Will of Richard R. Beasley, 1862 - Prince George Co.VA. Will of Richard R. Beasley - 1862 (Will Book 1, pages 11 thru 20, Prince George Co.VA.) In the name of God, I Richard R. Beasley of Prince George County and State of Virginia being in good health and of a disposing mind do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. First: I desire that my just debts be paid. 2. Secondly, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha E. my female slaves, Lenora and Rebecca and their increase to her and her heirs forever, and I hereby relinquish to my wife Martha E. all the right and title which I may have at the time of my death to any property real or personal which may descend to her from her father or any of her relations. 3rd. Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my wife Martha E. the following named slaves to wit: William Thompson and his wife Grace and her children namely Mary, Dealy, Abraham, and Montgomery and their increase during her life, and at her death to go to my children, and to the children of either that have died; and to be disposed of as I will hereafter direct. 4th. Fourthly, I direct that my plantation called Puddledock with all the slaves, except Daniel and Matilda, and all the stock, crop and utinsels to be kept together and be cultivated for the benefit and support of my wife and children until my son Richard R. attains the age of twenty one years, but should my wife marry again before my said son becomes of age, then her interest in the products and profits of the said plantation slaves etc. is to cease and the same to be continued for the (Blank) and support of my children until Richard R. becomes of age. I also wish my executor to sell the slaves Daniel and Matilda and to purchase two likely young women with children and to place them at Puddledock to be kept there with the other slaves until my said son Richard R. attains the age of twenty one years. It is my wish that my executors shall keep ten efficient hands on the Puddledock estate and in the event that the number of slaves should increase so as to make the farming labor exceed ten efficient hands, exclusive of what may be necessary to the use of my family about the house and garden, then I direct the excess of such slaves be hired out for the benefit of my estate. 5th. Fifthly, It is my will and desire that all debts due to me, shall be collected by my executors as soon as they can do so, and after the payment of my debts I direct that the monies collected shall be vested in stocks as soon after such collection as may be practicable and in the purchase of stocks I desire that my executors shall purchase the six per cent stocks of the States of Virginia and North Carolina, and the United States of America, and I prefer a portion to be vested in each of the said stocks unless my executors should deem either of them unsafe, the certificates of which said stocks, when so purchased, I desire should be held by my executors as a part of my estate; and I desire that they shall collect the interest thereon as it accrues, and apply so much of said Interest as may be necessary to the support and education of my children and the support of my wife so long as she remains my widow; and it is my will and desire that all of my children shall receive a good education at such schools as my executors may deem best, after consulting the wishes of my wife on that subject in whose judgement and discretion I have the most entire confidence. 6. Sixthly, It is my wish and desire that my wife be supported, at her wish and pleasure, out of my estate as long as she remains my widow, and in the event she should marry again I direct that my executors do invest the sum of Ten thousand dollars out of my monied estate in six per cent stock in either of the above named States that my wife may prefer and hold it as a part of my estate as a fund the interest on which I direct shall be paid to my wife semiannually as it accrues for her separate and exclusive benefit during her life; and at her death, I give devise and bequeath the principal of the said stock, or sum of Ten thousand dollars to my children to be equally divided among them and their heirs in fee simple forever, but, in the event that my wife at any time prefer that the sum of Ten thousand dollars, above directed to be invested in stocks, should be invested in a tract of land and slaves to cultivate the same, then its my will and desire that my executors at her request, invest the said sum of Ten thousand dollars in such land and slaves as she may wish, which Land and slaves to be held by my executors as a part of my estate but giving to her the use and controwl of the same for her own use and benefit during her life; and at her death I give devise and bequeath the said land and slaves and their increase of the female slaves to my children fee simple for ever, to be equally divided among my children that may be then living, and the heirs of any of such as may be deceased. 7. Seventhly, The foregoing clauses contain the dispositions of my estate until my son Richard R. attains the age of twenty one years; at which time it is my will that my estate be divided as follows: The Ten thousand dollars or its stead the land and slaves mentioned in the sixth clause of my will, I wish my executors to retain as therein directed for the use and benefit of my wife during her life; It is my will and desire that the foregoing negroes alloted to my wife in the first part of the third clause of my Will, namely William Thompson and Grace his wife and her children Mary, William, Dealy, and Abraham & Montgomery and their increase shall at the death of my wife Martha E. go to my children and be divided equally among those thats living and to the children or grandchildren, if any, of such as may be dead. And it is my will that the above named slaves be held by my Exceutors in Trust for the benefit of my children as above named and to take the same course and direction as the portion alloted to each, which disposition I will hereafter name and direct, and the balance of my estate, I wish divided in five equal