Will of Thomas Hall, Culpeper County, Virginia

Source

Rachel Hall etc. vs Exr. of Thomas Hall, Culpeper County, Virginia; Library of Virginia Chancery Records Index No. 1866-020; Digital images of the case files can be found at the Library of Virginia: [1]

Will Transcript of Thomas Hall, Culpeper County, Virginia. 1 May 1840; 18 May 1840.

In the name of God, amen. I, Thomas Hall of the county of Culpeper and state of Virginia being sick and weak in body, but of sound and disposing mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of life, and being desirous to make disposition of such worldly effects as it has pleased God to endow me with, do make this my last will, testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any previous times made

1st. I return my soul to almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth to be interred in a decent and Christian-like manner at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named.

2. I desire that as soon after my decease as he can, my executor shall pay out of my estate my funeral expenses and all my just debts.

3. i give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Amy Hall one third part of my land to be ascertained by valuation by commissioners appointed for that purpose by the count court of Culpeper, and as laid off as to include the dwelling house and other buildings around. In ascertaining the said third in vlue, all my real estate will be valued and the dwelling house estimated as a part. Also one third part of my negroes in value to be ascertained by the said commissioners by valuing all my negroes and allotting her third out of all, reserving and excepting Matilda and her children Eliza and her two children Juliet, her sister, and Daniel, Ellick and Charles none of whom are to be included in my wife’s third unless they are willing to it. Also one third part of all my money, bonds and accounts due or already created which belong to my estate. If the bonds cannot be divided as to give her one third my executor will collect them and give to her the amount when collected . Also one third part of all my stock of every description, plantation tools, kitchen furniture and the crops that may be on hand all which shall be valued and allotted to her by said Commissioners. Also all my household furniture, excepted such as herein otherwise bequeathed. ALl of which above named, I give to her and her heirs forever.

4. My will and desire is that all of my negroes which remain after giving to my said wife her third of value, and their increase be free, provided they agree to go to Liberia, and they are to have three months after my decease to decide whether they will be free on those terms. And all of them who shall decide to go I hereby emancipate and free for that purpose. And in that event that any of them so decide, I charge my executor to arrange forthwith with officers of the colonization society for their transportation to Liberia and authorize him to take from my estate a sum not exceeding twenty five dollars for each one going to assist in defraying the expense of conveyance and request him to make the best arrangement he can for their comfort with the means thus put in his power. If any or all of my said negroes shall decline their freedom on condition of going to Liberia, then in that case such as thus negroes shall remain slaves and abe and remain part of my estate to be disposed of as hereinafter provided.

5th I give and bequeath to my brother Jeremiah Hall my riding horse “Tom” in token of my regard and affection for him. Also one bureau that was my son’s and one small silver ladle.

6. I give to the children of my late niece Elizabeth Norris by name Thomas William, Peter Jeremiah and Sarah Ann Norris the sum of twenty dollars each.

7. I give to the daughter of my late niece Elizabeth Clark (names not recollected) the sum of twenty dollars.

8. I give to my nephew John Brown (double name not recollected) the sum of one dollar.

9. I give to my wife’s nephew A.W. Griffin my horse “Shelley” which was once my son’s and lately used by the said A.W. My will and desire is and I hereby direct that my executor so soon after my decease as it is proper and lawful to do so, proceed to sell all the residue of my estate both real & personal of every description which remains after satisfying the aforementioned bequests, on a credit of twelve months in the usual way and collect the proceeds in money and after he shall have done so, that he divide said money together will all other monies belonging to my estate and resulting from whatever source, except what is herein before disposed of, between the following persons equally to all and each viz. Thomas William Hall, Carter A. Hall, Maria Hall and Ann Hall children of my brother Jeremiah Hall, Edward L. Robinson and Mary Wyatt (if a double name not recollected late Mary Robinson children of my sister Ann by her husband Robinson and Ann Clark daughter of my said sister Ann by her first husband Brown, the said Edward L. Robinson to account in his part for the sum of four hundred and nineteen dollars advanced to him by me heretofore. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend Edmund Broadus executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this first day of May eighteen hundred and forty.
Thos Hall (seal)

Signed, seald published and declared by Thomas Hall as and for his last will and testament in the presence & hearing of us, who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our name as witness: Samuel Rixey,
Charles Pinckard
James Penn.

Will proved Culpeper County, Virginia Chancery Court 18 May 1840