1821 - Close to Mary - Rockbridge Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Location
Date
08/06/1821
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
2
Text of Freedom Document
I Elisabeth Close of Lexington Virginia do make & constitute this my last will & testament.
First I direct that my funeral charges & all my just debts (if any) shall be paid.
Second I direct that my Executor sell all my personal estate & to pay the interest of it & what debts due me that can be collected to my sister Margret Ruley annually during her lifetime also the rent of my real estate.
Third I direct that the death of my said sister my Executor shall sell my real estate for the best price that can be obtained either at public or private sale & the proceeds of the sale & all other money to be distributed in the following manner to wit to my niece Betsey Scott one fourth part. To my nephew John B Ruley one fourth part to may niece Matilda Ruley, one fourth to the children of my nephew Jacob Ruley the remaining fourth part or so many of them as shall arrive at the age of eighteen years, each their equal share, but the interest to be paid for their support annually if my said sister should die before they arrive at the above age, but they are to receive no share of either principle or interest during, the lifetime of my said Sister Margret Ruley, provided my said Sister Margret wishes it my Executor is authorized to sell my real estate during her life time & the interest to be paid to her so long as she lives & at her death the principle to be divided as herein before directed.
I will the my negro girl Mary & her child be liberated at my decease if it can be done agreeable to the laws of this State.
& Lastly I constitute Wm Willson of Lexington the Executor of this my last will & Testament. Witness my hand & seal this 18th day of June 1821 one.
Elisabeth Close (seal)
Acknowledged in the presence of us
Robt McDowell
Charles Warner
James Fr Steele
At Rockbridge County Court August 6th 1821
A writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Elizabeth Close deceased was produced in court proved by the oaths of Robert McDowell was proved by the oaths of Robert McDowell, Charles Warner, and James Fr Steele the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
And on the motion of William Willson the executor therein named who made who made oath according to law and together with John T McKee and James Willson his securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of five thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining probate thereof in due form.
Teste
First I direct that my funeral charges & all my just debts (if any) shall be paid.
Second I direct that my Executor sell all my personal estate & to pay the interest of it & what debts due me that can be collected to my sister Margret Ruley annually during her lifetime also the rent of my real estate.
Third I direct that the death of my said sister my Executor shall sell my real estate for the best price that can be obtained either at public or private sale & the proceeds of the sale & all other money to be distributed in the following manner to wit to my niece Betsey Scott one fourth part. To my nephew John B Ruley one fourth part to may niece Matilda Ruley, one fourth to the children of my nephew Jacob Ruley the remaining fourth part or so many of them as shall arrive at the age of eighteen years, each their equal share, but the interest to be paid for their support annually if my said sister should die before they arrive at the above age, but they are to receive no share of either principle or interest during, the lifetime of my said Sister Margret Ruley, provided my said Sister Margret wishes it my Executor is authorized to sell my real estate during her life time & the interest to be paid to her so long as she lives & at her death the principle to be divided as herein before directed.
I will the my negro girl Mary & her child be liberated at my decease if it can be done agreeable to the laws of this State.
& Lastly I constitute Wm Willson of Lexington the Executor of this my last will & Testament. Witness my hand & seal this 18th day of June 1821 one.
Elisabeth Close (seal)
Acknowledged in the presence of us
Robt McDowell
Charles Warner
James Fr Steele
At Rockbridge County Court August 6th 1821
A writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Elizabeth Close deceased was produced in court proved by the oaths of Robert McDowell was proved by the oaths of Robert McDowell, Charles Warner, and James Fr Steele the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
And on the motion of William Willson the executor therein named who made who made oath according to law and together with John T McKee and James Willson his securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of five thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining probate thereof in due form.
Teste
Record Location
Will Book 5:132
Document Type
LW&T
Files
Collection
Citation
“1821 - Close to Mary - Rockbridge Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed January 17, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/1252.