Will of William Preece, 1791
Will of William Preece
"In the name of God, Amen. I William Preece of Russell Co., in the State of Virginia being a man of considerable age and calling to mind the Mortality of my body. Knowing that it is appointed for all men to die and being in perfect health and memory at this time thanks to Almighty God, for his mercies. I do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is
to say principally and first of all I recomend my soul in to the hands of God who gave it to me and my body to the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Mighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath in the following manner,
" Item 1. First of all my just debts to be paid out of my estate.
"Item 2. I give to my married children the sum of 20 shillings to be levied out of my estate.
"Item 3. I leave to my beloved wife Mary Preece a horse, saddle and Briddle bed and furniture and her wearing Clothes to be her personal Estate. Likewise to have her third of the profits arising from my estate during her life or widowhood, likewise two Cows and Calves.
"Item 4. I leave to my youngest son Richard Preece all my land and tenements and all the farming Eutenshols belonging to said lands, and all my Stock of horses and cattle that shall be left after paying my just debts and the legacies before left.
Furthermore, I do constitute and ordain my well beloved wife Mary Preece and Richard my beloved son to be my trusty Executors and Administrators to act as I shold do and to have the power in the same ? I would have myself and I do here by utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testament wills and legacies and Executors by me in any wise before mentioned named willed and bequeathed. Ratifying and Confirming this to and no other to be my last will and testament.
"Whereunto I have set my hand and seal this 15th day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety one.
William Preece (Seal)
"Signed, Sealed and Confirmed in the presence of us.
Sam'l Robinson
George McConnel
William Preece
"At a Court held for Russell County the 26th May 1801, this testament of writing was exhibited in Court as and for the last will and testament of William Preece, Dec'd and proven by the oath of Samuel Robinson and George McConnel witnesses there to and ordered to be recorded.
"And on motion of Richard Preece one of the executors there in named a certificate is granted him for Obtaining letters testamentory in due form, he having first made Oath and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the penal sum of five thousand dollars together with Thomas Hunt and Samuel Ewing his sureties as the law directs. There fore be took this prescribed by law.
Teste
Nathan Ellington, D.C.R.C.
A Copy Teste
Nathan Ellington, D.C.
The following is from Law Order Book 3, Page 130.
At a Court held for Russell County the 26th May 1801.
The last Will and Testament of William Preecs decd was exhibited in Court and proven by the oaths of Samuel Robinson and George MConnel witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and was also sworn to by Richard Preecs one of the Executors therein named, who took the oath of an Executor and together with Thomas Hunt and Samuel Ewing his securetiesentered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of five thousand Dollars conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of Testamentary in due form.