In the name of GOD, Amen, I, Jacob Blessing senr. of Shenandoah County and State of Virginia,Yeoman am sick and in a low state of health but of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner following as touching such Worldly Estate as it has pleased God to Bless me with in this Life I give and bequeath Devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form - e - -

First it is my Will and that all my just debts shall be paid out of my Estate and the remainder of my Estate now in my possession whatever can be spared it is my Will that these shall be a piece of land bought and that my wife Elizabeth shall have full privilege thereto during her natural life as long as she continues in her Widowhood and to have the children who are under age untill they arrive to each their full age together with all remaining movables and then if so by my wife should die before all the children come to age they the said children shall be sufficiently bought up out of said Estate at the discretion of my Executors and none of them to be bound out without their consent and after the decease of my Wife if any Land so bought and all moveable Estate left shall be equally divided among my children together which some of them has already got all which shall be valued so that each shall have an equal share the names of my children are as follows, Jacob, Elizabeth, Barbara, Magdalene, Lewis, Christian, John, Henry, Catherine, Christeena, Abraham and If any of said children should die without Bodily heir then each of the remaining shall share equally all the same that is of such being left as belonging to such at their decease, and the said my sons Jacob and Lewis whom I likewise constitute make and ordain the sole Executors of this my Last Will & Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow and revoke all former Wills Testaments Wills Legacies and Executors ratifying this confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.

In WITNESS Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty fifth day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and ninety. – 1790 - -

At a Court continued and held for the County of Shanando on Friday the 30th day of April 1790. This last Will and Testament of Jacob Blessing deceased was exhibited into Court by Jacob and Lewis Blessing Executors therein named and proved by the oaths of Sebastian Stigiler George Weaver Simon and John Stigiler Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. On motion of the said Executors Jacob and Lewis Blessing in a probat thereof in due form is granted them they having sworn to the same and given bond and security according to law.

KNOW all men by these presents that we Jacob and Lewis Blessing Jacob Pennywit and – George Weaver are held and firmly bound unto Thomas Allen Jacob Rinker Jos.^a McKay and George Fravle Gentlemen Justices of the County Court of Shenandoah now sitting in the penal sum of One Thousand Pounds current money to be paid to the said Justices their heirs or successors to the payment Whereof We bind ourselves Our heirs Executors and Administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed with out Seals and dated this 30th day of April 1790.

The condition of the above obligation is such that if the said Jacob and Lewis Blessing Executors of the last Will and Testament of Jacob Blessing deceased do make a true and perfect Invetory of all the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said decreased which have or shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of the said Jacob and Lewis Blessing or into the Hands or possession of any other person or persons for them, and the same so made do Exhibit into the County Court of Shenandoah at such time as they shall be thereto required by the said Court and the same Goods Chattels and Credits do well and truly Administer according to Law; and make a just and true account of all their actings and doings therein when thereto required by the said Court and further do well and truly pay and deliver all the Legacies contained and specified in said Will as far as the said Goods Chattels and Credits will extend according to the value thereof and as the Law shall Charge. Then this obligation to be void else to remain in full force

Signed and sealed in presence of

Genealogical note: Jacob Blessing's daughter, Mary Magdalene, here referred to as Magdalene, married George Henry Lindamood. Many Shenandoah Countians, past, present and future, descend from this marriage.

Return to Shenandoah County GenWeb Project