Putnam County, West Virginia - Will of James Conner - 1851 ********************************************************************** 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. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** Copyright 1996 James Denning Thanks to James Denning for submitting this file for the WVGenWeb Archives. This file may be freely copied but may not be sold. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEM. I, James Conner, Sen., of the County of Putnam in the State of Virginia, being of sound mind, and disposing memory, (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertinity(sic) of human life, and being desirious to despose of all my worldly estate, that it has pleased God to help me with, I do hereby give and bequeath the same in manner and form following, that is to say: First-If my dear wife Mary survives me I leave her to the especial care and protection of my three sons, Charles, James and Andrew Jackson Conner. Secondly-I give and bequeath to my Grandson G.S. Lansford, only child of my deceased daughter Betsey, One hundred dollars to be paid out and disposed of by my son Charles Conner as he shall think most to his interest. Thirdly-I give and bequeath to my Grand Children by my daughter Nancy, to-wit: James Giles, Mary M. Giles, John Giles, Robert Giles, Dallas Giles and Francis Giles, the sum of one thousand dollars; also to her two children by Albert Poindexter, viz Charles & Harriett the sum of five hundred dollars, to be distributed by my son Charles Conner as their several necessities requires. Fourthly-I give and bequeath to my Grand children by my daughter Sydney Poindexter the sum of seven hundred dollars, also to be by my son Charles Conner distributed among them as their several necessities requires. Fifthly-At my death I wish, (if they desire it) my slaves Tom, Delph, & Harry to be set free, but if they do not wish to be divided between my three sons Charles, James & Andrew J. Conner. also at the death of myself and my dear wife, I desire that my slave Mariah should be set free, if she should desire it, if not to belong to my three sons Charles, James & Andrew J. Conner, & equally divided between them. Sixthly-I also desire that all the slaves that I have raised, to-wit: Jack, Mull, Joe, Rough & Mary shall be free at the age of thirty years, if they it, and if they do not, to belong to, and be equally divided among my three sons Charles, James & Andrew J. Conner. Seventhly_all the balance of my estate both real and personal I give to my said sons Charles, James & Andrew J. Conner, to be equally divided between them, deducting therfrom the amount heretofore advanced them, either in money or land, so the each ones shares, shall be equal, they providing for the wants & comforts of my dear wife (should she survive me) as long as she lives. Lastly-I hereby constitue and appoint my son Charles Conner and H.H. Forbs, my executors to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other and former wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In withness wherof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of August A.D. 1851. James Conner, (SEAL) Signed, sealed and delivered by James Conner, Sen. as and for his last will and testament in presence of us. Alfred Ellis John Dudding H.H. Forbs At a Court held for the County of Putnam on Monday the 22" day of September, 1851. The last will and testament of James Conner deceased was proved by the oaths of Alfred Ellis, John Dudding & H.H. Forbs the witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Charles Conner & H.H. Forbs the executors therein named who made oath thereto and together with Alexander W. Handley, Alfred Ellix, Mahlon S. Morris & Thomas P. Hope their securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $18000 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted them for obtaining probate of the said will in due form. Teste: H.H. Forbs, Clerk. WEST VIRGINIA, PUTNAM COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE: June 11th, 1915. I, J.M. Henso, Clerk of the County Court of Putnam County, West Virginia certity that the foregoing is a true copy of the will of James Conner and the certificate therto annexed, as transcribed by me from original Will Book No. 1, Page 8. Test: J.M. Henso, Clerk Copyright 1996 James Denning Thanks to James Denning for submitting this file for the WVGenWeb Archives. This file may be freely copied but may not be sold.