Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 15: 247-50
Will of William G. Clark
Dated 30 June 1861; codicil dated 4 Jul 1861; probated 26 Aug 1861
Transcribed June 2001 by D. Powell from FHL mf #34361 [paragraphs added for ease of reading]
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I William G. Clark of the county of Washington State of Virginia being of sound mind, memory and understanding do hereby declare this my last Will and Testament as follows.
I give and bequeath to my Sister Mary Clark during during [sic] her natural life my farm known as the Home Place. Also the Hogue Place, and the Double Cabin place, with all the farming utencils [sic], the blacksmith shop and tools, the Still house and stills and all the appurtenances, my wagons, gearing and harness augers grain crops etc.
I also give and bequeath to her during her natural life all of my Negroes and portion of Negroes now owned by her and myself jointly. But if they do not conduct themselves properly, she may either hire or sell them as she chooses and keep the proceeds for self. I also give and bequeath to her ten cows of her own choice and all of my sheep and hogs not hereafter disposed of. I also give and bequeath to her six horses of her own choice. Also a riding mare of her choice and a young bay mare (sired by the Be_og [?] horse)
I also give and bequeath to her during her natural life my books Bureau cupboard Secretary, pots, ovens, books etc. that is to say my portion of the household & kitchen furniture embracing Table beds etc. and all the barrels & kegs at her death they are to be given to my nephews James and
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Peter J. and Thomas Hope, Sons of James W. Hope.
I give and bequeath to my nephew Benjamin Glenn his heirs or assigns forever, the farm Known as the Callison farm but if at my death I should owe any of the amount which I gave said farm he is to pay it. if nothing should be to pay for the farm then he must pay to each of his Sisters living one hundred dollars.
I give and bequeath to my nephew Robert Clark my portion of the farm upon which James Alpheus Clark now rents Known as the Sutton farm but he is to pay the taxes upon it and also pay the amount for which it is now rented annually to my (William G. Clark) Sister Mary Clark, during her natural and at her death he must pay to my nephew William T. Clark two hundred dollars ($200) If he should die before he becomes of lawful age the land is to be sold either at private or Public Sale and the proceeds to be equally divided between his brothers and sisters – James Alpheus, William T. Susan E. Mary E. and Sally Clark my mountain lands are to be disposed of for the purpose of paying my debts (The farms may be sold either at private or public sale as my executor may think the better plan. If after paying my debts there should be any money left it is to be divided equally between the children of James W. Hope James Glenn and my brother Robert Cark deceased.
I give and bequeath to my nephew James C. Hope two cows & calves, one Sow and pigs eight sheep and eight hogs and at the death of my sister Mary Clark my blacksmith tools one of my wagons and gearing my farming utensils and the stills.
The horses and cattle not disposed of in this my last Will and Testament are to be put in good order as soon as possible and sold either at private or public sale as my Executors my [sic] think proper and the proceeds of the Sales are to be given to my Sister Mary Clark and if any of the funds should be left at her death they are to be equally divided between the children of James W. Hope, James Glenn and my brother Robert Clark deceased.
At the death of my sister Mary Clark the three farms viz the House Place the Hogue place and the Double Cabin place, I give and bequeath to my three nephews James C, Peter J and Thomas Hope Sons of James W Hope. If either dies before he arrives at lawful age the others are to have the property.
If the Negroes are in the possession of my sister Mary Clark at her death I direct that my nephew James C. hope shall have one of his choice and my nephew William T Clark one of his choice, and the remainder of the Negroes or the proceed of their sale to be equally divided between the balance of the children of James W Hope my brother Robert Clark deceased and James Glenn (William G. Clark)
Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my friend Dr. William F. Barr Executor of this my last Will and Testament. In witness I the said William G. Clark have to this my last Will & Testament
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set my hand at the bottom of each page and my hand & seal at the close of this Will & Testament this the thirtieth day of June one thousand eight hundred and Sixty one.
William G. Clark
Signed published and declared by the said William G. Clark as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at the request of the said William G. Clark and in his presence and the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses the 30th June 1861.
Martin Hagy
John Ragsdale
Samuel A. McClelland
Codicil
Having omitted mentioning an important matter in my Will and Testament I William G. Clark do hereby add the following as a codicil to my last Will and Testament.
After my death my nephew James C. Hope is to live with and take good care of my sister Mary Clark whilst she is unmarried. If James C. Hope should die, my nephew Peter J Hope must live with her unless she is married. If Peter J Hope should die Thomas Hope my nephew must live with & protect my sister Mary Clark unless she is married whichever one of the above nephews lives with my sister Mary Clark is to protect and take good care of her and the farms and all other (William G. Clark) property beloning [sic] to the estate of her or myself.
I recommend that my Executor see that my wishes in every respect as declared in my last Will & Testament and this codicil be strictly carried out. In witness I the said William G. Clark have to this codicil to my last Will and Testament set my hand and Seal this the fourth day of July one thousand eight hundred and Sixty one
William G. Clark
Signed published and declared by the said William G. Clark as the codicil to his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who at the request of the said William G. Clark and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses this the 4th day of July one thousand eight hundred and Sixty one
Martin Hagy
John Ragsdale
At a Court held for Washington County the 26th day of August
1861
The last Will and Testament and Codicil thereto of William G. Clark deceased
[smudged]
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the Codicil thereto was proved by the oath of Martin Hagy one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and thereupon the said Will is admitted to record And on the motion of William F. Barr the Executor named in said Will who took the Oath of an executor prescribed [sic] by law and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of Twelve thousand dollars with Alexander Findley and Joseph G Layne his securities conditioned as the law directs A Certificate is therefore granted him for the probat [sic] of the said Will in due form [faded] is granted him to further prove the codicil to said Will.
Teste
John _ Kruger CC