Will and Testament of Michael Ames
Original will {page 1} {page 2}
I Michael Ames of the County of Spotsylvania and State of Virginia being
of sound mind, memory and understanding, but considering the uncertainty
of this mortal life, do make this my last Will and testament, in manner
and form following ~
I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth the use and profits of my Estate,
both real and personal, for and during her natural life, or so long as
she remains my Widow, and in case she should think proper to marry, I
then give to her such portion of my Estate as the law allows ~
After the death of my wife I give and devise the whole of my Estate both
Real and personal of every denomination whatever to my nine children to
wit John Ames, Molly Taylor wife of John Taylor of Fredericksburg,
Patsey Douglas, wife of Richard Douglas of Kentucky, Samuel Ames of
Spotsylvania, Elizabeth Stevens, widow of Bowler Stevens deceased,
Benjamin Ames of St Louis in Missouri Territory, Margaret Magrath, wife
of Michael Magrath, Michael Ames and Drusilla Ames, to be equally
divided among my said Children, share and share a like; to them and
their heirs forever, and the share or portion which may fall to my said
Daughter Molly Taylor, I give to my said son John Ames to be held by
him, in trust for the sole use and benefit of my said Daughter Molly,
during her natural life, and then to the use and benefit of her
Children, share and share alike ~ And it is my wish and desire that my
said son John Ames, should manage my said daughter Molly's portion of my
Estate to the best advantage, for her use and benefit and from time to
time, pay to her such parts of the principal or profits thereof as he
may deem proper and necessary to promote her comfort
And in order to make an equal division of my Estate, I do order and
direct, that my Executors hereinafter named, shall after the death of my
Wife Elizabeth, sell and dispose of my Estate both Real & Personal on
such terms and conditions, and in such manner as to them may seem most
conducive to the interest of those concerned ~
I have heretofore given to my daughter Drusilla, one Negroe girl named
Ma[missing] which gift I hereby confirm exclusive of her par[t] or
portion of my Estate as aforesaid ~
And la[stly] I do hereby appoint my son John Ames, Benjamin A[mes] and
son in law Michael Magrath, Executors of th[is] my last will and
testament, hereby revoking all other wills heretofore made by me ~
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this third day of
May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight[een] hundred and twenty
three
/s/ Michael Ames [Seal]
Signed, Sealed and
Acknowledged as the
Last Will & Testament
Of Michael Ames in
Presence of us ~
/s/ Benjn. Parke
/s/ George Goolrick
/s/ John Goolrick
/s/ Hores Hselop [his mark]
/s/ R.G. Peacock
At a Court held for Spotsylvania County the 7th day of February 1825.
The last will and testament of Michael Ames deceased was proved by the
oath of Horace Heslop a witness thereto and is ordered to be recorded as
a will of personal estate.
Teste
R. L. Stevenson, C. C.
At a Court held for Spotsylvania County the 4th day of December 1826.
The last will and testament of Michael Ames deceased was fully proved by
the oath of John Goolrick another witness thereto and is ordered to be
recorded.
Teste
R. L. Stevenson, C. C.
Spotsylvania, March Court 1827
John Ames & Michael Magrath & Benjamin Ames the Executors named in the
last will & testament of Michael Ames deceased by their letter addressed
to the Court relinquished their right of executorship on the said Ames
estate.
Teste.
R. L. Stevenson, C. C.
Spotsylvania April Court 1827
The Executors named in the last will and testament of Michael Ames
deceased having renounced their right of Executorship and the said
Michael Ames having been dead more that three months and no person
having applied for administration on his estate on the motion of John
Ames it [is] ordered that the Estate of the said Michael Ames deceased
be committed to [the] hands of Robert Crutchfield Sheriff of this
[county] for administration with his will aforesaid annexed.
Teste
R. L. Stevenson, C. C.
Recorded liber M, folio 69
Citation :
Spotsylvania Original Will File
This will was transcribed for the USGenWeb Project by Barbara Bower on 9 January 1999. Any and all commercial use of this transcription is prohibited.
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