1861 - Hopkins to slaves - Washington Co, VA

1861 - Hopkins to slaves - Washington Co, VA

04/21/1861

unknown

In the name of God Amen. I George W Hopkins of Washington county in the
state of Virginia, calling to mind the solemn truth that it is ap⟦pointed⟧
men once to die and being now of sound mind and disposing memory, and feeling
a desire common to most men to avail myself of the privilege conferred upon
me by law, to dispose of my little property according to my own pleasure
to make, ordain and publish this as my last will and testament in word and figuers
following to wit.
Item 1st It is my will that all my just debts be paid, out of debts due to me,
and which can be collected first, with the exceptions hereinafter named.
2nd I give and bequeath my law library, to my brother H. L. Hopkins of Powhatan
to whom also I give and release whatever he may be owing me, together with two
hundred and fifty dollars in cash.
3rdly I give to my niece Amelia Hopkins, daughter of my brother H L Hopkins five
hundred acres of land, out of my white top tract, to be selected by an agent of
her own choosing, but so laid off as to be of the average breadth of one half its
length.
4th I give also to my nephews A[?] Hopkins and Warren Hopkins sons of my said
brother each five hundred acres of land to be taken from the said tract of white top
land, and in the same form, but with the condition applicable both to that bequeathed
to said niece and nephews, that the same nor any part thereof shall be sold for ten
years from the time they arrive at lawful age, and I would advise even a longer
delay, unless their necessities may render a sale necessary.
5th I give and bequeath to my beloved wife during her life, with the conditions
hereinafter named, all my estate real and personal with remainders over after
her death to my said brother H. L. Hopkins and his children in fee — if they or
either of them shall survive my wife, and if neither, then for the benefit of any
slave or slaves which I may leave, and which slave or slaves in such contingency I hereby
emancipate and set free, trusting to the humanity of such person as may then be charged
with the administration of my estate that he will remove such slaves in such contingency
wherever they will be most happy and contented.
6thly And as in the life time of my said wife my white top lands may not be
otherwise available, it is my will and desire that ten years after my death
and not before, and not then unless the reasonable comfort of my wife may render
it necessary, that my Executors proceed to sell in such quantities as may be best
suited to the demand one third part, having a just regard to quantity, of said white
top tract and reinvest when collected, the proceeds of said sales in productive stocks
and the dividends arising therefrom, it is my will that my wife shall enjoy during her life.
7th It is my will, that my Executor shall sell my property consisting of a lot in
Lebanon Russell Co and my lot containing about three acres west of Abingdon
which I lately purchased from William Dunn, and after paying the balance
due for the last named property, to invest the proceeds in productive stocks and
pay over the dividends arising therefrom to my said wife. I desire also that
[illegible] land in Smyth County lying on the south side of Walker’s Mountain be sold
and the proceeds applied and invested in the same way and for the benefit
as above provided for my wife.
8th It is my desire that out of the means which I have placed in the
hands of my beloved wife that she will, so far as her own comfort and
wants may permit and my brother in going to our two nephews hereinbefore
named a complete and thorough education.
9th It is my will and desire, that my true friends James Fulcher and Gabriel
Stickley whom I have found to be honest and faithful in all things, shall
not be [illegible] or called upon to make payment of the debts which they owe
me, within two years after my death.
10th and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my true and faithful
friend James K. Gibson Executor of this my last will and testament hereby
revoking all other or former wills by me made, do declare and publish this
wholly written by myself as and for my last will. Given under my hand
and seal at 12 Oclock PM on the 3rd day of January 1853.
                     G. W. Hopkins {Seal}
At a Court held for Washington County the 22nd day of April
1861.
A Writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of George W
Hopkins deceased, bearing date the 8th day of January 1853 was produced in
Court by James K. Gibson the Executor therein named. And Jacob Lynch
and Joseph L. Campbell being duly sworn depose and say, that they are well
acquainted with the hand writing of the said George W. Hopkins deceased
having frequently seen him write, and that the said Will and the signature
thereto is entirely in the hand writing of the said George W. Hopkins decd.
and thereupon it is ordered that the said writing be admitted to record as
the last Will and Testament of George W. Hopkins deceased, And on the
motion of James K. Gibson who took the oath of an Executor prescribed
by law, and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of twenty
thousand dollars with Charles J. Cummings, Henry Roberts, Abram Mongle,
James Nance, Robert E. Cummings, and Jacob Lynch his securities conditioned
as the law directs - A certificate is therefore granted him for the probate
of the said Will in due form.
      Teste
                     John [?] Kreger C.C

WB 15:223

Last Will & Testament

further research required to ascertain the names and number of individuals freed, if any were in fact manumitted