Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 29: 131
Will of James Ritchie
Dated 7 Jan. 1905 with a codicil dated 1 Jun 1905; recorded 14 Jan. 1907
Abstracted from FHL mf #2025879 by Diana Powell www.ramblingroots.com
I James L. Ritchie of Washington County, Virginia
1. just debts be paid without reference to the statute of limitations
2. executor to erect monument at my grave at a cost of about the same erected to my wife and daughter Cassie’s grave which was $35 each; also executor to pay expenses of moving body of daughter Rhoda Ellen from old home place in Denton’s Valley to Glade Spring Baptist Cemetery; tombstone to come from Thompson’s marble yard at Abingdon
3. suitable tombstone monument at son J.H. Ritchie’s grave
4. executor to sell all personal property; dispose of all real estate
5. direct executor to pay debts from proceeds and then if anything left pay son John 2 sessions of school, “provided he becomes a settled, good, sober boy & has a desire, shown by his actions, to want an education; if he does not I object to paying out any dollar, save one, in his behalf”
6. the residue if any I give to my living children at the time: $1 each to all except Wm C. & David G. Ritchie, Florence Ryburn & Millie Davis; I want these last named to have the balance also an equal share to my daughter Maggie Ritchie that is left much or little share & share alike, also like amt to Minnie Carmack & John C. Ritchie, provided he becomes a sober boy or man
7. on account of uncalled for dissipation, profanity and an entire lack of parental respect for me I cut John C. & Ben C. down to $1 each
8. for impertinence and a lack of respect and affection on the part of the girls; that are limited to $1 is my reason for this difference; if Lucy Ritchie continues to stay with me & keep house for me till my death then I want her to have an equal share with 1st children named W.C, D.G., etc.
- see copy of Geo W. Bumgardners deed mineral right reserved; I bequeath an equal share to T.F. Ritchie with children named in clause 6 above
- Ben C. Ritchie $1; John C. Ritchie $1 unless he becomes sober and industrious
appt son D.G. Ritchie my executor; no security to be required on his bond and he is to be allowed a satisfactory amount for his trouble
10. circumstances having intervened & changes having been wrought since I made my will in August 1901 has caused me to change the wording and disposition of my effects in many respects; as other changes my take place during my life that may change my mind in some respects – if so it will be added hereto as a codicil
- I will file with the document an account against the parties named, which I deem as just and should be settled as stated in accts, which accts are justly due me.
1st against the heirs of Rosannah M. Ritchie
2nd against R.M. Ritchie estate for money I paid out for her on the 113 acres of Denton’s Valley land bought by her for which I have given credit in full for timber sold by me the full amt rec’d
3rd an acct against each Edgar and Cloyd Ritchie B. ___ John C. see acct rendered in full with credits and charges
7 Jan. 1905 J.P. Ritchie
Witnesses (not named)
I desire that Lucy Ritchie become an equal share with the ones named to share equally hereby disinheriting Ben C. Ritchie & Jenny Ritchie only except $1 named for reasons named; also John C. Ritchie unless he reforms as stated by the time the division is made; if he does he is to receive an equal share and as well as my personal effects such as my watch
Circuit Court for Washington County, 14 Jan. 1907
Will produced by D.G. Ritchie; signature proven and ordered to be recorded