SAMUEL WOODSON VENABLE of "Springfield," Prince Edward Co., Va., ... mar., Aug. 15, 1871, at "Mulberry Hill," Charlotte Co., Va., Mary S. Carrington (b. Nov. 14, 1756, at "Mulberry Hill," Charlotte Co., Va.; d. at "Springfield," Prince Edward Co., Va., before May 15, 1837), daughter of Judge Paul Carrington, Sr., of "Mulberry Hill" and Margaret (Read) Carrington, his wife. ...
... Mary S. Carrington, wife of Colonel Samuel Woodson Venable, was a daughter of Judge Paul Carrington, Sr., and sister of Judge Paul Carrington, Jr.; of Colonel Carrington; of Anne Carrington, wife of Colonel William Cabell, Jr., of "Union Hill; " and of General George Carrington. Dr. Alexander describes her as:
A woman of uncommon vivacity, wit and power of sarcasm. She added to these gifts great practical judgement which she displayed in the management of her household, and the rearing of her large family, — and all was crowned and chastened by earnest piety. In powers of conversation she is said to have had few equals. Her company was always enjoyed on account of her bright wit and amusing criticisms on men, and passing events. She frequently visited the Virginia Springs where she was usually surrounded by groups of young people entertained by her conversation. Her fame was so great that she was often referred as "John Randolph in petticoats."
"Springfield," the plantation home of Samuel Woodson Venable and his wife, Mary, was burned many years ago, and the garden and every trace of culture eliminated, — even the quaint picture of the place done in tapestry by the patient fingers of their gifted daughter, Henningham, has been burned. No one now living remembers anything much about it. But in the Inventory of part of the estate, preserved in the Court House records, in Prince Edward Co., Va., we find, among other interesting items, sixty-one slaves, valued at $13,445 — and we must remember that at the marriage of each of his twelve children, he gave them an ample dower in slaves and land. ...
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Will of Mary S. (Carrington) Venable of "Springfield," Prince Edward Co., Va.
I Mary S. Venable do make this my last will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say, Item
1st. I desire that all my just debts be paid, out of any money that may belong to my estate.
2d. I give to each of my children or their representatives the sum of Fifty pounds, being the amount of money formerly advanced me by them — to them and their heirs forever.
3d. I give to my daughter Elizabeth W. Watkins, & her heirs forever the sum of Five hundred Dollars, and my picture called "The last Supper."
4th. I give to my daughter Margarett R. Cabell my new carriage, the miniature likeness of my husband, and the Vols, of the "Domestic Encyclopedia" — to her & her heirs forever.
5th. I give to my daughter Ann M. Read one-third part of my household and kitchen furniture, not specifically bequeathed, to her & her heirs forever.
6th. I give to my daughter Clementina Reid and her heirs forever, a negro girl "Patsy" and her increase (the girl being now in her possession) — all my stock in the "Appomattox Company" and one third part of my household & kitchen furniture not specially bequeathed in this will.
7th. I give to my daughter Henningham C. Anderson & her heirs forever, my negro woman "Jenny" — her child "Katey" — a negro girl "Milly" & their increase, — Also, my loom, warping bars &c — one bed, bed-stead & bed furniture: I also release to my said daughter Henningham, the amount of her bond executed to me and all interest &c on the same: — The bond is I believe for $1267.50, and was given for money advanced by me for the purchase of land (adjoining her land) of Col. Morton.
8th. I give to my daughter Mary C. Womack & her heirs forever a negro woman "Joanna," (daughter of Jenny) — her child "Jenney" & their increase: also a negro boy "Scipio" and a negro boy "Billy" son of Abram & Molly, also my mothers "Family Bible." Also one-third part of my household and kitchen furniture, not otherwise specially devised in this bill.
9th. I give to my son Nathaniel E. Venable & his heirs forever, his Fathers Desk and Book-case.
10th. I give to my son Paul C. Venable & his heirs forever, my dressing table or Bureau with glass-knobs in the chamber.
11th. I give to my daughter Agnes W. Watkins & her heirs forever, a negro man "Armstead."
12th. I give to my son Samuel W. Venable & his heirs forever, my other Book-case and drawers.
13th. I give to my son Abram W. Venable one bed- bedstead & bed furniture—my dressing table—and a corner table in the parlor purchased of the estate of his uncle Abram B. Venable, dec'd, — to him & his heirs forever.
