Will of Benjamin T
Will of Benjamin T. Douglas
"In the name of God Amen.I Benjamin Douglas, Senior, of the county of Botetourt and Commonwealth of Va., being of sound mind and memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do make and ordain ths last will and testment in manner and form following, viz:
It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid as soon as my executors can make it convenient to do so, to wit:
I give and bequieth unto my beloved wife ,Charity Douglas, the use of the plantation whereonwe now live during her natural life, also the use of the following slaves, viz: James, Winney, Agnes, Fanny, and Nelson, also two good feather beds and furniture, two choice horse beasts, all my kitchen furniture and farming utensils and one third part of my cattle, hogs and sheep during her natural life.
Secondly I give unto my son, James Douglas two hundred and twenty eight pounds which he has already received in three likely negros and other property.
Thirdly, I give unto my son, John Douglas 228 pounds, of which he has received 206 pounds in two negros, specie and other property.
Fourthly, I give unto my son WilliamDouglas 228 pounds of which he has received 228 pounds in three negros and other property.
Fifthly, I give unto my son Francis Douglas 228 pounds of which he has received 110 pounds in a negro and other property.
Sixthly, I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Saint Clair, 228 pounds of which she has received 148 pounds in one negro, specie and other property.
Seventhly, I give unto my daughter Behethelon Morrison, 228 pounds of which she has received 210 pounds in two negros, specie and other property.
Eightly, I give unto my son Benjamin T. Douglas, 228 pounds which he has received already in one negro, specie and other property.
Ninethly, I give unto my son Gilson Douglas two hundred and twenty pounds of which he has received 210 pounds in two negros and other property.
Tenthly, I give unto my daughter, Mary Anderson 228 pounds which she has received already in two negros and other property.
It is my will and desire that as soon after my death as may be convenient, that my excutors do sell at public sale at 6 month credit, the residue of my estate that is not bequiethed and the money arising from such sale to be equally divided amongst all my children agreeable to what appears to be due them from my estate by my excutord and further, it is my will and desire that after the death of my wife, that the lands and slaves, with their increase, the stock of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, bonds, household furniture and farming utensils devised for her use, be sold by my executors on a credit of 6 months and the legatees fully paid up, if there is a sufficiency and the balance, if any. be equally divided between my children above mentioned, and it isfurther my will and desire that in case of any of my children dieing without lawful issue of their body, that whatever iI have given, do return to the rest of my children, and be equally divided between them or their or their representatives, and I do hereby constituteand appoint my beloved wife, Charity Douglas, and my trusty friend John Pitzer, Jr. and Wm. Douglas executors of this my last will and testament.I do hereby revoke and disannul all other former wills or testaments by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 1st day of Jan., one thousand eight hundred and sixteen (1816)
Benjamin Douglas, Senr. (Seal)"
Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Benjamin Douglas, Senr. in prescense of us.
John J. Otto
Jacob Karnes
Wm. Haynes
Henry Boggess
At Botetourt June Court 1816.
This last will and testament of Benjamin Douglas Sr., deceased was exhibited in court and proven by the oaths of Wm. Haynes and Jacob Karnes, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and thereupon ordered to be recorded, and on motion of Wm. Douglas and John Pitzner un. the executors therein named, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, they have first made an oath and with security entered into and acknowledged bond in the penality of $8, 000.00 with condition as the law directs.
H. Bowyer, C.B.C.
Original on file at the Botetourt County Virginia Court House, Will Book C, p-55