Frederick County Virginia

Elijah Littler - Will
Submitted By: Lynn Dever

Last Will and Testament of Elijah Littler

I Elijah Littler, of the county of Frederick and State of Virginia being weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following; That is to say, I give devise and bequeath all my estate both real and personal, of what kind soever it may be, unto my believed wife Peggy Littler, to posses and enjoy during her natural life, Subject to the following items; To wit, first it is my will that a just and true inventory maybe taken of all my personal property including my slaves immediately after my decease and that same to be entered upon record in the clerks office in due time. Secondly it is my will and desire that my children should be brought up, clothed and educated (by their Mother if she should live, or guardian if she should decease) out of my said estate if it should be sufficient after the discharge of my just debts. I desire that my sons Charles Littler and Samuel Littler, may be taught reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar and a competent knowledge of geography; also that my four daughters Maria, Eliza, Nancy and Rachel Ann Littler may likewise be sufficiently instructed in the above mentioned branches of education.

Item - it is my will that if either of my children should marry, or upon arriving at age should stand in need of or request assistance, that a reasonable proportion of property at valuation to be valued by two judicious disinterested persons maybe given them, which sum is to be considered as a part of their dividend of my estate.

Item - it is my will that immediately thence after the decease of my wife, the whole of my then remaining estate both real and personal (allowing a reasonable time to give public notice) may be sold at public auction, by the surviving Executor or Executors herein after mentioned, to the best advantage and the moneys arising from the same to be equally divided among my above named children, and if at such time any of the above mentioned children should not have arrived at age, their respective dividend of said estate to be put out at interest by my Executors, they taking good security for the same, until they arrive at age.

Lastly I appoint my beloved wife Peggy Littler, Francis Stribling and my son Charles Littler (when he arrives at the age of twentyone years) my Executrix and Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling all former wills by me made. In Witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the 28th day of April in the year of our Lord 1811.

Elijah Littler [Seal]

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presences of us.....

Thomas O: Williams
Henry Seivers
James Bruce

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