Will of William Mercer Submitted by Carolro@aol.com ********************************************************************** 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. ********************************************************************** (Book 1, Pages 34, 35, Will Book, Hancock County, West Virginia) WILL OF WILLIAM MERCER In the name of God, Amen, I, WILLIAM MERCER of the county of Hancock and State of Virginia, being of sound mind memory and judgement but calling to mind the uncertainty of all human affairs do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say I give and bequeath to my TWO SONS LEVI MERCER AND ROBERT MERCER their heirs and assigns forever the two farms of land and premises situate on TOMLINSON'S RUN on which the said ROBERT and LEVI now live which land I have divided between them as by deed executed by me to them which deeds I desire may be delivered to them after my decease. I will and bequeath to my SON JOSIAH MERCER his heirs and assigns forever one hundred and fifty dollars in addition to the ____ amount I have already paid to him. I give and bequeath to my SON WILLIAM MERCER and to his heirs one hundred and fifty dollars in addition to what he has heretofore received from me which last two bequests are to be paid out of the proceeds of my personal estate. I will and bequeath to my DAUGHTER ELIZABETH JACKSON and her heirs two hundred dollars to be paid to her or them by my SON LEVI MERCER in two years from my decease. I will and bequeath to my DAUGHTER ELLEANOR JACKSON and to her heirs given two hundred dollars to be paid to her or them by my SON LEVI MERCER in two years from my decease. I give and bequeath to my DAUGHTER SARAH MERCER and to her heirs two hundred dollars to be paid to her or them by my SON ROBT. MERCER in two years from my decease. I also will and bequeath to my YOUNGEST DAUGHTER ANN JACKSON and to her heirs two hundred dollars to be paid to her or herr heirs within two years after my decease by my SON ROBERT MERCER. It is my wish and desire that my wife, my daughters SALLY and MARY JANE MERCER should live together in my dwelling and retain the household and kitchen furniture for their use forever. Also, the garden, one horse and two cows which are to be pastured and provided for in winter and summer by my son ROBERT MERCER, who is also to furnish grain sufficient for family use to my said wife, SARAH and MARY JANE as long as the said SARAH or MARY JANE remain single. The necessary milling and firewood to be provided for them jointly by my SONS LEVI and ROBERT Mercer. It is my wish will and desire that my SONS LEVI and ROBERT MERCER should provided my beloved wife with everything necessary for her comfortable subsistence during her natural life. I will and bequeath to my daughter SALLY MERCER and her heirs one cow, one bed and bedding and one bureau, one bridle and saddle and the other cow and horse beast above devised to be my wife's during her life. I give and bequeath to MARY JANE MERCER when she gets married one cow, one bed and bedding. All the remaining part of my personal estate not herein disposed of I desire may be sold and applied to the discharge of the foregoing bequests as far as it may be applicable and of the balance that may remain That twenty dollars may be appropriated to the education of each of my grandchildren viz WILLIAM A. JACKSON, son of ELLEN; WILLIAM JACKSON, son of ELIZABETH. WILLIAM MERCER, son of JOSIAH and what may remain I desire it may be invested in land property as near to the Ohio River as practicalable for the use and benefit of my two grandchildren WILLIAM MERCER, son of WILLIAM MERCER and ROBERT MERCER, son of SALLY to them and their heirs and assigned forever but if the balance of my estate last mentioned should prove insufficient to invest in land, I desire that such sum left may be equally divided between them when they become of age with the interest that may have accrued thereon. I desire that my just debts be paid before any of the foregoing bequests. Lastly I hereby nominate my son LEVI MERCER and THOMAS BAMBRICH executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or former wills and testament heretofore made by me. I authorize the executor to convey the sawmill property to JACOB FOWLER Witness my hand and seal this 14th day of January 1852. Signed and sealed published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the said WM. MERCER in presence of us THOS. ELDER and JAMES H. PUGH. County Court of Hancock County Virginia September 12, 1853 The last will and testament of William MERCER dec'd was proven in court upon the oaths of James H. Pugh and Thomas Elder Subscribing Witnesses thereto and thereupon Thomas Babrick one of the Executors named in said will comes to Court and relinquishes his right to qualify as said Executor. Thereupon Levi Mercer named Executor in said will comes into Court and entered into and Executed a Bond with Thomas Babrich his surety who qualifed in the sum of siix hundred dollars conditioned for the faithful discharge of his office and trust and thereupon leave is given him to take out letters of testamentary. It is ordered that said will be recorded. A copy Teste. A. K. McCoun Clk By Danl Donehoo Dpty I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last will and testament of William Mercer decd with a true copy of the order admitting the same to Record. A. K. McCooun, Clk By Danl Donehoo Dpty