Pittsylvania County, VA - Will Book 3 (partial) ************************************************************************ 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 *********************************************************************** Page 104 Will Book 3: 104 Pittsylvania County, Virginia Will of Robert W. Carter I Robert W. Carter of sound mind and disposing memory do in the presence of Almighty God make the following will and testimony. First. I will that all my just debts be paid out of such property as my wife Saly C. Carter may choose to dispose of for that purpose. Secondly. After the payment of any debts. I give to my wife Sally C. Carter the whole of my estate to be held by her for the benefit of herself and our children during her life provided she does not marry again, and to be given aft to the children at such time and in such proportion as she may choose, at her death all of the children are to be made equal. Thirdly. In case my wife Sally C. Carter should marry again then I give to her one third of my estate during her life and the balance I give equally to all my children. This 28th August 1861. Robert W. Carter Teste Wm S. Carter Edmond M. Johnson At a County court held for the county of Pittsylvania on the 15th day of September 1873.l The last will and testament of Robert W. Carter decd. Dated the 28" day of August 1861 was brought into court in order to be proved. Whereupon it was proved by Edmund M. Johnson a subscribing witness to have been executed according to law, and it appearing to the court that Wm. S. Carter the other subscribing witness has departed this life, it is ordered that the said will be recorded, and on the motion of Sarah C. Carter who made oath and with Stephen H. Townes and Jesse L. Carter who made oath to their sufficiency entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of two thousand dollars conditioned according to law certificate is granted her for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of Robert W. Carter decd. With his will annexed in due form. Teste L. Scruggs, Clerk Note: Robert W. Carter was the son of Robert Carter and Rebecca Wynne and the great-grandson of Jesse Carter. His wife, Sally C. Townes Carter, was the daughter of Stephen C. Townes and Catherine H. Williams. --------- Page 185 Will of Stephen C Townes Will Book 3, Page 185, Pittsylvania County, Va I Stephen C Townes of the County of Pittsylvania, State of Virginia, being of sound mind and disposing memory, make this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time made. I desire that after my death, my Executor hereinafter named do sell at public auction, or otherwise, as he may deem best, the whole of my personal estate as well as my real estate, and on such terms as he may determine, and out of the proceeds thereof and from the collection of such debts as may be due me, first pay my funeral expenses and such debts as may be owing from me and then pay over to my wife, Sarah E Townes, if she be living at my death, the sum of two hundred dollars in money which is to be taken by her in lieu of any other portion of my estate, but if before the sale of my personal property, she should prefer to do so, she may select such of it, at its appraised value as will amount to the sum of two hundred dollars, to be taken by her instead of the two hundred dollars bequeathed to her in money. The balance of the proceeds of my estate ( in which is to be included the said sum of two hundred dollars above bequeathed to my wife, if she be not living at my death ) after deducting all charges for the administration of the same, and without any reference whatsoever to any advancements made by me theretofore to any of my children, and directing herein that none such shall be taken into account or charged against them. I give and bequeath as follows to wit: To the heirs of my deceased son William Townes one eleventh part thereof, to my Son James M Townes, Edward Townes, N W Townes, Robert W Townes and Stephen H Townes and to my daughters Martha A Hodges (wife of H L Hodges), Sarah C Carter (Widow of Robert W Carter deceased) and Rebecca S Carter (wife of Jessie L Carter) each one eleventh part thereof. I give and bequeath to William Cardwell In Trust for the use and benefit of my Granddaughter Mary Ann Carter (wife of Robert Carter) formerly Mary Ann Cardwell, one eleventh part of the balance of the proceeds of my estate as aforesaid (being a sum equal to the amount bequeathed to each of my children as aforesaid), to be held by him for the use and benefit of herself and children and at her death, I give and bequeath the same to her children and the descendants of such as may be dead, the descendants taking the portion that would have gone to their parent. But should my said granddaughter die without leaving descendants, then my will and desire is that the portion of my Estate bequeathed to said William Cardwell In Trust as aforesaid, and unconsumed at her death, shall then be divided among my children then living, and the descendants of such as may be dead, the descendants taking her stirpes. I give and bequeath to Harrison L Hodges In trust for the use and benefit of my granddaughter Martha N D Townes (daughter of my deceased son Daniel Townes, one eleventh part of the balance of the proceeds of my Estate as aforesaid (being a sum equal to the amount bequeathed to each of my children as aforesaid) to be held by him for the use and benefit of my said Granddaughter and if necessary, he is authorized to use as much of the principals of said bequest as may be necessary to be used in the education and support of my said Granddaughter. And at