Person:William Chapman (99)

Sill of William Chapman

Madison County, Madison, Virginia Will Records Book 1 Pages 404-406

In the name of God amen I, William Chapman of Madison County being weak ofbody but of so und mind and perfect memory do make and appoint this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. My soul I recommend to almighty God who gave it me and my body to be entered into the earth in a decent manner at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named, and after my las t debts and funeral charges are paid. What worldly estate it has pleased the Lord to bless me with I will and bestow in manner following (VIZ):

Item It is my desire that my loving wife Mary Chapman, keep all of my Estate of every discription together until my son Simeon, comes to lawful age with this exception, that she is to give out a part thereof to my children in manner hereafter directed.

Item It is my will that my son William shall have the use of the land I bought of John Burdine and my son Thomas the use of that which I got of Benjamin Dickens which they are to keep during the life of my said wife but in case the lan d hereafter lent my wife be taken from her that then she is to have the lands lent my two sons William and Thomas.

Item As I have already given my daughter Elizabeth Wetherall two Negros stock, household furniture and other things together worth two hundred and eighty one pounds 12/6 and unto my daughter Judith Hill two negros stock equ to the value of two hundred and thirty seven pounds 12/6 and It is my wish that my wife give her out of my Estate as much as will make it up equal to what I gave my daughter Elizabeth, and I have also given my son William one negro stock equ to the amount of two hundred and eighty pounds 12/6 & It is my will that my wife give unto my son Thomas one Negro stock, household furniture, equal to the same value as that given to my son William, and unto my daughter Anna, when she comes of age or marries two negros stock, household furniture equ to the same amount as that given either of my other daughters and when my son Simeon attains the age of twenty one years that there be given him one negro stock, household furniture equ of the same value as that given either of my other sons, but in case either of my children should think that the part of my Estate alloted them by my said wife is not equal to either of the others as above that the one complaining together with my wife chuse one or more disinterested men who shall value the same and if deficient it is to be made up to them and if too much be by them repaid.

Item It is my intention that when my son Simeon, comes of age that he is to have the us e of a part of the lands I now live on but not to exceed one half nor to interfear with the house or the part convenient thereto and at that time all the residue of my estate (except lands and six negros Ephriam, Winney, Faney, Suey, Rueben, and Maria which I lend my said wife Mary Chapman during her natural life at all events) be made together and so devided that my wife have one third part, and the rest to all my children share and share alike and at the death of my said wife all that part of my Estate lent her and what she got by the division together with the lands lent my three sons be again made together and first making up to my three sons William, Thomas, and Simeon as much added to what they before had of my Estate as will make their parts equal to that which either of my daughters has had, of my said Estate and the remainder to be divided between all my children before named in equal proportions to them, their heirs or assigns forever.

Item It is my will that my wife and Executors use every means in their powers to secure a title to the land I now live on.

Item It is to be expressly understood that in case my said wife should not live to perform the duties imposed on her by this my will that my executors shall do th e same and in the same manner as directed for her with the exception that the division of my Estate take place as soon after her decease as convenient and consistant with the interest of the said Estate.

Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my wife Mary Chapman and my two sons William a nd Thomas Chapman and my friends John Wetherall and Robert Hill executrix and executors to this my last will and Testament in witness whereoff I have hereunto set my hand and affixd my seal this Seventeenth day of April one thousand eight hundred.

(signed) William Chapman SEAL

Signed, sealed & acknowledged by the

Testator to be his will in the presence

his

Ezekiel X Wilhoit

mark

George Hume

her

Nancy X Batton

mark

Leo.d Barnes

At a court held for Madison County the 25th day of August 1803

This instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of William Chapm an deceased, was exhibited into Court and proved by the oaths of Nancy Batton and Leonard Barnes two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified and on the action of Mary Chapman, William Chapman and Thomas Chapman Executrix and Executor herein named a certificate is granted them for obtaining a probal in due form on their giving bond and security according to law whereupon they together with Henry Lewis and Thomas Bohannon their securities certified into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of ten thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs and qualified accordingly and at a Court held for the said County the 22nd day of September 1803 was fully proved by the oath of Ezekiel Wilhoit a third witness thereto and ordered to be recorded.

Teste

John Walker, CMC

Citations

http://www.gencircles.com/users/khw4/1/print/3210