Madison County Virginia

Will of James Ward
Contributed by Anita Schultz-Peters
Will of James Ward
Madison County, Virginia

In the name of God Amen.
I, James Ward of the County of Madison, being sick and weak in body, but of
Perfect and sound mind and memory, calling to mine the mortality of the body and
Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to died; do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (Viz.) In the first place, I recommend my soul to the hands of Almighty God who gave it to me, trusting in the merits of a crucified Redeemer, to raise me from the death of sin, to the life of Righteousness and my body to the ground to be buried in a Christian like manner.
And as to such worldly goods as it hath pleased God to bless me with I do give and dispose of them in manner and form following.
Item. My will and desire is that my waggon and bellows be sold and the purchase money
Together with all debts due or that may become due to me be appointed and applied
to the payment of my just debts, and if the monies as aforsd. Should not be sufficient to
Discharge the whole of my debts, my desire is that such other part of my personal Estate (as my wife may think proper to spare and part with) be sold for the purpose of exonerating and discharging the balance of my debts then unpaid.
Item, I lend unto Nancy Ward my beloved wife, part of the tract of land whereon I now live including the dwelling house, and extending five poles down the river below the field, a line to be made from thence straight to the back line of the tract. Together with all the tract of land which I purchased of John Barbee, lying on the North side of Hughses river also four Negroes, namely Lucy a woman, Jack, a boy, Ciely a girl and Lewis a boy. Also my still and household & kitchen furniture, together with my stocks of Horses, Cattle, Hogs & Sheep for and during her natural life, and at her decease to Peggy Berrey (late Peggy Ward) her heirs and assigns forever to hold the same in fee simple.
Item. I give and bequeath unto Peggy Berrey, late Peggy Ward (my daughter) the lower part of my land Beginning five poles below the field and thence extending to the end of the tract adjoining to William Weakley's line together with one Negro boy named Frank, to her, her heirs and assigns forever.
Item - I appoint Nancy Ward, my beloved wife, Executor to this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke and disavow all former will or wills heretofore made, and declare this my last will and testament this 10th day April 1819.

Teste
Benjamin Sillard James Ward
Sally Nicholson

At a Court held for Madison County the 17th day of Jane 1819
This Last Will and testament of James Ward deceased was produced into Court and proved by the oaths of Benjamin Sillard and Sally Nicholson witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste
Benjamin Cave
At a Court held for Madison County the 15th day of July 1819
On the motion of Nancy Ward Executive named in the last Will and testament of James Ward deceased, certificate of probate thereof is granted her in due form whereupon she qualified and entered into bond with security according to Law.
Teste
Benjamin Cave

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