her death, I give and bequeath whatever of said amount may be left unconsumed in the hands of H L Hodges, Trustee as aforesaid to any child or children born of her body or their descendants. But should my said Granddaughter Martha N D Townes die, leaving no descendants, then my will and desire is that the portion of my estate bequeathed to said H L Hodges In trust as aforesaid, and unconsumed at her death, shall then be divided among my children, then living, and the descendants of such as may be dead, the descendants taking per stirpes. I appoint William Rison Executor of this my Will. But I wish it distinctly understood before signing this my will, that while I do not wish any advancements, which I may have made to any of my children, to be charged against them. Yet any note or bonds executed by any of them to me and now due to and held by me, shall be collected from such one before dividing my estate or charged against such one in the division of my estate. In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand to this my will dated the 4th day of December 1874. Stephen C Townes Signed, published and declared by Testator Stephen C Townes as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us and in the presence of each other who in his presence and at his request have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto. J F or T Rison P R Jones I Stephen C Townes being of sound mind and disposing memory do make and ordain this as a codicil to the above last will and testament made by me heretofore to wit. I direct and bequeath that the amount of Two hundred dollars herein bequested to my wife Sarah E Townes, be held by Nathaniel W Gardner as a Trustee for her, which amount if she elects to take the same, instead of its value in property at its appraised value, is to be held by the said Gardner or invested by him at interest (if held by him, he is to pay interest on the sum) for my said wife, with directions that he pay over to her such portions of the same from time to time as she may need the same. At the death of my said wife, should any portion of the said two hundred dollars remain in the hands of the said Gardner or under his control unappropriated, such balance shall be paid over to my children then living, or the descendants of such as may be dead, the descendants of the deceased child or children taking only the portion which would go to his or their parent if living. Witness my hand this 2nd day of June 1876. Stephen C Townes Witness: William W Boothe, William J Cassada At a County Court held for the County of Pittsylvania on the 17th day of July 1876. The Last will and testament of Stephen C Townes dec'd dated 4th day of December 1874, was proved by J F Rison one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and it is ordered that the same and the Codicil, thereto attached, be recorded, the said codicil being proven by William W Boothe and William J Cassada, the two subscribing witnesses thereto annexed. Teste H P Jones Clk Will of Stephen C Townes Will Book 3, Page 185, Pittsylvania County, Va I Stephen C Townes of the County of Pittsylvania, State of Virginia, being of sound mind and disposing memory, make this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time made. I desire that after my death, my Executor hereinafter named do sell at public auction, or otherwise, as he may deem best, the whole of my personal estate as well as my real estate, and on such terms as he may determine, and out of the proceeds thereof and from the collection of such debts as may be due me, first pay my funeral expenses and such debts as may be owing from me and then pay over to my wife, Sarah E Townes, if she be living at my death, the sum of two hundred dollars in money which is to be taken by her in lieu of any other portion of my estate, but if before the sale of my personal property, she should prefer to do so, she may select such of it, at its appraised value as will amount to the sum of two hundred dollars, to be taken by her instead of the two hundred dollars bequeathed to her in money. The balance of the proceeds of my estate ( in which is to be included the said sum of two hundred dollars above bequeathed to my wife, if she be not living at my death ) after deducting all charges for the administration of the same, and without any reference whatsoever to any advancements made by me theretofore to any of my children, and directing herein that none such shall be taken into account or charged against them. I give and bequeath as follows to wit: To the heirs of my deceased son William Townes one eleventh part thereof, to my Son James M Townes, Edward Townes, N W Townes, Robert W Townes and Stephen H Townes and to my daughters Martha A Hodges (wife of H L Hodges), Sarah C Carter (Widow of Robert W Carter deceased) and Rebecca S Carter (wife of Jessie L Carter) each one eleventh part thereof. I give and bequeath to William Cardwell In Trust for the use and benefit of my Granddaughter Mary Ann Carter (wife of Robert Carter) formerly Mary Ann Cardwell, one eleventh part of the balance of the proceeds of my estate as aforesaid (being a sum equal to the amount bequeathed to each of my children as aforesaid), to be held by him for the use and benefit of herself and children and at her death, I give and bequeath the same to her children and the descendants of such as may be dead, the descendants taking the portion that would have gone to their parent. But should my said granddaughter die without leaving descendants, then my will and desire is that the portion of my Estate bequeathed to said William Cardwell In Trust as aforesaid, and unconsumed at her