1847 - King to Mathews, et al - Tazewell Co, VA

1847 - King to Mathews, et al - Tazewell Co, VA

06/30/1847

9

In the name of God Amen. I Elijah King of the County of Tazewell and State of Virginia knowing the uncertainty of life and being of sound mind and disposing memory do hereby make this my last will and testament. First I will and require that my executor hereafter named to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses. Secondly, I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Polly all my real and personal estate forever with the following exceptions I will and that my negro man Mathews be free & do hereby free and emancipate him at my death forever: and further I do hereby will and emancipate at the death of my wife Polly all my other slaves & their increase to be free forever namely Laveta Anne, Clarinda, Anne, Floyd, Charles, John, Sarah, Jane and do further will and request that if the said slaves cannot be free and remain in the State that my wife provide at her death for their removal to some other state or place where they can live, and I further will and bequeath that if the above named slaves cannot live in the state after emancipation and are compelled to become slaves that they go to whomever of my sisters or brothers sons or daughters that they the said slaves may choose and I will and require that they become the property of whosoever they may choose of the above named persons to go to. I further will and require my wife Polly should it be necessary and that the situation of my sister Susan should require from any cause a maintenance that she my wife shall give her a comfortable maintenance at her natural life out of the estate willed to her by me. Lastly I do hereby appoint my beloved wife Polly my sole executrix in this my last will & testament to carry the same into effect. I do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills, codicils or bequest. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 24th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six.
Signed & sealed and acknowledged Elijah King (seal)
In the presence of us
Harvey George
Henry P. Peery
John E. David

Virginia: In the county court of Tazewell June 30th 1847. The last will and testament of Elijah King dec’d was proved by the oaths of Harvey George and Henry P. Peery subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on motion of Polly King executrix therein named who made oath and together with John M. Witten her security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $2000 conditioned according to law, certificate is granted her for obtaining probate of said will in due form.
Teste,
S.E. Chapman D.C.

WB 2:415

Last Will & Testament

provision made for transportation to a free state if necessary