Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 5: 184-185
Will of William Stewart
Dated 17 Mar. 1823; recorded 21 Dec. 1824
Transcribed by Bob and Donna Jean Ford

I William STEWART of Washington County in the State of Virginia do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following towit I will that my body after death be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors, that out of the worldly estate with which it hat pleased God to bless me, my lawful debts and funeral charges be first paid and next the following legacies -

- To my wife Mary my plantation together with all my household and kitchen furniture all my stock of cattle, sheep, hogs, and all my books except such as is hereafter devised by her to be enjoyed during her life, and after her decease to be equally divided between my daughter Elizabeth my sons Arthur and Joseph.

- To my daughter Elizabeth my gray mare, a bureau, two beds of furniture, loom and tacking and two hundred dollars to be paid her after the decease of my wife out of the first money arising from the proceeds of the sale of my land.

- To my Son Arthur my gray horse and gray filley and the new rifle gun six new windsor chairs.

- To my son Joseph my iron gray mare and the spotted colt and the old rifle gun. All my farming utensils and mechanical tools I will to my sons Arthur and Joseph to be equally divided between them.

- To Catharine EVANS children forty dollars each and to be placed in the hands of a guardian by my executors out of the last money arising from my estate, to be paid by the guardian to them as they arrive to age of eighteen years.

- I direct that my executors sell my land in twelve months after the decease of my wife in the following manner one third in hand and one third in twelve months and the balance to be paid in two year, and out of the first money arising therefrom I allow my sons Arthur and Joseph to have each of them two hundred dollars

- To my son William - I allow him to enjoy the part of my plantation that he has now in possession during the life of his mother free from rent, but if he should choose to leave the aforesaid premises then my wife is to have all the profits arising therefrom.

Lastly I will that the remainder of the price of my land be equally divided amongst my children viz James STEWART, Robert STEWART, Elizabeth STEWART, Martha FORD, Mary HUZZY, Margaret JOHNSTON, Jane RYBURN, Wm STEWART, Arthur STEWART and Joseph STEWART.

I do hereby constitute my sons Arthur and Joseph STEWART Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby disannulling and making void all former wills by me made ratifying, confirming publishing and declaring this my last Will and Testament this 17th day of March 1823.

In Witness whereof I have here unto affixed my seal and subscribed my name the day and date aforesaid.

William STEWART SS

In the presence of
The word Executors underlined before signed
Jas. ORR,
James REID,
Arthur REID

At a Court held for Washington County the 21st Day of December, 1824 The last Will and Testament of William STEWART deceased was exhibited in court and proved by the oath of James ORR, James REID, and Arthur REID the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. An on the motion of Arthur STEWART and Joseph STEWART the Executors therein named who took the oath of an executor prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged their bond in the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars with Arthur REID and Patrick RYBURN their securities conditioned as the law directs. A certificate is therefore granted them for the probate of the said Will in due form

Teste
Jacob Lynch, DC