14th. I give to my daughter Mildred C. Shepperson, the following property, (subject however to the Trusts, provisions restricting &c herein after mentioned), to-wit: A negro woman, "Katey" — her grand-son "Billey" (negros whom I purchased of Margarett R. Cabell?) a negro woman "Polly" — her daughter "Nancy" and their increase: also, the miniature likeness of myself — and one of the parlor tables. It is my will and desire and I do hereby direct that the portion of my estate which I have herein devised to my said daughter Mildred C. Shepperson, and every part & parcel thereof shall be vested in and held by Nathaniel E. Venable and Samuel W. Venable — or the survivor of them, upon the following Trust; that is to say; That they shall hold the said portion for the use and benefit of my said daughter Mildred and her children, and shall vest, lay out, and expend, the profits, proceeds, interests, hires &c arising from the same, in such manner as to them shall seem most advisable, for the use, benefit, enjoyment &c of my said daughter Mildred & her children, during her natural life; and at her death, I direct that the said portion of property herein devised to my said daughter Mildred shall be equally divided and secured to my said daughters children then living & the children of such as may be dead (if any such there be) these last taking their parents portion. I hereby give the Trustees aforesaid entire control over the said property and for the purposes and trust aforesaid:— I also give them power to sell all or any portion thereof; and vest the proceeds of such sale in other property or interest to be held by them upon the like Trust. If my daughter Mildred should die without children living at her death, or their children, then, I will that her husband Charles Shepperson shall hold the same in fee-simple if he be living, and if he be dead, then It is my wish that the portion aforesaid be equally divided among my living children or the heirs of such as may be dead. No part or parcel of the property aforesaid is to be subject to the debts contracts &c of my said daughter Mildred's husband. Should the Trustees herein named from any cause fail to act I desire that the Court of this County may appoint some fit & proper person or persons Trustees, as aforesaid.
15th. I give my grand daughter Mary Louisa Comfort a miniature likeness of my uncle Thos. Read.
16th. I give to my grand-son Francis N. Watkins my writing desk.
17th. I give to my grand-daughter Mary (daughter of Paul C. Venable) my mothers dressing table.
18th. I desire Twelve plain-neat-mourning rings to be purchased by my Exors and my husband's & my own hair to be inserted in them & to be presented to each of my daughters, daughters-in-law & my son Samuel.
19th. I wish my pictures (not specifically devised) to be equally divided among my daughters, and the Portraits to be returned to those to whom they belong. I wish my books (not devised specially) to be also divided among my daughters.
20th. I wish "Saunders" to be sold. I particularly desire my Exors. to sell him conveniently to his wife, and I give them full discretion as to the manner, time, place &c in selling him, desiring them to keep in view the object I have in selling him—that is, convenient to his wife.
21st. All the residue of my estate, I desire to be sold.
22d. After the payment of my debts, the pecuniary legacies &c, I give the Residium if any to my daughters Mary C. Womack, Ann M. Read, and Clementina Reid and their heirs forever, to be equally divided among them.
23d. After my debts have been paid, and also the pecuniary legacies herein mentioned, I wish my Exors. to appropriate the sum of Two hundred dollars from my estate to the purchase of some suitable portion of the public burying ground at the "College Church" or adjacent thereto, and to cause the same to be enclosed with a suitable wall &c, to be used as a Family burying ground. And I desire that my descendants may make up a sufficient sum for the purpose, should $200 be insufficient.
24th. I desire to be buried in the said burying Ground, and a neat plain Tomb-stone to be placed over my grave: and I particularly desire & request that if no stone shall be placed over my Husband's grave during my life, that my Exors, should cause a suitable one to be raised over him, & pay for the same out of my Estate.
25th. I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons Nathaniel E. Venable and Samuel W. Venable Executors to this my last will & testament; and I do hereby revoke all other wills & codicils made by me.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 18th day of February 1837.
Witness: Mary S. Venable (Seal)
Francis N. Watkins
John J. Brightwell
J. W. Womack.
At a Court held for Prince Edward County May the 15th 1837.
This last will and testament of Mary S. Venable, dec'd was presented in Court & Francis N. Watkins a legatee therein, relinquishes any and all interest herein bequeathed to him, and the said will was proved by the oaths of said Francis N. Watkins and John J. Brightwell two witnesses thereto, ordered that the same be recorded.
On motion of Nanthaniel E. Venable and Samuel W. Venable Executors herein named, they with Clement R. Read their security entered into and acknowledged their bond for the purpose in the penalty of Twenty thousand dollars, condition according to law, and took the oath required by law, Certificate for obtaining a probate thereof in due form is granted them.
Teste: B. J. Worsham, C. C.
A copy
Teste
Horace Adams Clerk
