Washington Co., Virginia, Deed Book B: 262
Will of John Davis, dated 27 Feb. 1809; recorded 5 Oct. 1810
Transcribed by D. Powell from a photocopy obtained at the Washington Co. courthouse
paragraphs added for ease of reading


I John Davis of the County of Washington in the state of Virginia being of sound mind do make this my last Will and Testament in the following manner - I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary the plantation whereon I now live during her natural life or widowhood, except such part thereof as is to be possessed by my son John Davis hereinafter mentioned. I also give and bequeath to my said wife all my household furniture which she is to have without appraisement or sale, and to be at her disposal as she pleases. I also give and bequeath to my said wife all my slaves during her life or widowhood except two to wit, Jack which I give and bequeath to my daughter Betsy, and Abram which I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy, to whom I also give each a bed and furniture, two cows each, and to each of them a good horse and saddle.

I give and bequeath to my son James Davis a tract of land of three hundred and fifty acres lying on the waters of Elk River in the state of Tennessee, for the title of which I hold a bond on a certain John Wilson, but should my said son James fail in obtaining a good title for the same or its value in cash, I then give and bequeath to him one half of the plantation whereon I now live which he is to have after the death of my present wife, or on the termination of her widowhood.

I give and bequeath to my son John Davis the occupation of all the land which he shall clear on the plantation whereon I now live according to a boundary shown in the presence of my son James, which boundary will include only about three acres of meadow next the spring and about the same quantity of cleared land. And at the death of my present wife or after her marriage I give and bequeath to my son John Davis the whole of the plantation whereon I now live, if my son James should obtain the land or its value herein devised to him, but if he should not then I give to him one half of the said plantation and to my son John that other half, and whatever may arise from the said land shall be equally divided between my said sons James and John.

After the death or marriage of my present wife, all my slaves not devised, together with my personal estate then remaining on hand, not at the disposal of my wife, shall be sold at public sale by my executors on twelve months credit and the proceeds thereof shall be equally divided among my sons - in - law William Snoddy, Thomas Snoddy, Wm Gray and John Moffett and my sons Nathaniel and Robert Davis.

I appoint my beloved wife Mary executrix and my friends John Campbell and Andrew Russell executors of this my last Will and Testament declaring this and this only my last Will and Testament. Witness my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and nine.

Signed and published by the testator in his presence and at his request

Alex’r Hamilton                              John Davis
John McCormick

At a Circuit Court held for Washington County the 1st day of October 1810 The last Will and Testament of John Davis deceased was exhibited in Court and proved by the oath of Alexander Hamilton and John McCormick the subscribing Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. At a Circuit Court held for the said County the 5th day of October 1810 - On the motion of Andrew Russell I one of the executors named in the last Will and Testament of John Davis deceased, who made oath thereto according to law and together with Robert Davis his security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the sum of four thousand Dollars with condition as the law directs. A Certificate for the probate of the said Will is therefore granted to the said Andrew Russell in due form.

Test

Andrew Russell