Greenbrier County, West Virginia - Will book 1 pg. 39, 269-270, 420, 541-542, 680-681, 684, 778-79, 803-804 *********************************************************************** 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. *********************************************************************** Anthony Bowen's Will Book I Page 39 Greenbrier Co. Virginia In the name of God Amen I Anthony Bowen of Greenbrier County and State of Virginia, being weak Body but of sound Mind and Memory; but calling to mind the mortality of the Body and that it is appointed for all Men once to die do make and ordain my last Will and Testament in manner following; I recommend my soul to the Care of the divine Being, and my Body to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter to be appointed; and as touching such Worldly Goods as it hath pleased God to bless me with, I Dispose of in Manner following Improvimis After Debts and Funeral Expenses are paid; I give and Bequeath to my beloved Wife Ellis Bowen the plantation I now live on, during Widowhood, and if she should Marry,--then my Will is that she have her Third of real and personal Estate during life, for raising and supporting my youngest Children; also I give to my said Wife a bay Mare and yearling Colt to be at her own disposal; Then I give to my son Andrew Bowen my bald Horse forever; Then I give to my son William Bowen a Mare by the Name of Snip forever; Then,I give and bequeath to my Sons Anthony and James Bowen the Plantation I Now live on containing Four Hundred Acres more or less to be equally divided between them according to quality and quantity, to them in severally and their Heirs forever; but if either of my said Sons Anthony and James shall die before they come of age or have lawful Issue then I allow his part to be equally divided between the Survivor and my two sons Andrew and William Bowen, and to their Heirs in Severalty forever and if both my Said Sons Anthony and James Bowen shall die before they come of Age or have lawful Issue, then, in that case my Will is, that my said Land be Equally divided between my two sons Andrew and William Bowen, according to Quality and Quantity in severalty and to their Heirs forever; Then; I give to my six Youngest Children Anthony, James, Susanna, Hanna, Polly and Betsy, a Horsebeast of the value of fifteen pounds each; also to Each of my four Daughters Susanna, Hanna, Polly, and Betsy a woman saddle When they severally come of Age or marry to be paid by my Executors hereafter to be appointed but in case my personal Estate should not be sufficient to pay my six youngest Children their respective legacies; then my Will is that my two Sons, Anthony and James Bowen when they come of lawful Age, shall make up the deficiency of legacies to my four Daughters, Susanna, Hanna, Polly, and Betsy; or in case my said land shall be divided between between by two sons Andrew and William Bowen and the survivor of my two youngest sons, then I allow them to make up the Legacies aforesaid or in case my said Land Should fall to my two Sons Andrew and William; by the Death of my two youngest sons, then my Will is, that they or Either of them shall pay the legacies aforesaid to my four Daughters Then my Will is that in case that my land be equally divided between my four Daughters as Cotenants. And lastly I do appoint my beloved Wife Ellis Bowen Executrix and my Testament, Revoking and disannulling all former Wills or Testaments by me made, ratify and confirming this and this only to be my last Will and Testament; In Witness Whereof I have here unto set my Hand and affixed my Seal this Eleventh Day of September one Thousand seven Hundred and Eighty Seven. Signed Sealed and pronounced in presence of J. Reed Geo. Clindinen Chrisr Bryan B. Strother At a Court held for GreenBrier County the 30th Oct. 1787 This instrument of Writing was produced in Court as and for the last Will and Testament of Anthony Bowen Decd. proved by the Oaths of James Reed and Christopher Bryan two of the witnesses there to record [Transcribed and submitted by Marilyn Merritt , November, 1998] *********************************************************************** Greenbrier Co. (W.Va.) Will Book 1 p. 269 and 270 James WATTS will In the name of God amen. I James Watts of Greenbrier County and State of Virginia do hereby make my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say 1st I desire that ll my just debts be paid 2nd ly I give to my well beloved wife Mary all the plantation that I now live on 3rdly except eight acres that I give and bequeath to my son James to be to him and his heirs forever the boundryes of the said eighty acres being well known during her widowhood to soport herself and he Children and also to my said Wife I give for the same