Will of Samuel Bland

Will of Samuel Bland
submitted by Joe Patterson

This is the will of Samuel Bland of Mecklenburg County, VA. He was the ancestor of Williamson Bland and Rebecca Bland Carpenter who came to Wilson County around 1829. His descendents in Wilson County include the Bland, Patterson and Nettles families among others. This will was transcribed from a copy of the original which was furnished by Cynthia Samples a descendent of Rebecca Bland and William Carpenter. It is very difficult to read the old handwriting so I have done the best I can and left blanks where I just couldn't make out the words.

Pages 106 & 107, Mecklenburg County VA Will Book, 1820

In the name of God, Amen, I, Samuel Bland of Mecklenburg County do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.

Imprimis, It is my will and wish that all my just and lawful debts shall be paid, for which purpose I wish my last year crop consisting only of one half of the tobacco made by me shall be sold by my friend, John C Goode for the best price he can, with his own, and the proceeds applied to that use. I wish my three horses, my household and kitchen furniture except one bed and double furniture, and so much of the kitchen furniture as may be deemed necessary for the convenience of my wife, Elizabeth Bland, may he also sell and the proceeds applied to that purpose. I also wish that my negro man, Will, shall be taken by my friend John C Goode at the price of four hundred dollars to be paid in _____ monthly from the proving and recording of this my last will, and the _____ or purchase money also applied to the payment of my debts. I also wish that should I get anything either in land or otherwise from the United States as due to my deceased son, John Bland, who died in their service, that it shall be disposed of by my executor herein after appointed, for the best price they can, and the proceeds applied to that purpose. I also wish that whatever amount my be due me for my services the present year, to be computed at the rate of one hundred dollars p year, for the time I under service to the said John C Goode, also all other debts due me shall be applied to the same use and after discharging all of my just and lawful debts, should there remain any balance, I wish it disposed of in the manner herein after directed.

Item, It is my will and wish, that whatever balance may be found after the payment of my debts, shall be placed in the hands of my friend John C Goode or in such other persons as he may think proper from time to time for the sole and ____ use & support of my dear and loving wife Elizabeth Bland, and to be paid to her annually, in such sums as may be thought prudent and sufficient, by them, for her support taking into consideration the ___ of the sum, it has been please God to put in my power to leave to that purpose, and at her death should there remain anything it is my wish that she may dispose of it as she may think proper, to either of or among my three children Williamson Bland, Elizabeth Norvell, and Rebeckah Carpenter, just as she pleases.

Item, I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends, John C Goode and Dabney Farrar executors to this my last will & testament.

Signed and acknowledged this twenty second day of January, one thousand eight hundred and twenty, in the presence of

John C Goode Samuel Bland

Dabney Farrar

Charles L Jeffriey

At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 21st day of February 1820.

This last will and testament of Samuel Bland dec'd was exhibited in court and proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto subscribed, and ordered to be recorded, and John C Goode, and Dabney Farrar the executors therein named refused to take upon themselves the burden of the execution thereof, whereupon on motion of Christopher Hawkins who made oath according to law, and together with G___ G____, and Richard Apperson his securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of two thousand dollars ____as the law dictates, ____ _____ is granted him for obtain letters of ____ of the estate of the said Samuel Bland, dec. with his will aforesaid named in due form.

Teste

Edward L Tabb clk

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