1849 - Deaton to Maria, et al - Roanoke Co, VA

1849 - Deaton to Maria, et al - Roanoke Co, VA

1849

10

In the name of God Amen: I Frances Deaton of the County of Roanoke & State of Virginia being of sound mind & disposing memory do make this my last will & testament. First, I recommend my soul to God who gave it trusting to a glorious immortality through the merits and righteousness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; Second, I desire after my decease that I be buried in a decent and Christian manner, and as regards my slaves to wit: Maria, Patience, Amelia, William, Henry Blanch, Priscilla, Harriett, Peggy, James, Mary, and their future increase they are to remain in the possession of my husband Jn Deaton during his natural life time and for his benefit & use, they my slaves are to be hired out for a term of years until their hire shall pay a debt due the estate of Jn Foster deceased, amounting to five hundred dollars more or less after the payment of the aforesaid $500 due the estate of Jno Foster dec’d they my slaves are to be hired out for a term of years to raise the sum of six hundred & fifty dollars which sum I will and devise as follows to wit: I give & bequeath Francis A Deaton, Hardyman Deaton, Polly Goodwin, Hester Day, Eliza Horn & Sally Temple and their heirs forever the sum of one hundred dollars each to be raised as aforesaid by the hire of my slaves as aforementioned; I give and bequeath to my sister Sophia Hubbard the sum of fifty dollars to her & her heirs forever; it is my will and desire after the payment of the above named debt of $500, and the legacies aforesaid of $650, shall have been fully paid off and liquidated from the hire of my slaves they are to have the privilege of removing to a free state and settling there and in the event of their accepting their freedom, they are to be hired and long enough to raise funds to transport them to a free state and give them some meant to make a beginning on and in the event of their declining to accept their freedom & remove to a free state. I will and direct that they my slaves may be permitted by my Exors hereafter named to select their own master or mistress and the funds arising from such sale or sales, I will and bequeath to Frances A Deaton to him and his heirs forever, with the exception of fifty dollars which he is to pay over to the American Boards of Foreign Missions as a donation from me to that cause; Lastly I constitute & appoint my stepson Frances A Deaton, Executor of this my last will and testaments by my heretofore made; In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 7th day of December in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & forty eight.
Signed, sealed & acknowledged Frances Deaton (seal)
in the presence of (The words life time
On the first interlined before signing)
M. Pitger
Wm T. Snider

At Roanoke February Court 1849: This last will & testament of Frances Deaton dec’d was this day produced in court, and proved in part by the oath of William T. Snyder, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, and continued for further proof, by Madison Pitger, the other subscribing witness, and at Roanoke Court 1849. This last will & testament of Frances Deaton dec’d was first proved by the oath of Madison Pitger the other subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste, F. Johnston

At Roanoke April Court 1849. On motion of Frances A Deaton the Executor named in the last will & testament of Frances Deaton dec’d which was admitted to record at the last term, who proved oath thereto, and together with John W Day his security entered into was acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $3000 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.

Teste, F. Johnston

WB 1:49

Last Will &Testament

County records need to be searched to see if slaves paid off the said debt and chose to move to free state, or chose new masters and remained enslaved