from Wills – Loudoun County, Virginia 1793-1797

pp. 297-298

In the name of God, amen.  I, Richard Williams, of the County of Loudoun and State of Virginia, being weak of body but of sound mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following; and as touching such worldly goods as God hath been pleased to bless me with I give and bequeath in the manner and form following, vizt.  My desire is that all my just debts be paid.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my son, Jenkin Williams, five shillings.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my son, Joseph Williams, five shillings.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my son, James Williams, one middle sized pewter dish.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Shrieves, five shillings.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my son, Enos Williams, all my lands I now possess to him and his heirs or assigns forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my wife, Margaret, one third part of the above mentioned land with all my stock consisting of cattle, sheep, hogs and one mare for and during her natural life and after her death I give the same to son Enos Williams, with all my household furniture and everything else that is my property to him, his heirs and assigns forever; my son, Enos, to take care of the stock above mentioned and to find his mother in fire wood as long as she lives.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my grandson, William George, six pounds Virginia currency to be paid him two years after my decease by my executors.  And I make, constitute and appoint my son, Enos Williams, and my friend, Charles Bennett, as executors to this my Last Will and Testament, utterly revoking and disannulling all other former Will and Wills by me made hereto, ratifying and confirming this and this only my Last Will and Testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twentieth day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.  Sealed, signed and pronounced in the presence of Jesse Taylor, William Brown.

Richard Williams

At a Court held for Loudoun County May the 8th 1797

This Last Will and Testament of Richard Williams, deceased, was proved by the affirmation of William Brown and Jesse Taylor, two subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded.  And on motion of Enos Williams and Charles Bennett, the executors therein named, who made oath thereto according to law, and together with Isaac Larrowe, their security, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of two hundred pounds with condition as the law directs.  Certificate is granted them for obtaining probate thereof in due form.  Teste  Charles Binns, Court Clerk