In the name of God, Amen, I John Stinson of Russell County and State of Virginia, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, calling into mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say; principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hand of almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth, to be buried in a decent Christian manner nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the almighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form: First I give and bequeath to Racheal my dearly beloved wife all of my estate both real and personal to be intierly at her disposal during her natural life or widowhood, but if she should hereafter marry again I desire that two thirds of my estate both real and personal be placed in the hands of some other suitable person for the safe keeping to be equally divided between my children but none of my lands to be sold, and at her death her third also to be divided equally betwixt my surviving children. I also desire that as my children comes of age to do for themselves that my wife or whoever has the disposal of my estate shall give them something of my estate to start on; and that a book of record be kept of these several gifts, in order that an equal divide be made among all. I do hereby acknowledge this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set me hand & seal this 27th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
John Stinson Senr. (Seal)
Signed, seal and delivered in presents of us
Isaac Fuller
his
Stephen S Fuller
mark
At a court held for Russell County at the courthouse on Tuesday the 2’d day of September 1851.
Teste,
James P. Carrell C.R.C.