Will of James Mays
Bedford County Will Book 2, Page 160
Inventory, Book 2, Page 179
In the name of God Amen this the fifteenth day
of December one Thousand seven hundred and ninety two. I James Mays of Bedford
County and Colony of Virginia and being very weak in body but of a Perfect Mind
and Memory and Knowing that it is appointed for all Men Once to dye, I do make
and ordain this my Last Will and Testament that is to say Principally I first
of all give and recommend my soul into the -- of God who gave it, as for my
Body I Recommend to the Earth from whence it came to be buried in a Christon
like manner at the Discretion of my Executors -- Nothing doubting but at the
General Resurrection I shall Receive the Same again by the Mighty Power of God.
As touching such wordley astate as wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me
with In this life, I give, devise and dispose of the Same in manner and form:
Fostering, that is to say, I do first of all by Will and Desire that all my
Just Debts be paid. I give to my son Samuel Mays the tract of Land that he now
lives on being two hundred and eighty five acres to him and his heirs forever
and no more of my estate. I. I give to my son James Mays the tract of land I
had of Davis being one hundred and fifteen acres and One horse and saddle, the
horse by the name of Dick, and my home house and land. I give to my son Joseph
Mays being One hundred and thirty akers, and my daughter Sinthey Wright I give
one shilling sterling and know more. And my daughter Frankey Mays I give one Feather
bed and furniture and one sorrell mare by the name of Pichter and one hunter
sadle and one shilling sterling and know more. And I give to my Daughter
Elizabeth Wright one shilling sterlen and know more. And my well beloved wife
Mary Mays my Will and Desire is that she should have her thirds of my Estate.
And the rest of my astate my Will and Desire is that it should be equally
divided between the rest of my children Namely Anne Mays James Mays Milley Mays
Joseph Mays and Mary Mays but my will and desire if that Joseph Mays and Mary
Mays should have two years schooling out of my estate before the Divishon of
the Same. And I do constitute Samuel Mays and Robert Nimmio my Executors of
this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand
and Seal this day and year first above Written Signed Sealed Published
pronounced by the Said James Mays as his last will and Testament. Signed James
Mays Jr.
Witness: John Mays, Elijah Mays, Richard Mays.
At
a court held for Bedford County the 22nd day of June 1795 This last
Will and Testament of James Mays, deceased was proved by the oath of John Mays,
Elijah Mays, and Richard Mays, Witnesses whose names are thereunto subscribed
and ordered to be recorded. And at a court held for said county the 28th
day of September following on the motion of Samuel Mays, One of the Executors
therein named who made oath thereto Certificate is granted him for obtaining
probate thereof in due form on giving security whereupon he together with
Thomas Stith and John Wright his securities entered into and acknowledged their
bond in the Penalty of two hundred pounds conditioned for the said Executors
due and faithful administration of the said Decedents Estate and performances
of this will,