purpose all my household and Kitchen furniture together with all my Plantations Utentials and all my horses, cattle, hogs and sheep except such as I shall otherwise direct hereafter and with the following conditions that is to say my said Wife shall give to each of my single Daughters a horse saddle and Bridle of a midling quality two Cows and one good bed and furniture when they Mary or go to themselves, 4ly I give to my son John one horse his Claim and one year old Steer and one year old heifer also his claim, 5thly I give to my son Selethial Weeks one horse one cow and two yearling steers known to be his Claim and to my siad two sons John and Selethel Weeks I give and bequeath the Plantation I now live on containing two hundred acres after my son James gets his eighty acres to be equal between them and to be to them and their heirs forever - and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons John and Selethiel Weeks Exctors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other Wills heretofore made by me. In Witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twelth day of Noveb one thousand eight hundred and ten (1810). James Watts Test Aaron Burr, Andw Luaington or Caraington? Carrington? , Wm. Renick p. 270 At Greenbrier December Court 1810 This last will and Testament of James Watts decd. was presented in Court and proved by the oath of the Witnesses thereto and the same is ordered to be recorded and there upon John Watts and Selethiel Watts Executors therein named took upon themselves the .... of the Execution of said Will and thereupon they took the oath required by law and entered into bond with David WATTS and William WILLIAMS their Security in the penalty of one thousand dollars conditional as the law directs and a certificate of Pa-tat is granted them in the usual form Teste Lewis Skeaet (?) C. G.C.(Clerk Greenbriar Ct.) The records for this work have been submitted by Judy Tillison Wright, E-mail address: KWright354@ aol.com, March, 1998. ********************************************************************** Will of Crawford PUCKET - 1869 Will Book 1 Page 420 In the name of God I Crawford Pucket being of sound and desposing mind and body do make this to be my last will and Testament as follows, that is to say, First I direct that all my Just debts be paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as may be convenient, Therefore I give and bequeth unto my Wife Sarah Pucket in testomony of my cincear Regard and affection for her All my Personal and Real Estate composed of Lands and Stock and various other property for the absolute use of her and her present living Children dureing her natural lifetime provided she shall live and die my widow, Secondly, I wish at the death of my afectionat wif that all my Estate both Real & personal composed of Lands and Stock all house and kitchen furniture shall be equally devided Between my seven living children agreeable to the law of Virginia. And I do hereby nominate and apoint Sarah Pucket my Wife and James Pucket my son To be executors of this my last Will and testament and do hereby declare these presence to be and contain my last will and testament. In Witnefs whereof I the said testator Crawford Pucket have to this my Last will written uppon paper thereof set my hand and seal this 18 day of September in the year of our Lord 1849. his Crawford X Pucket mark Signed Sealed published and declared by the testator Crawford Pucket as and for his last will and testament in the presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto Subscribed our names as witnefses John Creigh William Patterson Greenbrier County Court November Term 1869 This paper purporting to be the last will and Testament of Crawford Pucket decd. was produced in Court and the execution thereof proved by the oaths of William Patterson & John Creigh subscribing witnefses thereto, and is ordered to be recorded whereupon Sarah Pucket and James Pucket the Executor & Executrix therein named appeared in Court, and made oath, and together with Henry Surbough their securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $1200 conditional as the law requires. Certificate is granted them for obtaining probat of said will. Test John A. North The records for this work have been submitted by Melba L. Purkey, E-mail address: mpurkey@juno.com, April, 1998. ********************************************************************** John Pinnell's Will Will book 1 pg. 541-542 In the name of God Amen, I John Pinnell Sen'r, of Greenbrier County and State of Va. being poorly in health, to wit First I resign my Soul and body to God who gave me being. Secondly after my funeral expenses and past debts are all paid off. I desire that all my property (Except such as maybe hereafter named) should be