Re: Mary Reeder/Reader 1807 - 1859 (WVA)
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In reply to:
Mary Reeder/Reader 1807 - 1859 (WVA)
Kathleen Costilow 7/03/11
Not sure why all his children and/or grandchildren were not listed in his will????He seems to have left everything primarily to the Pattons.
On November 3, 1841, Benjamin Reeder made out his will in his own hand, adding codicils on April 24 and Sept 14, 1842.This will was written by a man around 85.
Will of Benjamin Franklin Reeder
Being very feeble but of sound good health, I make the following disposition of my worldly affairs.I give to my grandchildren, Mary Seymore Patton, Sophia Patton, Nancy Patton, Benjamin R. Patton and Elisha Patton (having given George R. Patton two tracts of land, )one in Randolph and in in Harrison County which he sold) all my household furniture, plantation utensils and stock of every ind, and negroes Cintha, Joseph and James.The land in Randolph which Thomas S. Reeder has in trust for said children I desire may be sold to Henry Watson to pay one hundred and eighty dollars I owe him.I also desire that the waggon and as many horses as can be spared may be sold to pay one hundred and fifty dollars I owe Judge Duncan.I am endorsee with Wm. A. Samy and Thomas S. Reeder for George R. Patton for three hundred dollars in the Morgantown Bank, those endorsers have notes on Samuel Walker for about one hundred and ninety dollars and timber on the bank of the river to cover the note, but if the note is not covered, I desire my executor to pay his portion of the balance.I also desire if it shall be deemed best that the saw mill and the land attached on the Laurel Run should be sold to pay Judge E. S. Duncan, or that B. R. Patton may hire him the negro boy James to pay the same, and if upon the tryal Mr. Duncan and the boy should both be satisfied the boy may be sold to him.
If the arrangment can be made I desire B. R. Patton to assume my just debts for store or tradesmen's accounts and save the trouble of an administrator, by selling any of the property above mentioned to be sold.
I further desire that Mary Seymore Patton shall have the house I built on the land of the Laurel Run during her life with fifteen or twenty acres of land as she may chuse and the negro boy Joseph.
Commending my soul to the great and good Being who gave it, I appoint my grandson B. R. Patton to see my wishes and will here expressed executed, taking advice from his uncles Thomas E. Reeder and Henry Watson.I earnestly pray that harmony and concord may subsist with my children and grandchildren.This can be best attained by being attentive to home and kind and courtious to all persons and having little to do with any person's business but their own.I desire to be buried in the most plain unostentatious manner in a plain poplar coffin.
In testimony I have hereunto set my hand and seal the third day of November 1841.
B. Reeder (seal)
1st Codicil.Very infirm from recent injury and desirous that my worldly affairs should be settled without delay, if I do not recover to attend to that matter myself, I desire that the black boy James may choose a master and be sold.Judge Duncan would like to own him, and I think would make a good master.Therefore B. R. Patton with advice by my wishes here expressed will be governed accordingly, and likewise sell the wagon and horses, keeping only two horses and also the saw mill, if any like its value can be had, and lay out any surplus money in making meadow and improving land and take my last advise, be kind to all, intimate with few, keep little company, and look well to business at home, and again I implore this my last injuction may not only be never forgotten by those I leave, but strictly observed and you will soon find the benefit.
B. Reeder, 24th April 1842
2nd Codicil.Upon mature deliveration and reflection I believe it would be best that Benjamin R. Patton should have the entire control of the house I have built on their land, and all my other property for the joint benefit of himself and sisters that he should protect them and give them all reasonable support, that shares of the land should be purchased by one from another as they or can agree, or divided in an equitable manner among them or by mutual consent sold and an equitable distribution made and such is to be takan and considered my will.
B. Reeder, 24th Sept. 1842
Harris County Court, February 21st, 1843
A writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Benjamin Reeder was produced in court and offered for probate, there being no subscribing witnesses thereto.Edwin S. Duncan and William A. Harrison were sworn and severally deposed that they are well acquainted with the testator's hand writing and verily believe that the hand writing and the two codicils thereon endorsed and the names thereto subscribed to be wrolly writen by the testator's own hand.Whereupon the said will and codicils are ordered to be recorded as the true and last will and testament of the said Benjamin Reeder.