Washington Co. Virginia Will Book 9, p. 122
Will of William Davis
Copied at the Washington County Courthouse, Abingdon, VA
In the name of God Amen - I William Davis of the county of Washington in the Sate of Virginia being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank god) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with; I give an bequeath the same in manner following viz;1st I desire that all the perishable part of my estate be
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immediately sold after my decease and out of the monies arising therefore all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid. I desire that my executor and executrix here after named shall be and is hereby directed to sell all my lands and tenements as soon after my decease as in their judgment an advantageous sale can be made and out of the monies arising therefrom pay and satisfy such of my just debts as __all as shall remain unpaid out of the sales of the perishable part of my estate -
2nd After the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give to my wife Sarah Davis one third part of my estate for and during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give the same to my children hereinafter mentioned to be enjoyed by them forever.
3rdly As I have heretofore given my three oldest daughters viz Mary J.B. Moffett, Eleanor H. McCoy and Ann Elizabeth Moffett Two hundred dollars and two beds and bed clothing each, I therefore desire that my two other daughters Margaret E. Davis and Sarah S. Davis shall each have two hundred dollars and two beds and bed clothing, and that my three sons namely John B. Davis, Matthew R. Davis and William B.E. Davis shall each have two hundred dollars, I further desire that my executor and executrix have have my three youngest children viz Mathew R., Wm B.E. and Sarah S. Davis reasonably educated or an equivalent therefor to be paid them out of my estate over and above what is heretofore devised to them - My will and desire is that after the foregoing bequests all the rest of my estate both real and personal of what nature or kind whatsoever it may be, not herein before practically dis disposed of shall be equally divided among all my several children viz Mary J.B. Moffett, Eleanor H. McCoy, Ann Elizabeth Moffett, John B. Davis, Margaret E. Davis, Matthew R. Davis, William B.E. Davis, and Sarah Davis, shall each have an equal part which I give to them and their heirs executors administrators and assigns forever.
And lastly I do hereby constitute my son John B. Davis executor and my wife Sarah Davis executrix of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made
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In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 16th day of April in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two
William Davis
Signed sealed published & declared by William Davis as an for his last Will and testament in the presence and haring of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses
Ota H. Ward
Henry Roberts
John B. Logan
At a Court held for Washington County the 27th day of June 1842
The last Will and Testament of William Davis deceased was exhibited in court and proved by the oath of Henry Roberts and John B. Logan two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded - And on the motion of John B. Davis the executor therein named who took the oath of an executor prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of six thousand dollars with Beattie Ryburn and James Clark as his securities conditioned as the law directs - A certificate is therefore granted him for theprobate of the said Will in due form.
Teste
R.H. Lynch D.C.