In the name of God Amen. I William James of the County of Russell and State of Virginia being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life, and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with - I give and bequeath the same in manner following, that is to say:
After all my just debts paid and funeral expenses be paid I give to my wife Ann James all my estate both real and personal, that is to say, my land, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, beds and household and kitchen furniture and farming tools, for & during the term of her natural life, and after her decease I give the same to my children herein after mentioned.
I give to the heirs of Thomas James deceas two dollars, and to them and their heirs forever.
To Samuel James and Merideth P. James my sons I give all my lands to be equally divided with the same Samuel and Merideth to them and their heirs forever.
I give to my daughter Nancy Anderson one bed & furniture to her and her heirs forever.
I give the remainder of my estate to my sons and daughters hearafter mentioned, that is, William James, James James, Elizabeth price, Winny Hobbs and Nancy Anderson, to be equally divided, to them and their heirs forever.
And lastly, I do hearby constitute and appoint my friends Thomas Dickenson and James Dixon executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other or former wills or Testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 22'd day of May in the year of our Lord 1819.
William James (Seal)
Signed, seal, published and declared as and for the last Will and Testament of the above named William James, in presence of us
Nathaniel Dixon
James Dickenson
Virginia
At a Court held for Russell County the 5th day of Feby. 1822
This instrument of writing was exhibited in court as and for the last Will and Testament of William James dec'd and proven by the oaths of Nathaniel Dixon and James Dickenson the witnesses thereto subscribed, and ordered to be recorded, and
At a court held for said County on the 5th day of March 1822
On the motion of Thomas Dickenson and James Dixon executors therein named who made oath, and together with James P. Carrell their security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $500 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted them for obtaining probat of the said will in due form
Teste
James P. Carrell D.C.