Stafford County, Virginia, Will Book M

pp. 26-27

In the name of God, Amen.  On this 21^st day of our Lord in the year one thousand seven hundred twenty three, I, Matthew Keen, of the County of Stafford, being sick of body, but of perfect mind and memory, do make this my last Will and Testament.  As to my worldly goods I give in form following.  Imprimis.  I give unto my dear and loving wife, Bridget, all my land that I now live upon during her natural life.  Item.  I give unto my said wife, Bridget, one Negro boy named Mott.  Item.  I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Withers the land whereon she now lives and so to the true bounds I set and marked unto her husband James Withers, which true bounds I desire he may not exceed during the life of my dear wife, and I further desire that my said daughter may have the lands within the said bounds without any disturbance whatsoever during my wife’s life.  Item.  I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Withers after the decease of my loving wife Bridget, all my whole estate of land, as well the track of lands whereon I now live as any other land that may or ought to come to me to my said daughter Elizabeth and the heirs of her body.  Item.  I give unto my said daughter Elizabeth Withers twenty shillings to buy her a ring to wear in remembrance of me.  Item.  I give unto my son-in-law James Withers one five year old steer.  Item.  I give unto my granddaughter Elizabeth Fields one feather bed and the furniture thereunto belonging to that bed that is now in the trundle bedstead.  I also give unto my said granddaughter the pewter that is now laid aside for her and which is properly her own to her and her heirs forever.  Item.  I give unto my grandson John Withers after the decease of my loving wife my buccaneer gun.  Item.  I give unto Elizabeth Emmett one heifer of the age of three years at the expiration of her time to her and her heirs.  Item.  I give unto my dear and loving wife Bridget the remainder of my estate of what quality, specie or quantity it be, within or without as well real as personal.  And I do hereby make my dear and loving wife Bridget and none other my whole and sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament.  Signed and sealed in the present of James Sewers, Joseph Treen and John Edge                             Matthew Keen

Memorandum.  That on the 25^th day of February, 1730, I read the within written will to Matthew Keen and he acknowledged it to be his last Will allowing the following clause.

Whereas the land the within named Matthew Keen now lives upon is bequeathed to his daughter Elizabeth Withers after his wife’s decease, this day being the 25^th of February, 1730, the said Matthew Keen in presence of several witnesses hath gave the said land which he now lives on to John Withers, eldest son of the said Elizabeth Withers after the decease of his loving wife Bridget Keen.

At a court held for Stafford County the fourteenth day of April 1731, the last Will and Testament of Matthew Keen was presented in court by Bridget Keen, his executrix therein named who made oath thereto according to law and being proved by the oaths of John Edge and Joseph Treen, two of the witnesses thereto, it is admitted to record and on the motion of the said Executrix and her performing what is usual in such cases certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, she giving sufficient security.