1846 - Taylor to slaves - Orange Co, VA

1846 - Taylor to slaves - Orange Co, VA

10/26/1846

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I Robert Taylor Junior of the County of Orange and State of Virginia, being both sound in mind and body but knowing the uncertainty of life, and thinking that every man ought to keep a will, do hereby make my last will and testament, revoking all former wills made of me.
Imprimis. After the payment of all my just debts, I do loan to my beloved wife Mary C. Taylor, during her natural life, all my estate, both real and personal, that I may die possessed of, or be entitled to at the time of my death.
Secondly it is my will that my wife Mary C. Taylor should convey all my lands either by will or otherwise to one, or more of my brothers or sisters, or that descendant that she chooses, but if she should fail to make such conveyance, then I wish my lands sold, and the money obtained therefrom to be divided according to law.
Thirdly I give to my beloved wife Mary C. Taylor all my negroes to do with as she may think best for them, hoping at the same time that she may emancipate them, but if any of them should prove hard to manage, or should be concerned in any very improper conduct, it is my wish that the offenders be sold to go out of the State of Virginia. But if my wife Mary C. Taylor should marry again, it is my will that all my negroes shall be free at her death, together, with their increase, and that she shall not have the right to sell any of them without some very improper conduct, and if any are sold, the money arising from such sale, and one thousand five hundred dollars I give towards the transportation of them to some free state or country, if my wife will emancipate them. But any of the negroes had rather remain in slavery, my wife can give them, or sell them, to whom they may choose to live.
Fourthly I bequeath to my beloved wife Mary C. Taylor forever one half of all the debts due me, or stocks, that I may own, and all the money on hand at the time of my death, and all the household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils and stocks of every kind, and carriage and harness; the other half of the debts or stocks, after deducting the one thousand five hundred dollars, for the transportation of the negroes to be given by my wife to any of my brothers or sisters, or their descendants she may choose.
Lastly I do hereby appoint my wife Mary C. Taylor my Executrix of my last will and testament, and it is my will that the court suffer her to qualify as such without giving security. It is also my wish that no inventory or appraisement be taken of my said estate. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal, this thirteenth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. The above will is written and signed the day and year above mentioned with my own hand to which I affix my name and seal.
Robert Taylor Junior (seal)
At a monthly court held for the County of Orange, at the courthouse on Monday the 26th day of October 1846. This writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Robert Taylor Jun’r deceased was produced in court by Mary C. Taylor, the executrix therein named, and there being no subscribing witnesses thereto, Philip S. Fey & Jaquelin P. Taliaferro were sworn and severally deposed that they are well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Robert Taylor Jr. dec’d, and verily believe that the said writing and the name thereto subscribed are wholly in his handwriting. Whereupon the said writing is ordered to be recorded as the true last will and testament of the said Robert Taylor Jr. deceased. And on the motion of the said Mary C. Taylor, who made oath thereto according to law, and entered into and acknowledged a bond (without security, the will directing that none should be required), in the penalty of forty thousand dollars, conditioned as the law directs. Certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Teste

WB 10:417

Last Will & Testament

further research necessary to ascertain if wife manumitted slaves