I John Wilson of the County of Russell and State of Virginia, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made, and first I direct that my body to be decently interred into the ground, and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life, and as to such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to entrust me with, I dispose of the same as followeth:
As to my land I have disposed of it heretofore by deed to my son Abner Wilson only retaining for myself & my wife Rhoda possession and the benefit of said land during our natural life and I do direct that if my well beloved wife shall survive after me and is living at the time of my decease that the aforesaid land that I have deeded to my son Abner from and after my decease and after the decease of my said wife that she my wife is to have the said land and the benefit of it during her natural life, and then the said deed to take affect and also I direct that all my household and kitchen furniture and a sorrel horse and two cows and all the geese etc. be and remain the absolute property of my beloved wife and I also direct that the balance of my property etc. that I may have at my decease is to be sold on such credit as may seem best and the first money that is collected from any portion of said sale is to be applied in settling all my debts if any and my funeral expenses and to effectuate this my intention. I do hereby vest in my well beloved wife full power and authority to make or cause to be made the aforesaid sale on such credit as she may think best and to settle all my debts & arrears as aforesaid, and if any debts due me to collect them, and to have the same legal authority to do it as I could myself if living and the remainder of the proceeds of said sale if any after satisfying the aforesaid debts etc. is to be and remain my well beloved wife’s to use the same as she may choose. But if my said wife should not be living at my decease I do direct that all my estate be appraised and sold and the amount thereof divided equally share & share amongst my several children and heirs agreeable to law. In witness whereof I John Wilson the testator have to this will written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this the (blank) day of (blank) 1848.
John X Wilson (Seal)
Signed sealed & deliver’d in the presents of us
Henry D. Aston
James Samples
At a court held for Russell County and the courthouse on Tuesday the 8th day of July 1851,
This instrument of writing was exhibited in court as and for the last will and testament of John Wilson dec’d and proven by the oath of Henry D. Aston one of the subscribing witnesses thereto.
And at a court of Quarterly session held for Russell County at the courthouse on Tuesday the 5th day of August 1851,
This instrument of writing was again presented in court and proven by the oath of James Samples the other subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded: and on the motion of Abner Wilson who made oath, and together with James Samples his security entered into and acknowledged and bond in the penalty of two hundred dollars conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of the said John Wilson dec’d with his will annexed in due form.
Teste,
James P. Carrell C.R.C.