I Joseph Chapman of the County of Russell State of Virginia do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other former wills make by me at any time.
1st. My will and desire is that all my just debts and funeral expenses of myself and my wife Rierdee be first paid out of my estate by my executor hereinafter named.
2nd. My will and desire is that my son Carmal Chapman have all my lands and personal property of every description whatever except my household and kitchen furniture, but my son Carmal is not to have possession of my said lands and personal property above named until after my wife Riertee's death in case she should survive me.
3rd. My will and desire is that after the death of my said wife that then all my household and kitchen furniture be equally divided between my son Carmal and my daughter L.V. Chapman.
4th. My will and desire is that my son Carmal at the end of twelve months after the death of myself and said wife pay to my other children and heirs Viz Orlena Blessing, William Harvey Chapman, Riertee Phelps, Jaison Chapman, Manerva Chapman, Joseph Chapman, John Chapman, Melvina Horn, L.V. Chapman, each twenty five dollars and to the children of Theophilis Chapman twenty five dollars altogether and the children of Isreal Chapman twenty five dollars altogether, also payable in twelve months after the death of myself and my said wife.
5th. And lastly I constitute and appoint Carmal Chapman Executor of this my last will and testament. Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of August 1870.
Joseph Chapman x his mark
Signed sealed and acknowledged in our presence and in the presence of each other by said Joseph Chapman & we witnessed the same at his request.
Thos. C.M. Alderson
G.C. Bruce
J.C. Gent
At a Court begun and held for Russell County at the Courthouse on the 3rd day of November 1875. The last will and testament of Joseph Chapman was this day produced in court and proven by the oath of T.C.M. Alderson, G.C. Bruce and J.C. Gent the three subscribing witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Carmal Chapman the Executor therein named who took oath of an Executor prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the sum of $400.00 together with R.S. Shomaker as his securities thereto conditioned as the law directs, a certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of said will in due form.
Teste: I.C. Gent CLK