valued and one third part thereof with the books bearing her name, and my profile in frame be given to my beloved wife Elizabeth Pinnell. Fourthly that as much of my estate in money or otherwise be laid out to purchase for each of my children one Bible, one Methodist Hymn Book, and one Methodist Discipline and the same to be given to them when they become of age or when they be settled in life. Fifthly, I will that each of my children Lucy Pinnell, Nancy Henning (after valuing what part of my estate was given to when married being subtracted from her equal share)Thomas Maddock Pinnell, Jannet Pinnell, Joseph Wright Pinnell, James Pinnell, George Mysingbird Pinnell, Hezekiah Gruber Pinnell, Hannah Chamberlin Pinnell and Anna Wood Pinnell---All share an equal dividend of my estate (With the exception of the things above named) to be given to them by my executors as they may become of age or may settle in life by marriage. Sixthly, I hereby appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth Pinnell during her widow hood my administratrix and my trusty friends Leven Benson and Aaron Burr my executors to carry into affect this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all others made by me. In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of March 1815. John Pinnell Leven Benson John Pinnell Jr. Lucy Pinnell For the further explanation of my will I write these few lines to my executors. The property being valued can afterwards be left in the of my wife (during her widow hood) to maintain school and raise the children on and herself-can be bound to pay to the children the worth of their respective shares with interest and if they think there should be any property which will not be worth keeping on that condition it can be sold. I wish each of my sons to be learned well to read, write and cypher through common arithmetic and the girls to be learned to read and write well and each son when they come to the age of 16 to learn a trade under some godfearing master and if the executors cannot choose for them, let them choose for themselves some trade which they can follow at home without going abroad to work. John Pinnell Greenbrier County Court October term 1820 This testament of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Pinnell Decd. was presented in court and proved by the oath of Leven Benson, Lucy Pinnell subscribing witnesses think to have been duly selected by the said John Pinnell and the same is ordered to recorded. and therefore Leven Benson and Aaron Burr the executors therein named took the oath prescribed by law and entered into bond with Frances Ludington and Robert Stephen their bounties in the penalty of $1000 conditioned as the law directs and on their motion certificate is granted them to obtain letters testermentory in due form of law. Teste Lewis Stuart [Transcribed and submitted by Marilyn Merritt , November, 1998] ********************************************************************************** GREENBRIER COUNTY WILL ABSTRACT-- PINNELL Greenbrier County Will Book 1, pg 541-2 John PINNELL Senr. of Greenbrier Co., VA written 23 March 1815, proved October term 1820 -- beloved wife Elizabeth PINNELL, administrix -- to each child one Bible, one Methodist Hymn Book, and one Methodist Discipline to be given when become of age or settled in life: Lucy PINNELL, Nancy HENNING, Thos. Maddox PINNELL, Jannet PINNELL, Joseph Wright PENNELL, James PENNELL, George Missingbixd [or Missingbird] PENNELL, Hezekiah Gruber PENNELL, Hannah Chamberlin PINNELL, Anna Wood PINNELL. -- sons to learn to read, write, cypher common arithmetic and learn a trade at age 16, daughters learn to read and write well. The records for this work have been submitted by Nancy Hundley, E-mail address: plynne @visi.net, July, 1998. ********************************************************************** Will - James Hanna Greenbrier Co., WV Will Book 1, Page 680 & 681 In the name of God Amen, I James Hanna of the County of Greenbrier and State of Virginia being of good health and of sound mine and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and it is appointed for all men once to die and after Death to come to Judgement do make this my last will and testament in the manner and form following first that is to say I commit my body to the dust to be buried at the discreation of my Escort herein often named and my soul to God who gave it and as for Worldly Goods which it hath pleased God to bestow on me I give & Bequeath in the manner and form following first that all my just Debts be paid together with all my funeral expenses secondly I leave to my wife the plantation I now live on for her support during her natural life with all the property real & personal that I may possess at my death thirdly I leave to