1821 - Anderson to Reuben - Hanover Co, VA

1821 - Anderson to Reuben - Hanover Co, VA

12/11/1821

1

I Alexander Anderson of Hanover County in my perfect senses, do make this my last will and testament in manner & form following that is to say.
1st I give to my illegitimate son Nelson Tyler the tract of land whereon his mother Elizabeth Tyler now resides but she is to have the privilege of living on the same during her natural life and to have the rents or profits thereof. It is the land I bought of Snead Browning and wife containing thirty one acres and a half also the following negroes George Amon Nelley a young woman and her two children Isaac and Harriet, with their future increase to him and his heirs forever.
He is not to have possession or any control over the aforesaid property until he arrives at the age of twenty three years. But it is my will and desire that my Executors hereafter named should apply the hire that may arise from the aforesaid negroes to the board schooling and clothing of my said illegitimate son Nelson and should that not be sufficient then in that case my Executors is directed to furnish whatever deficiency there may be for that purpose out of the residue of my estate should my said son die before he arrives to the age of twenty three then all the property before recited given him is to be divided amongst my grand children hereafter mentioned or their heirs, but it may be that he may get married before he arrives at the age of twenty three years and die and leave issue in that event it is my will and desire that that issue what is here bequeathed to him.
I direct also for my executor to furnish him with a good horse saddle and bridle out of my estate. 2ndly I give to my daughter Polly Meredith two large looking glasses, one corner cupboard and all its contents consisting of plate change.
3rd The balance of my estate, both real and personal except my boy Reuben, It is my will and desire may be sold by my Executor the time and manner of making the sale I leave his sound discretion until which sale he will keep it together and manage for the best interest of those concerned – after making the sale, I desire that the proceeds be laid out in bank stacks or public securities as may be thought best the amount of which sale as also all money due me.
I direct to be divided amongst the children of my daughter Polly Meredith, already born as that she may have hereafter born and my grand son Reuben Anderson Meredith the son of Hector Reuben Meredith, and my daughter Elizabeth Meredith dec’d – share and share to them and their heirs forever. But should either of my daughters Polly Merediths children or my grand son Reuben A. Meredith die before they marry or arrive at the age of twenty one years, there the share of the one so dying is to be divided amongst their survivors – the dividends or profit of the stock or public securities I wish to be applied to the education of those entitled under the bequest and should there be a surplus I direct that it be laid out in stock or public securities, my said grand children under this devise are to have their shares as they arrive of age or marry.
4thly It is my will and desire that my boy Reuben before named be bound out to a barber or some good trade until he arrives to the age of twenty one years, after which it is my desire that he may have his own time paying therefore during his life one dollar per year to my executor.
5th It is my wish and desire that my two old negroes be clothed and supported out of my estate. I mean Moses and Rose.
6th Upon reflection I think it will be best for my boy Reuben to be emancipated as soon as he serves his apprenticeship it will be saving trouble to my executor and may to the interest of the boy, therefore that part of the fourth item or clause respecting his having his own time and paying hire is hereby annulled and I do direct my Executor to emancipate him according to the law as soon his apprentice [illegible] and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son in law Robert Meredith my whole & sole Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all others or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
Alex Anderson (seal)
Signed sealed & published as the
last will & testament of the above
named Alexander Anderson in
presence of
Thos Tinsley
Edmund B Crenshaw

At a court of quarterly session held for Hanover County at the courthouse on Wednesday the 27th day of February 1822. This last will and testament of Alexander Anderson dec’d was offered for proof by Robert Meredith the Executor therein named and was proved by the oaths by Thomas Tinsley and Edmund B. Crenshaw the witnesses thereto and also by the oath of said Executor & is ordered to be recorded.
Teste,
William Pollard C.H.C.
A copy teste Benj Pollard Jr. D.C.H.C.

Old Wills:168

Last Will & Testament

Reuben to be freed at age 21 and simultaneously complete apprenticeship... old slaves Moses and Rose to be cared for by estate