1818 - Metcalf to slaves - Bedford Co, VA

1818 - Metcalf to slaves - Bedford Co, VA

01/26/1818

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Will Book 5 Page 6
Metcalf Vernon Will
In the name of God Amen I Vernon Metcliff of the county of Bedford and State of Virginia being in sound health of mind but subject to great bodily infirunity do make this my last will and testament in motion and form following to wit. I give my soul to God its author trustory thro’ the mercies of Jesus Christ for a full portion of all my sins – Item 1st It is my will & desire that all my Gust (?) debts be said as soon as possible that no crediors may be injuried a reference to my books will show the balance is due and which are more than sufficient to much an claims against me – Item 2nd It is my will and desire that my executors prep a settlement with the estate of Rowland Jones which is materinally indebted to me – Item 3rd to wit Ann Levert I leave five hundred dollars to be paid to three annual installments – 4th to my unfortunate sister Betty Metcliffe a maid Servant to which one(?) give for life & at her death and at her death to return to the body of my estate I also leave the said Betty a room in my house for life is she chooses to stay and also request my executors to see he gentlelly maintained for life lenfine (?) her a bed and chest of drawers & whereas I have ever received ~ Slavery as resuquit to every principal of Christianity & are desirous that wherever a change of our laws will legislation such a measure in a way not to become desirious (?) to society that the slaves may be carried into effect to the opinion of my executoes and with their reserve (?) that they are be kept together during the life little of my wife and sister and their as fast is the young ones arrive to the age of twenty six years with the exception of my woman Doll who I have the best reason to believe has four lines (?) at least accompled my life, therefore request she may be sold – 5 To my beloved wife I give all the property which reverted to me by marriage both real and personal to her and her heirs forever I also lend her of the residence of my estate one third part, during her life or widowhood the balance of my estate of every description to my son James and his heirs but in case he should die instate and without I pree there one half of my estate to revert to the heirs AV Levert (my sister) the other mority to my beloved wife and her heirs forever and should it in the widow of my executors be out of their power to effect an emancipation an the grounds suggested then it is my that the bonds of slavery be softened as much possible by making their situation as easy as possible and I herby appoint my friends George Cabell Robert Mobriss and Bulda ~ W Daniel my executor and the guardian of my child being that care he taken ~of this moral conduct and I herby revoke all former wills by me made Witness my hand and seal this 21st day of October 1817- V. Metca;fe {SL}
Witness
Frederick Robler, Wm Taylor, Natha J Manson, Benj Wiggington }
At a Court held for Bedford County at the Courthouse the 26th day of January 1818 – This Last Will and testament of Vernon Metcalfe decd me (?) exhibited in Court and proved by the oath of William Taylor one of the subscribing witness thereto, who also made oath that the whole will is in the hand writing of the Testor, which is ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Robert Morris one of the execution there in named who made oath and gave bond and security accebing (?) to law, certificate is granted, him for obtaining a probate there of in due form, Liberty being reserved etec (?) other insecution therein named to join in the probate where they may think fit
Teste J Steptoe CBC

B5, P6 (wills) Christian manumission

LW&T

Who is being freed? No names…