crutchfield Mecklenburg Co. Va 15 January,1859 In the name of God Almighty, I, Peter Crutchfield of the County of Mecklenburg and State of Virginia, being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this life, do therefore make , constitute, appoint and declare this to be my last will and testament. That is to say: First: I loan unto my beloved wife Elizabeth C Crutchfield: The tract of land on which I now reside and the tract adjoining to T Smelly and others containing sixty acres more or less during the term of her natural life to have the full benefit there of and after her death, I give and bequeath the above said land to my son Edward G Crutchfield, to him and his heirs forever. I also loan unto my wife Elizabeth C Crutchfield the following Slaves to wit. Abrous, Edmond, Davy, Lee and Harriet, for the term of her natural life and after her death I give the said Slaves to be equally divided amongst my three children, namely William C Crutchfield, Dorothy A Puryear and Edward G Crutchfield, to them and their heirs forever. Second: I give to my wife Elizabeth C Crutchfield, one Negro girl Susan to dispose of as she may think proper. Third: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Dorothy A. Puryear the following Slaves who are in her procession to wit Henry, Mary Sarah and her two children and their increase to her and her hairs forever. Fourth: I give and bequeath unto my son William C. Crutchfield The land on which he now resides and the following Slaves, who are in his possession to wit: Joe Alfred, Caroline and the increase of Caroline to have and hold forever. Fifth: I give and bequeath unto my son Edward G Crutchfield the following Slaves to wit: John and his tools, Ben, Irene and the increase of Irene to him and his hairs forever. Sixth: After my death I wish the following Slaves to be declared and divided by --------------------------and ----- equally among my three children William C Crutchfield, Dorothy A Puryear and Edward G Crutchfield. Seventh: I give unto my wife Elizabeth C Crutchfield and son Edward G Crutchfield jointly all my household and kitchen furniture, plantation tools crop and stack of every description. Eight: In confederation of the three old Negroes which may be left in the case of my wife Elizabeth C Crutchfield and son Edward G Crutchfield I wish my executor to sell Martha, giving her first the privilege of choosing a home and deposit the proceeds of the sale with my wife and son above named for the support of the three above by name Edy, Simthy and Dick. Ninth: My debts are to be collected by executor of this will and if not sufficient to pay all debts that I may be owing each of my three children are to bear a proportionate part of the deficiency likewise . I make, constitute and appoint my son William C Crutchfield to be executor of this my last will and testament, here by voiding all former wills by me made and to qualify without bond and security. In witness hereof I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed my seal on this fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine. Witness: Peter Crutchfield (seal) Wm. N Northington E. Benford Will Probate of Will of Peter Crutchfield Mecklenburg County Court, April 20,1885 The writing proposed to be the last will and testament of Peter Crutchfield late of this County deceased, was this day presented in Court and fully proved according to law by the oath of W. N. Northington one of the subscribing witness there to and E. Benford the other subscribing witness to said will being dead, the said W. N. Northington testified that he was well aquatinted with the signature of the said E Benford having frequently seen him write the same and that the signature of the said E. Benford subscribed to the said will was the own genuine signature of the said E. Benford and that the said testator Peter Crutchfield deceased acknowledge this signature to said will in the presence both the said W. N. Northington and the said E. Benford they the sail Northington and the said Benford both being present together at the same time in the presence of the said testator and that the said W. N. Northington and the said E. Benford as subscribing -------- to said will, did each of them in the presence of each other and in the presence of the said testator , surely sign their names to said will at the request of the said testator so herefore , the same is evident to be recorded as the last will and testament of Peter Crutchfield late of this County deceased. Ex. Teste. J. M. Sevace, clk