Will of James Mays Sr. Botetourt Co.,Va-1842-Probate 1853WB 1Pg 38-39

In the Name of God Amen, I , James Mays Senr. of the County of Botetourt Va: being of sound mind & disposing memory do make & constitute this my solemn last will & testament.
1st To my son John R. Mays & to my son James Mays Jur I do devise all my tract of land on James River known as the old or lower place to be equally divided between them: in fee simple to them & their heirs forever: and to my son John R. Mays I will and bequeath my Negro Boy Arthur.
To my son James Mays Junr I give my Negro Boy Lewis to be held by him during his life & then to his son Walter S Mays.
To my son Thomas Mays I do will & bequeath my Negro Woman Milly, also my corner cupboard. To my Daughter Florence Ann Mays I will and bequeath my negro girl Amanda my cherry tree Bureau, a horse of the value if Sixty Dollars to be furnished out of the residue of my personal property not disposed of after my funeral expenses, and just debts are paid. Also  two cows and two calves, it is also  my will that she have the two beds & bedding which she now claims & which I consider as belonging to her!
To my Son Joseph R. Mays I will & bequeath my negro Woman Janer also my tea table and one half dozen Windser chairs.
To my Son Robert Mays I will and bequeath my Negro boy Samuel, my Negro girl Margaret also my clock & painted chest- but in case my beloved wife Mary should survive me it is my will that my property should be kept together, and that she shall have the sole use during her life of all my estate both real & personal.
If my son John R. Mays claim of my estate any back suits for the peice of land given him by his grandfather Reid, then it is my will that as much be taken from what I have given him.
My grandson John O Martin will be provided for out of lands of my wife Mary.
As to the residue of my estate personal, after my funeral expenses, just debts & the horse to my daughter Florence Ann, before mentioned are paid it is my will that the remainder be equally divided among between all my children.
Lastly, I do appoint my son John R. Mays & my son Joseph R. Mays to be excutors of this my last will and testament: In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ---- day of ---- in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two.
                 James Mays (seal)

Signed and Sealed in the presence of us & each other
Charles B. Penn
John McCluer
Ja S. Allen
At Botetourt July Court 1853
This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of James Mays dec'd was this day exhibited in Court & proved by the oath of James S. Allen a subscribing witness thereto, and it appearing to the Court that Charles B. Penn another subscribing witness thereto has also departed this life Wm J. Penn & Wm W, Boyd after being first duly sworn, testified that they were acquainted with the hand writing of said Charles B. Penn & believe his signature to said will to be genuine, and the said James S. Allen also testified that he was well acquainted with the hand writing of said Charles B. Penn that said Penn signed said Will as a witness in his presence & that he believed his signature to said will as a witness to be genuine & therefore said will is ordered to be recorded .
                                                                           A Copy
                                                                                 Teste
                                                                                    Jno W Woltz- DClBC