from Loudoun County Will Book B, pp. 397-399

Will of Matthew Campbell

In the name of God, Amen.  I, Matthew Campbell, of the county of Loudoun and Commonwealth of Virginia, being weak and low in body, but of sound and perfect memory, do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

Imprimis.  Whereas Robert Adam of Fairfax County and state aforesaid, hath formerly expressed a desire to purchase the land I reside on, called Faw’s Farm, for which he proffered to pay the sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds sterling money of Grat Britain, now it is my will that the said Robert Adam may and shall have the said land provided he will pay the aforesaid sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds sterling into the hands of my executors in thirty days after my decease, which sum my executors are hereby authorized to receive.  But on Mr. Robert Adam’s failing to comply with the above terms, my executors are empowered to dispose of the said lands for the best price that can be got, together with my personal estate and slaves for the purpose of paying my just debts and the legacies hereafter mentioned.  I in a particular manner enjoin my executors to pay a debt of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling due to my mother in Great Britain for which Robert Adam is my security in a bond; also to pay or cause to be paid unto Henry Riddle of said kingdom the sum due him.

I give and bequeath unto Helen Curtis of Leesburg, widow, one hundred pounds current money to be paid by my executors out of the first money that is in their hands after payment of the above British debts.

I also give unto Mary Curtis, daughter of Helen Curtis, a lot or half acre of land lying and situated in the Town of Leesburg, which lot I bought of John McGinnis.  The lot to be under the direction of her mother until she arrives of age.

It is my will that Janney Paterson of said town shall have a lot of land adjoining Leesburg, conveyed to me by Nicholas Minor, as per deed will more fully appear.

I likewise give and bequeath all the residue or balance of my estate (after payment of just debts and the legacies herein specified) to my mother, Marion Campbell (widow of the deceased John Campbell, late minister of the gospel at Barr) residing in North Britain, or in the case of her death to my sister, Marion Campbell, to be remitted her by my executors as speedily as the situation of public affiars will admit of same time requesting my executors to put this part of my estate out on interest until a safe conveyance can be obtaind to transmit it to the legatees.

Lastly I constitute and appoint my worthy friends, James Kirk, William Neilson, Patrick Cavan and Robert Adam, executors of this my Last Will and Testament, revoking all others.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-third day of February anno domini 1782.                 Matthew Campbell

In the presence of us James Wilson, Mary Wilson, Henry McCabe

At a Court held for Loudoun County the 11th day of March 1782.  This will was proved by the oath of James Wilson and Henry McCabe, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.  And on the motion of James Kirk and Patrick Cavan, two of the executors therein named who made oath according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, they giving security.  Whereupon the said James and Patrick with John Littlejohn and Henry McCabe, their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of six thousand pounds conditioned as the law directs and liberty is reserved for the other executors to join in the probate when they shall think proper.