Person:James Smith (445)

Will of James Smith

Will of James Smith

In the name of God, Amen; I, James Smith of the County of Scott and the State of Virginia, being frail in body but of sound mind and memory, thanks be given to God, calling onto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die; do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hand of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth, to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors; nothing doubting but at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again, by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give, demise and dispose of in the following manner and form.

First, I give to Elizabeth, my beloved wife, all my household and kitchen furniture together with the bedding, clothing and all that appertains to the same, to keep and dispose of at her discretion forever.

Secondly, I give and bequeath all my land and other appointments to my two sons Alexander and Benjamin, to be divided as followeth; Beginning at the Still house, and thence running across the field a west course to the north side of the grave field; Alexander to have the north end & Benjamin the south end, the said Alexander and Benjamin Smith, my two sons, whom I likewise make and appoint my sole Executors of this my last will and testament, all and singular my land and tenements by them freely to be enjoyed.

Thirdly, the balance of my children towit; Nancy Rouse, Nathan, Sary Brown, Rebecca Bledsoe & my son Thomas Smith heirs & Grissy Smith & Peggy Gardner, then I give and bequeath each of them one dollar to be paid by my Executors, together with all my just debts to be paid by them, my said Executors, out of my personal estate, and I do hereby disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies, bequests and executors, by me in any wise before named, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament, in witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.

His X James Smith mark signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us, William Purcell, Eleanor Purcell.

Virginia: At a Court continued and held for Scott County the 15th day of February, 1834. This last will and testament of James Smith, deceased, was proven by the oath of William Purcell and Eleanor Purcell, witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Attest, John S. Martin, CSC (Will Book 2,Scott Co.,Va., pp.148).