Will of Joseph Parker, Sr., c1819 - Monroe Co. WV In the name of God Amen I Joseph Parker son of the county of Monroe and the state of Virginia- being very weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind. Blessed be almighty God for the same to make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) first of all recommend my soul to God that gave it, and my body to be buried in a decent manner and secondly all my just debts to be paid , thirdly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Jenny her choice of all my horses, also her choice of three cows , also six sheep, eight head of hogs. Likewise her choice of a bed and furniture and all the fall gain that is in the ground and the spring crop when put in. Likewise the one half of all the crops arising from this manner plantation during her life or widowhood. After her death or marriage I desire this plantation that I now reside on to be divided in six equal part among my six sons excepting the land that is now cleared and inclosed which I desire to reserve seven years for the support of my youngest children, this old tract that aforementioned or one hundred acres I give and bequeath to my youngest son Andrew and also during the life or widowhood of my wife Jenny I desire that she shall have this old plantation, also if she marrys it is disiretionary with her children whither she continues on the place or not. I likewise give to my eldest son James Parker one French Crown, also my son Thomas Parker.. clear receipt for all the debts that he is in due me and one French Crown, I also give to Thomas Parker’s wife Betsy a suit of silk as she chooses. Likewise to my eldest daughter Jenny Irons a suit of silk and a suit of Calico such as she chooses and one French Crown. I also desire my Excators which I shall name to sell my other two plantations, one in Greenbrier County containing two hundred and fortly two acres in Friers holer, the other in Monroe on Brush Creek containing two hundred and ninety acres to be sold and the money to be equally divided between my two youngest daughters Polly and Rachael, I also give unto my wife Jenny all the residue of my household furniture during her life or widowhood, I also give and bequeath my son Jefsce my blue horse,also my son Joseph my young sorrel horse and the residue of my horses and all my farming utensils for the use of said place, I also desire my two sons Jefse and Joseph if they continue on old plantation to be taught bookkeeping and surveying, I also desire that my other four sons shall be taught to read and write and cyper through the common arithmetick out of the profits arising from my plantation that I now reside on, I also desire my two sons Joseph and Jefse when they marry one milk cow each and to my other four sons a horse and a milk cow each at their marriage and the rest of the stock to be for use and support of the old plantation and to be supported from the fors dues of said plantation and if they increase arising from said stock can be spared to be sold and for the use of schooling my youngest children, I also desire my young stud horse to be well fed and care taken and next fall sold for the use of said building now begun, I also appoint my beloved wife Jenny and Andrew Balentine my Executors whom I hereby appoint my sole executrice of this my last and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made in writing where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal, Signed Sealed published and declared in by the above named Joseph Parker Sen. to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed as witnefs our names in presence of the Testor Joseph Parker James Jones Peter x Jones his mark Mary x Jones her mark At Monroe June Court 1819 This last will and testament of Joseph Parker dec. was presented in Court by Andrew Ballentine the Executor named in said will of proven by the oaths of James Jones, Peter Jones Jr. ,Mary Jones subscribing witnefses thereto of the same is ordered to be recorded as on the motion of the said Andrew Balentine executor named as afore said who made oath as togeather with Thomas Irons Jr., George Nickle his secureties entered into as acknowledged bond in the penalty of twelve hundred dollars conditioned as the law directs certificate for obtaining probate thereof in due form is granted him. It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Jane Parker the Executrise named in said will refused to take upon herself the burthen of the execution thereof. A Copy Test Isaac Hutchison CMC Submitted by Sue Taylor Durham **************************************************************** 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. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************