my son William the plantation I now live on of 507 acres and two other small tracts joining one of 44 acres and the other of 38 acres which he is to have full possession of at the death of me and my wife and I leave to my son John Hanna one dollar and I leave to my son David Hanna one dollar and I leave to my son Nathan Hanna one dollar and I leave to my son Andrew Hanna one dollar and I leave to my Daughter Jane McMillion one dollar and I leave to my Daughter Nancy McCoy one dollar and I leave to my Daughter Elizabeth Kearns one dollar and at the death of me and my wife I leave all the property that I may be possessed of real and personal to my two Grand Daughters Margaret Hanna daughter to William Hanna & Elizabeth Hanna daughter to James Hanna Dec'd and I make constitute & appoint Samuel Beard Escort of this my last will and Testament, In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seals this 23rd day of February 1824. James Hanna (seal) Teste Nathan Gillelon George Hanna Wm. D. Cottle Submitted by Jimmie Barnes, Homosassa, FL Typed from a handwritten copy given to me by Larry Hanna, Frankford, WV. ***************************************************************************** WILL of JAMES PARKINS [Commas were added after children's names for clarity purposes which are not found on original copy of will] Will Book #1, Page 684 Greenbrier County, VA (WV) "In the name of God Amen I James Parkins of the County of Greenbrier and State of Virginia Weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for his mercy. Cawling (sic) to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointer for all all (sic) men once to die I do make and ordain this my last will and Testament First I resign my soul to God who gave it and my body to be buried in a christian manner. At the discretion of my Executors and as to what worldly estate it has pleased God to bless me with I will and bequeath in the manner following that is to say First that all my just debts and Funeral expenses be paid and that all my estate real and personal be sold except my slaves, And to my beloved Wife Elizabeth I will one third part of the proceeds of said sale together with a negro man named Jack to her for ever. I also will that my two slaves Mary and Joe shall choose whom of my Lawful heirs they will live with and the person or persons whom the said slaves shall choose shall have the said slaves to them and their heirs for ever and no more of any estate and the balance of my estate I will to be equally divided among my following Children To wit James Parkins, Elizabeth Spencer, Thomas Parkins, Samuel Parkins, Sara Atha, Mariah Morrison, Levin Parkins and Masten Parkins and as for my son Will Parkins he has recd of me what I believe to be his full part yet I will him one Dollar as for my son Andw Parkins he has to the best of my knowledge received sixty dollars worth of land known by the name of salt peter Cove [cave?] at or about the mount of muddy creek if the Sixty Dollars does not make him equal with the rest of the heirs I wish him made equal with such of them as do not get the slaves I hereby appoint my son Samuel Executor of my estate to execute this my last will and testament in Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of March 1825 Signed sealed and acknowledged In the presence of us his Andrew Morrison James X Parkins (seal) Richard Morris Mark Greenbrier County Court May Term 1825 This paper purporting to be the last will and Testament of James Parkins decd was presented in Court & proven by the oaths of Andrew Morrison & Richard Morris the witnesses state to have been executed and the same is to be recorded And Samuel Parkins the Executor therein named took the Oath prescribed by Law and entered into bond in the Sum of $1000, with David Tuckwiller his security conditioned as the law decrees therefore Letter Testamentary is Granted him in due form of Law Teste Lewis Stuart CGC The records for this work have been submitted by Linda J. Pointer, Email address: bsmb65a @prodigy.com, March, 1998. **************************************************************************** Greenbrier County, West Virginia - Will of Caleb KNAPP - 1830 [His will made June 3, 1829, probated May, 1830, Lewisburg, WV, recorded in Book I, p. 778-79, photo in poss. of S. Griffith, lists wife Betsey, sons James, Joshua, Caleb, John, Abraham, Moses, daughter Peggy.] In the name of God; Amen; I Caleb Knapp of Greenbrier County and State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound mind and memory but calling to mind the mortality of the body and that it is appointed for all men once [over] to die do make and ordain my Last will last will and Testament in manner following. I recommend my soul to the care of the divine being and my body to be buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter to be appointed and as G----- such worldly goods as it hath pleased God to blefs me with I dispose of in manner following. ----- after debts and funeral expences are paid I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Betsey Knapp the plantation I now live on during widowhood and if she should marry then my will is that she have her thirds of the plantation, also I give to my said wife all the household furniture that she wants to keep. I also leave a horse by the name of Charley to be for the use of the place. I also give a bay filly and two cows to my said wife forever. My will is that all farming utensils and the ballance of my stock to be sold at public sale at my Decease to pay my Debts and after my debts is paid my will is the ballance I leave to my wife, to be at her own disposal. Item-I give to my two sons James and Joshua Knapp the plantation they now live on to be equally divided between them according to quality and quantity as I have stated to them the way it should be run off. Also my will is after my wifes decease that the plantation I now live on to be sold and the price divided as followeth. I leave to my son John One Hundred and fifty dollars I also leave to my son Caleb One Hundred and fifty dollars. I also leave to my son Abraham One hundred and fifty dollars. Item-I give and bequeath to my daughter Peggy One Hundred dollars also. also my will is that the ballance of the price of the plantation I give to my three sons James, Moses and Joshua to be equally divided between them. And lastly I do appoint my Trusty friend Anthony Bowen Executor of this my last will and Testament revoking and disannulling all former wills or Testaments by me made ratifying and confirming this and this only to be my last Will and Testament. In Witnefs whereof I have herewith set my hand and affixed my seal this Third day of June One Thousand Eight Hundred and twenty nine. Intended ---- before Signed. Sealed and delivered. Caleb Knapp seal In presents of Peter Burr John Watts Salatheil W. Watts The records for this work have been submitted by Sandra Griffith, E-mail address: SandraG627 @aol.com, March, 1998. **************************************************************************** Will of Isaac Haptonstall Testator: Isaac Haptonstall of Greenbrier County, West Virginia Will dated: 1 June 1831 Will proved: September Term 1832 Executors: None Witnesses: A. Scott, James Wylie, Rich'd Dickson Source: Will Book 1; pages 803, 804; Greenbrier County, West Virginia In the name of God Amen know all men by these presents that I Isaac Haptonstall of the County of Greenbrier & State of Virginia & calling to mind the mortality of the body & that it is appointed for all men to die do hereby make & ordain this to be my last will & Testament in manner & form following to wit. To my son John Haptonstall and my grandson Charles Haptonstall son to Abraham and Charity Haptonstall I give and Bequeath my home tract of land containing one hundred and fifteen Acres to be Divided equally Between them. I also give all my farming utensils to said Charles Haptonstall & To my son Isaac Haptonstall I give one tract of Land containing 93 acres adjoining the place I now Live on the southwest end. To my daughter Lancy Knap I give one cow. To my grand Daughter Hannah Haptonstall Daughter to Abraham and Charity Haptonstall I give one cow and calf. To the above named Charles Haptonstall I give all the rest of my cattle. I also give all my pots and kettle to said Charles. I also give to said Charles one bed and beadcloaths [sic]. I do hereby acknowledge this to be my last will and Testament hereby making all former wills and Declaring this to be my true last will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirty one. Isaac Haptonstall (his mark) Teste A. Scott James Wylie Rich'd Dickson Greenbrier County Court September Term 1832 This paper purporting to be the last will & Testament of Isaac Haptonstall dec'd was presented in court and proved by the oaths. A. Scott and Richard Dickson Subscribing Witnesses thereto to have been duly Executed and acknowledged therefore It is ordered that the same be Recorded whereupon on the motion of John Haptonstall administration with the will annexed is granted him and thereupon he took the oaths prescribed by Law and entered into bond in sum of $200 with Richard Dickson & John Sammons his securities as the Law directs therefore Letters is granted him in due form. Teste John Mathews, CGC NOTE: There were no punctuation marks in the will. The periods at the end of the sentences have been added by the submitter for clarity. Submitted by Darla Ruebush (darbush @wizrealm.com) ***************************************************************************