Last Will and Testament of Peter Dudley
Original will {page 1} {page 2} {page 3}
In the name of God, Amen
I Peter Dudley of the County of Spotsylvania, being of sound mind and
memory, do make the following disposition of my property, to wit~
First, I desire that all my just debts be paid.
2nd I give to my Grand Daughter Eliza Garnett one feather bed and
furniture of fourth choice, & fifty Dollars.
3rd I give to Nancy Gimber fifty Dollars.
4th I give to my son Peter Dudley a Negro woman called Betty, and her
increase, to him & his heirs forever.
5th I lend to my Daughter Judith T. Winston a Negro woman called Judith
& her daughter Nancy & their increase during her life ~ and at her death
I desire that they may be divided amongst her surviving children.
6th I give to my Grand Daughters Ann N. Johnston and Lucy D. Johnston a
Negro woman called Milly and her Daughter Mary and their increase to
them and their heirs ~ and should either of my said Grand Daughters die
before they come of age or marry it is my desire that the survivor
possess in like manner the said slaves ~ and should both my Grand
Daughters above named die before they come of age or marry ~ I desire
that the said property return to my estate and be subject to the final
division herein after provided for.
7th I lend to my beloved wife Catherine Dudley during her life the
whole of my estate real and personal of every kind and description
whatsoever except what I have before bequeathed above ~ and at the death
of my said Wife it is my will that it be all sold and the money equally
divided among all my Grandchildren then living ~ but in case any child
or children of my Daughter Elizabeth Garnett should be under age at the
time of such final division of my estate, I desire that my Executor or
Executors retain in his or their hands the portion of such minor or
minors until they come of age or marry ~ allowing them the interest of
their portion for their support.
Lastly, I nominate and appoint my Friends Thos. G. Thornton and James B.
Thornton Executors of this my last Will & Testament ~ fearing that my
Friends above named living out of the County may be exposed to an
inconvenience in giving security I hereby request that none may be
required ~ their individual Bonds being sufficient.
In testimony which I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal this 5th day
of April One thousand, eight hundred and Twenty seven.
/s/ Peter Dudley [Seal]
Acknowledged
In presence of
/s/ Addison M. Lewis
/s/ Walker Roy
/s/ Richard Hill
At a Court held for Spotsylvania county this 6th day of August 1827
The last will and testament of Peter Dudley deceased was proved by the
oaths of Addison M. Lewis Walker Roy and Richard Hill witnesses thereto
and is ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Thomas G. Thornton
one of the executors therein named who made oath thereto and entered
into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $6000 conditioned as the
law directs Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said
will in due form.
Teste
R. L. Stevenson, C. C.
Recorded liber M folio 97
Citation :
Spotsylvania Original Will File
This will was transcribed for the USGenWeb Project by Barbara Bower on 10 January 1999. Any and all commercial use of this transcription is prohibited.
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