parts, estimating in said division my Puddledock Plantation with all the horses, stock of all sorts, and all the crops of all kinds, utinsels etc. as may be thereon at the fixed value of seven thousand dollars, one of which equal parts I give devise and bequeath to my son Richard R. in fee simple to him and his heirs forever, he to have the privilege of taking the said Plantation, stock, crops etc. at the fixed value of seven thousand dollars, as a portion of his said one fifth part of the whole and such of the slaves then on the said Plantation at their valuation, to be ascertained by disinterested apprasers, and should my said son Richard R. prefer and conclude not to take said Plantation, stock, crops, etc. at the said fixed value of seven thousand dollars, as a part of his portion, then it is my will and desire that the said Plantation, stock, crops, etc. to be sold by my Executors to the best advantage for the interest of my children, the proceeds of which sale shall go into the general fund for division and out of the said general fund I desire that my son Richard R. shall first be paid the sum of Three Thousand dollars, the balance of the said general fund, I wish divided into five equal parts, of which parts I give devise and bequeath to my son Richard R. in addition to the three thousand contingently bequeathed to him and his heirs for ever. I also give and bequeath to my said son Richard R. my watch, chain & Seal, and also my breast pin. 8. Eightley. I give in trust to my executors hereinafter named the other four fifths of my estate, to be held by them for the benefit of my daughters as follows: viz one equal portion to be held in trust for the benefit of my daughter Mary Allice; one other equal portion to be held in trust for the benefit of my daughter Rosa Anna, one other equal portion to be held in trust for the benefit of my daughter Martha E.; and the other equal portion to be held in trust for the benefit of my daughter Amanda. And I desire and direct that the interest and income of their several portions shall be paid to each of my daughters respectively, semiannually, as it accrues, for and during their lives to be used by them as they may think proper, and at their death respectively, I give devise and bequeath the principal sum as above allotted to each for life, to their children respectively, and to their heirs forever, and in case of either of my said daughters should die without a child or children, or grandchildren living at her death, then it is my will that the principal sum or portion above directed to be held by my Executors in Trust for her shall be equally divided between my surviving children and the children of such as may be dead, such portion of which as may fall to my surviving daughters to be held in Trust by my Executors in the manner and to take the same direction as the portion allotted to be held in Trust for my daughters respectively in the first part of this the Eighth clause of my Will. 9. Ninthly. Should I be entitled to any property not properly embraced in any previous clause this my Will and Testament, it is my will that the same shall go to my children in equal portions, and that to which my son Richard R. may be entitled I give to him in fee simple, But the portions to which my said daughters may be entitled, to be held in Trust by my Executors for the benefit of my daughters in the manner and subject to the same conditions as that already directed to be held in Trust for them in the Eighth clause of my Will. 10th. Tenthly. As a very considerable portion of the debts and money due me are due and payable in the States of Louisana, Alabama, it is my will and desire that whichever of my Executors may find it necessary to go out there for the purpose of collecting or securing the same shall in addition to the commission to which he will be entitled as my Executor be lowed his necessary expenses and such reasonable compensation as may appear proper and necessary, to be judged of by the Commissioner before whom his Executorial accounts may be settled. 11th. Lastly, I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my friends Robert R. Jones of Brunswick County and William C. Rawlings of Prince George County both of the State of Virginia, Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other Wills by me heretofore made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 18th day of January 1851. R.R. Beasley 1. Codicil. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha E. all my household and (blank) furniture of all descriptions, and all the plate and silverware that I may die possessed of; likewise my Carriage and horses, and in the event that my Carriage and horses should wear out and it is her wish that another should be purchased for her benefit, then I direct my executors to purchase a plain and substantial one, and good and gentle pair of horses to cost not less than three hundred and fifty dollars, unless by her request, to have and to hold in fee simple, this 19th day of January 1851. R.R. Beasley 2. Codicil. January 23rd 1854. It is my wish and desire that my Will be carried out as written, Except a portion of the 7th clause instead giving my son Richard R. the option of taking my Plantation call'd Puddledock at the fixed value of seven thousand dollars as a portion of his estate, and also in the event of his not taking the same, to have three thousand dollars extra of my estate; the above portion I wish to revoke. It is my desire that the said Plantation call'd Puddledock shall be kept together till my son John Collier shall arrive at the age 21 years, then at which time it shall be optionally with R.R. & J.C. to take the Plantation crop stock etc. at the fixed value of ten thousand dollars jointly between them as a portion of their estate to be equally intrusted to manage, divide or sell as they may think proper, and in the event of their not taking the property at the fixed value of ten thousand dollars then to be disposed of as first advised in my Will, and both to have an equal share of my Estate in fee simple, and in the event that either should