death, shall then be divided among my children then living, and the descendants of such as may be dead, the descendants taking her stirpes. I give and bequeath to Harrison L Hodges In trust for the use and benefit of my granddaughter Martha N D Townes (daughter of my deceased son Daniel Townes, one eleventh part of the balance of the proceeds of my Estate as aforesaid (being a sum equal to the amount bequeathed to each of my children as aforesaid) to be held by him for the use and benefit of my said Granddaughter and if necessary, he is authorized to use as much of the principals of said bequest as may be necessary to be used in the education and support of my said Granddaughter. And at her death, I give and bequeath whatever of said amount may be left unconsumed in the hands of H L Hodges, Trustee as aforesaid to any child or children born of her body or their descendants. But should my said Granddaughter Martha N D Townes die, leaving no descendants, then my will and desire is that the portion of my estate bequeathed to said H L Hodges In trust as aforesaid, and unconsumed at her death, shall then be divided among my children, then living, and the descendants of such as may be dead, the descendants taking per stirpes. I appoint William Rison Executor of this my Will. But I wish it distinctly understood before signing this my will, that while I do not wish any advancements, which I may have made to any of my children, to be charged against them. Yet any note or bonds executed by any of them to me and now due to and held by me, shall be collected from such one before dividing my estate or charged against such one in the division of my estate. In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand to this my will dated the 4th day of December 1874. Stephen C Townes Signed, published and declared by Testator Stephen C Townes as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us and in the presence of each other who in his presence and at his request have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto. J F or T Rison P R Jones I Stephen C Townes being of sound mind and disposing memory do make and ordain this as a codicil to the above last will and testament made by me heretofore to wit. I direct and bequeath that the amount of Two hundred dollars herein bequested to my wife Sarah E Townes, be held by Nathaniel W Gardner as a Trustee for her, which amount if she elects to take the same, instead of its value in property at its appraised value, is to be held by the said Gardner or invested by him at interest (if held by him, he is to pay interest on the sum) for my said wife, with directions that he pay over to her such portions of the same from time to time as she may need the same. At the death of my said wife, should any portion of the said two hundred dollars remain in the hands of the said Gardner or under his control unappropriated, such balance shall be paid over to my children then living, or the descendants of such as may be dead, the descendants of the deceased child or children taking only the portion which would go to his or their parent if living. Witness my hand this 2nd day of June 1876. Stephen C Townes Witness: William W Boothe, William J Cassada At a County Court held for the County of Pittsylvania on the 17th day of July 1876. The Last will and testament of Stephen C Townes dec'd dated 4th day of December 1874, was proved by J F Rison one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and it is ordered that the same and the Codicil, thereto attached, be recorded, the said codicil being proven by William W Boothe and William J Cassada, the two subscribing witnesses thereto annexed. Teste H P Jones Clk Submitted by Gayle Austin ------ Pages 251 - 142 Will Book 3: 241-242 Pittsylvania County, Virginia Will of P. P. Shepard Pittsylvania County to wit: I Philip P. Shepard, Sr. of the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia being advanced in age but of sound mind and disposing memory do make and Constitute this my last will and testament in manner following to wit: First it is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid first out of any assets of which I may possess. Second I give to my son John W. Shepard and to my three daughters Elizabeth B. Shepard, Clementine P. Shepard and Eliza A. Shepard respectively one bed and bedding. Thirdly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife during her life or so long as she remains my widow, all of the property both real and personal of which I may die possessed, after the payment of my just debts as above mentioned and I hereby authorize her to give to any of the heirs of my body any portion of my estate during her life provided and equal share thereof shall be given to all my children hereafter named. Fourthly, It is my will and desire that my beloved wife Parthenia L. Shepard shall have full control of all my estate during her life and shall have perfect right to consume so much of all the rents and profits accruing there therefrom as may be necessary for her comfort and support, together with either or all of my daughters who may remain unmarried and remain with her after my diseased [sic]. Fifthly it is my will and desire that after the death of my wife Parthenia L. Shepard all of my estate both real and personal which may then exist and not consumed shall be sold at public auction and proceeds accruing from said sale to be divided equally between all the heirs of my body after taken in consideration the amount of advancements made to them respectively during my life as well as during the lifetime of my said wife. Sixthly. It is my will and desire that after all the existing debts of the firm of P. P. Shepard, Sr. shall be fully paid and settled up that my son P. P. Shepard, Jr. shall be entitled to one half of all the goods that may then remain on hand. Seventh. Having the utmost confidence in the integrity of my beloved wife Parthenia L. Shepard, I do hereby constitute and appoint her my Executrix to this my last will and testament and do most respectfully request the Judge of the County Court to permit her to qualify without giving any security. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand to this my will dated 29" day of March 1879 in the presence of the undersigned as witnesses to the same. Philip P. Shapard, Sr. Witnesses Stephen H. Townes William W. Boothe At a County Court held for Pittsylvania county on the 19" day of January 1880. The last will and testament of P.P. Shapard, Sr. was proven by the oaths of Stephen H. Townes and William W. Boothe the two subscribing witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Parthenia L. Shapard the Executrix therein named, who made oath and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of eight thousand dollars conditioned according to law, certificate is granted her for obtaining probate of said will in due form, the testator requesting the Court not to require security of the said Executrix. Teste W. B. Shepherd, Clerk Note: Philip P. Shapard was the son of John and Elizabeth Shepard. His wife, Parthenia L. Dodson Shepard, was the daughter of Elijah Dodson and Sally Ferrell Dodson of Halifax County. ---------------------- Here is will of John W. Adams, s/o Rev. Joel Terrell Adams and Sarah Fielder. John w. m. Ann Mary Franklin in 22 Feb 1855 Pittsylvania Co. Ann Mary Franklin was the d/o Thomas Franklin and Judith Anderson. John was killed, per his wife's Bible, on 14 Jul 1864 (probably in the siege of Petersburg). He was a member of the Ringgold Battery, Virginia Artillery. Ann Mary Franklin Adams m. 2. Raleigh T. Vaughan. WB3 p 284 Pittsylvania Co VA I John W. Adams do make this my last will and testament. First I desire all my just debts to be paid out of my estate and after the payment of my debts I give one third of said estate to my wife Ann M. Adams her life time and at her death my heirs and I give the remaning two thirds to said heirs as they may become of age of marry and if said heirs should die before they should become of age or marry my estate to return to my said wife to dispose of as she may decide proper as Witness my hand and seal this the 14 day of Feb 1859. John W. Adams (seal) Witness James E Adams (brother) Sarah F Adams (sister) Thomas Franklin (father in law) At a County court continued and held for the Coutny of Pittsylvania on 20th day of Apr 1887 The last will and testament of John W Adams dec'd dated 14 day of Feburary 1859 was proved by Thomas Franlin one of the subscribing witnesses thereto that said will was signed and acknowledged by the testator in the presence of himself and James E Adams and Sarah F. Adams the other subscribing witnesses thereto present at the same time and that they the said witnesses suscribed the said will in the presence of the testator and it is ordered that said will be recorded whereupon the motion of R.T Vaughan it is that said estate be committed to the hands of W. I Overby Sheriff of this county for administraton with the will annexed Teste W.B. Shepard CCk Submitted by Karen Wood Page 457 Will Book 3, Page 457 Pittsylvania County, Virginia Will of John H. Meadows I John H. Meadows being of sound mind and disposing memory make this my last will and testament. I desire that all my estate both real and personal, my bonds, accounts, and money be held by my wife as her individual property for the support of herself and my children, so long as she remains single and at her death to be equally divided among my children viz: Eugene L., Gertrude S., Allen H., Mary J., Sallie A., Katie R., Luther M. I hereby appoint my wife Annie Louisa sole executrix of my estate, and request that she will not be required to give security as such. I being aware of the law requiring Executors Administrators to make annual settlements, it is my earnest desire that she my wife and Executrix shall not be required to make such settlements. I also desire that my legacy due me from my mothers estate shall be paid over to my wife and disposed off as I directed my other estate. I also state that this is my first, only, and last will. Witness my hand this the 9th day of June 1888. John H. (his mark) Meadows Witnesses: Chas Bilharz Geo. S. Norman At a county court continued and held for the County of Pittsylvania on the 22nd day of March 1889. The last will and testament fo John H. Meadows dec'd was proven by George S. Norman one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, that said will was signed and acknowledged by the testator, in the presence of himself and Charles Bilharz the other subscribing witness thereto, present at the same time and they the said witnesses subscribed the said will in the presence of the testator, and it is ordered that the same be recorded. And on the motion of Annie L. Meadows the Executrix therein named who made oath and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of two thousand dollars conditioned according to law, certificate is granted her for obtaining probate of said will in due form. The testator requesting the Court, not to require security of the said Executrix. Teste W. B. Shepherd, Clerk Note: John H. Meadows was the son of William H. Meadows and Sarah Vaden Meadows. His wife, Louisa Taylor, was the daughter of John W. Taylor and Annie Robertson Taylor. Submitted by