Will of William Draper 1854 Henry Co., VA
This was rec'd from a researcher we hired in Henry Co., VA. Handwriting is terribly small and unclear so some words were not transcribed.
We are researching the Bird/Thornton lines in VA and TN.
Glad to share information. - Donna
Will of William Draper
In the name of God Amen, I William Draper of the County of Henry and the State of Virginia of sound mind and disposing memory feeling that immortality is har? on when I must resign my mortal part to the tomb and my spirit to the God who give it. I do therefore hereby make this my last Will and testament in manner and form following. Viz
1st I commit my spirit to Almighty God and my body to the tomb
2nd I desire that all of my just debts if any be paid and that my funeral expenses be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of my perishable property.
2. I give and bequest unto my beloved wife Lucy Draper four choice negoes and such portions of my perishable estate as she may need this is my stock plantation tools household and kitchen furniture all moneys and lands which I may dec. possessed also my lands and tennaments to have and to hold during her natural life if she should marry I desire she should only have a third part of my estate during her life and the remainder to be equally divided between the lawful heirs of my body either by lot or sale and it is my desire that none of my children should be required to pay rents for thelands but to have the use of their present homes unmolested.I further desire that all my slaves together with their increase after complying with the above provisions of four choice negrows to my wife shall be equally divided between my five living children and the body heirs of my daughter Betsy Stone decd by lot or sale and in the final distribution of all my estate to my bodily heirs I desire that my children living on my lands shall the priviledge of holding these homes and improvements at valuation and after the death of my wife I desire that my lands and negrows be equally divided by executors hereafter named between the aforesaid heirs of my body all my perishable estate to be sold and an equal division as aforesaid and after complying with the provisions.
1st I finally give and bequest unto my oldest son Thomas I Draper and one six part of my estate as above describes
2 I give and bequest unto the lawful heirs of the body of my first daughter Elizabeth Stone decd one sixth part of my estate.
3 I give and bequest unto Ruth Dyer and her bodily heirs one sixth part of my estate.
4th I give and bequest unto my third daughter Frances Bird and her bodily heirs one sixth part of my estate.
5th I give and bequest to my second son John G. Draper and his bodily heirs one sixth part of my estate and that the same be under the supervision of my son Elkanah B. Draper for the purpose of securing the benefit to him and his heirs as above named.
6th I give and bequeath unto my youngest son Elkanah B. Draper one sixth part of my estate.And lastly I do hereby ? and appoint my beloved sons Thomas I. Draper and Elkanah B. Draper Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other former wills and testaments by me? made in witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 23rd day of? AD 1854,
Signed William Draper – Seal
Signed sealed ? and delivered as witness the last Will & testament of the above named William Draper in present to us
E. B. Tuner
George W. Napier
Moses C.? Napier
Ref: Will Book 6, pg 686, Henry Co., VA
NOTE:Photocopy in file - DE