die before they shall become of age, then the survivor shall have the privilege of taking the property at the same value. Its my wish that my son R.R. shall take possession of the property when he arrives at the age of 21 years. It is my wish when my son R.R. shall attain the age of twenty one years if he should be a prudent and a man fully capable of managing the affairs of my estate (to be judged by the Court) that he shall become one of my Executors, to have full power to act as one the oldest of the former to retire. And also If my son John C. should attain the age of twenty one years and should be a prudent and competent to manage my estate (to be judged by the Court) he shall have the like power, the former Executors giving the entire business to my sons, but in both cases of R.R. & J.C. if the Court should think them not safe and capable they shall retain the old Exors. I, R.R. Beasley do make and ordain this as the third codicil to my last Will, dated the 18th day of January 1851, that is to say I hereby revoke all provisions and directions in relation to my Plantation Puddledock and the slaves stock etc. on the same, as mentioned and referred to in the body of my said Will and the codicils thereto annexed, and I also hereby revoke all the bequests provisions etc. made to and for my wife Martha E. in the said Will and codicils, and in lieu thereof I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to my said wife Martha E. my slaves Rebecca and her children and future increase, Laura(?) and her children and future increase to be held by my wife during her life and to be disposed of as she may think proper to any of my children, I also give to my wife Martha E. my Plantation cal'd Puddledock together with all the other slaves, stock, crops, household and kitchen furniture, silverplate etc. which may be thereon at my death, to be held and enjoyed by her during her life, and I also give to my wife the sum of six Hundred dollars per annum in fee simple, to be paid to her out of the residue of my estate annually during her life. It is my will that at the death of my wife, my Plantation slaves etc. above given to my wife for life, shall at her death go back to my estate, and the Plantation stock etc. to be sold by my executors, the proceeds of which sale, and the slaves to be equally divided amongst all my children, the portions for my daughters to be held in trust for their benefit in the same manner as is provided in the body of my Will for their other portions of my estate. The portions for my sons to go to them in fee simple, Having three more children than I had at the date of my original Will, to wit: Minerva J., John C. and Susan Saribella(?) it is my will that they shall have equal portions of my estate with my other children, that portion for John C. to be in fee simple, and the portions for my daughters Minerva J. and Susan Seribella(?) to be held in trust for their benefit during their life in the same manner as is provided for my other daughters in the body of my Will, and to go to their children in the same manner. It is also my will that any other child or children which my wife may have by me shall come in with my present children and receive an equal share of my estate, if a son or sons his or their portions to be in fee simple, and if a daughter or daughters, her or their portion to be held in trust for their benefit in the same manner as is provided for my other daughters. It is my will that if the Plantation in Brunswick Cal'd Diamond Grove should be for sale at any time, my Executors are hereby authorized and requested to purchase the same for my estate, if to be had at a fair price to be paid for out of any money belonging to my estate, and also to purchase negroes, stock etc. to cultivate the same, to an amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars, whenever in their judgement it may be expedient to do so. If Diamond Grove should be purchased and stocked as aforesaid and either of my sons shall think proper to take it, at its fair value at the time my estate may be divided, it is my wish he may do so, if not, then I wish it resold, and the proceeds to go to my estate. I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Martha E. Executrix of my Will so long as she remains my widow, in addition to the Executors before named in my Will and codicil. Witness my hand and seal this 24th day of January 1859. R.R. Beasley (Seal) At a Court held for Prince George County, at the Courthouse thereof on Thursday the 13th day of November 1862. The last Will and Testament of Richard R. Beasley dec'd. was proved according to law by the oaths of Wm. C. Rawlings, Robert R. Jones, William B. Westbrook and James E. Wolff as to the handwriting and is ordered to be recorded. And the Executors Wm. C. Rawlings and Rob't. R. Jones having appeared in Court and refused to take upon themselves the burthen of the execution thereof, on the motion of Martha E. Beasley, the Executrix therein named, who gave oath, and together with Rob't. R. Jones, Wm. C. Rawlings and Wm. B. Westbrook her securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Five Hundred Thousand dollars, conditioned as the law directs, Certificate is granted the said Martha E. Beasley for obtaining a probate of the said Will, in due form. A Copy Teste John D. Matthews CC. At a Court held for Prince George County at the Courthouse thereof on Thursday the 11th day of January 1866. On the motion of Martha E. Beasley Executrix of Richard R. Beasley dec'd. it appearing that the record book containing the recorded Will of the said R.R. Beasley deceased having been distroyed an attested copy made by John D. Matthews late Clerk of this County was this day produced and ordered to be recorded as and for the last Will and Testament of the said R.R. Beasley deceased. Teste Ro. Gilliam CC. ------------------------------------------------------------ Submitted by Russell L. Lawrence **************************************************************** 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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