1839 - Gordon to Mary - Bedford Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
04/22/1839
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
Wills Book 10, Pgs 85-86
I James Gordon of Bedford County and State of Virginia do make and publish the following as
and for my last will and testament being weak and indisposed of body but of sound mind and
memory
First, I give and bequeath the sum of fifty dollars to be paid in money to my daughter Katherine
Gordon of Loudon County to be paid immediately after the decease of my wife Katy Gordon.
Second, I desire if the law be then such that it can be done, that my slave Mary (not Maria) may
be set free at the decease of my wife Katy Gordon- Third I give and bequeath to my beloved wife
Katy Gordon all the residue of my estate both real and personal the land to her here absolutely to
be disposed of at her pleasure and for her sole use and benefit, with the exception of the above
mentioned sum of fifty dollars and the above mentioned slave Mary in her my said wife is only
to have a life estate provided that the said slave can be set free at my said wife’s death under the
law then existing. But if she cannot be set free then I give and bequeath her to my said wife.
Fourth- order and appoint my beloved wife Katy Gordon the sole executrix of this my last will
and testament and desire that she may not be required to give bond or security as such. Dated at
Bedford County State of Virginia this 3rd day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twenty five.
James Gordon seal
His X Mark
Signed and seal and V ack. in presence of my subscribing
Witnesses the day and date above written
Teste Ben J. Caufield
James Mayhew
Robert B. Dawson
His X Mark
At a Court held for Bedford County the 22nd day of April 1839,
This last will and testament of James Gordon deceased was produced in court and proved by the
oath of James Mayhew and Robert B. Dawson subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be
recorded and on the motion of Katy Gordon the executrix in said will named who made oath and
gave bond in the property of $8000 conditioned according to law, certificate is granted her
obtaining a probate and said will and said form.
Teste.
R.O. Mithcell CBC
I James Gordon of Bedford County and State of Virginia do make and publish the following as
and for my last will and testament being weak and indisposed of body but of sound mind and
memory
First, I give and bequeath the sum of fifty dollars to be paid in money to my daughter Katherine
Gordon of Loudon County to be paid immediately after the decease of my wife Katy Gordon.
Second, I desire if the law be then such that it can be done, that my slave Mary (not Maria) may
be set free at the decease of my wife Katy Gordon- Third I give and bequeath to my beloved wife
Katy Gordon all the residue of my estate both real and personal the land to her here absolutely to
be disposed of at her pleasure and for her sole use and benefit, with the exception of the above
mentioned sum of fifty dollars and the above mentioned slave Mary in her my said wife is only
to have a life estate provided that the said slave can be set free at my said wife’s death under the
law then existing. But if she cannot be set free then I give and bequeath her to my said wife.
Fourth- order and appoint my beloved wife Katy Gordon the sole executrix of this my last will
and testament and desire that she may not be required to give bond or security as such. Dated at
Bedford County State of Virginia this 3rd day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twenty five.
James Gordon seal
His X Mark
Signed and seal and V ack. in presence of my subscribing
Witnesses the day and date above written
Teste Ben J. Caufield
James Mayhew
Robert B. Dawson
His X Mark
At a Court held for Bedford County the 22nd day of April 1839,
This last will and testament of James Gordon deceased was produced in court and proved by the
oath of James Mayhew and Robert B. Dawson subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be
recorded and on the motion of Katy Gordon the executrix in said will named who made oath and
gave bond in the property of $8000 conditioned according to law, certificate is granted her
obtaining a probate and said will and said form.
Teste.
R.O. Mithcell CBC
Record Location
B10, 85-86 (wills)
Document Type
LW&T
Files
Collection
Citation
“1839 - Gordon to Mary - Bedford Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed April 27, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/804.