1850-Rodgers to sundry slaves - Bedford Co, VA

1850-Rodgers to sundry slaves - Bedford Co, VA

04/22/1850

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James Leftwich, John F Sale, William Witt

Wills Book 13, Pgs 395-397
In the name of God Amen. I Timothy Rogers of Bedford County state of Virginia do make this my
last will and testament. Being myself in bad health my wife also very infirm. 1st Should my wife
survive me I give and bequeath to my dear wife Phebe a life estate or interest in all my lands slaves
property and estate both real and personal lying and being in the state of Virginia or elsewhere. And
it is my will that she have and enjoy all of the same during her natural life. At the death of my wife it
is my will and I direct that all my servants (slaves) of both sex and all ages and the children of the
females that may hereafter be born shall be emancipated and set free and sent to the African colony
at Liberia. Under these provisions however if any of the said slaves should before they are sent to
Liberia commit any heinous act or crime such as shall in the opinion of my executor render them
unworthy of being set free then and in that case it is my will that such guilty slave or slaves shall be
sold by my executor and the proceeds of said sale be appropriated for the use and benefit of the
balance of said slaves old and young who prove worthy of the crime which is to render any of said
slaves unworthy of being set free my executors must be the sole judges, it must be flagrant and
aggravated- I request my executors to enjoin it on them as a solemn duty to apply to the American
Colonization Society, or other like
benevolent and humane institution for funds and aid to be used send emancipated slaves to Liberia.
while waiting for such aid it is my will that all said slaves shall be hired out. (the women and children
especially) to good kind employers to form a sort of joint stock fund for their common benefit and in
deficit of other aid, or in case of partial aid only to bear the expenses of the whole family (i.e. all the
servants) to Liberia. the most helpless are to share in the money so raised as fully as the most able,
according to their several misfortunes- all are to be hired out as aforesaid, till their joint wages shall
amount to a sufficient sum of money to pay the expenses of all and every individual to that country,
or till the necessary means shall be supplied from some other source, or till their hire added to the
means supplied by some benevolent society shall amount to a sufficient sum to bear their expenses to
Liberia- and if anything shall remain after paying the expenses of the voyage it shall be divided
among the most mussitious and needy (or among all) on their arrival at Liberia at the discretion of
my Executors or agents appointed by them for that purpose- my executors are requested if necessary
to appoint agents to aid them in carrying into effect the provisions of this will. however sufficient
funds cannot be raised from any or all of these means before the time limited by law for the removal
of each slave out of the state on the forfeiture of their right to freedom, then and in that case only it is
my will that the expenses of all of them are so much of it as maybe wanting to send them to Liberia
shall be paid out of my estate and in the event of that necessity this claim shall stand before all other
legacies or bequest- at the death of my wife it is my will and I order and direct that all my estate land
and property real and personal goods chattels and effects shall be sold (except the slaves who are to
be set free) after a reasonable time or necessary arrangements advertising. If expedient I allow the
land to be sold on such terms of payment is my executors in their discretion may think best provided
the payments are secured in the most effectual way that the law has devised.
I give and bequeath to my faithful servant Daniel the sum of one hundred dollars. I also give and
bequeath to Mary (his sister) the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars. [$150] I give and bequeath to
Francis (their sister) the sum of two hundred dollars(in consequence of her children) which sums I
direct to be paid to these servants severally on their arrival at Liberia- To my servants Dick fifty dolsTo Sally fifty dols. And to each of her children one dollar To Aba fifty dolls.- I also give and

bequeath (out of proceeds of sales aforesaid) these several sums named and identified to the several
institutions, Societies, or corporations herein after named to the Columbian College District of
Columbia USA I give one hundred dollars to Richmond College Virginia . I give one hundred
dollars. To the Virginian and Foreign Baptist Missionary Society , I give one hundred dollars, to the
Valley Union Seminary at Botetourt Springs Virga. I give one hundred dollars and to the American
Tract Society instituted in the City of New York and to sustain colporteurs connected with it. I give
and bequeath all the balance residue and remainder of my estate and property
Except such portions of the same as herein otherwise bequeathed and disposed of. And the slaves
who are set free, I give all said remainder be the same more or less to the American Tract Society to
be applied to the charitable uses and of said society from convictions of its general and intensive
usefulness in my native land where God has granted to all men the unmistakable blessings of religion
and political freedom- my debts are considerable and will be paid out of my coffers or other property
at the discretion of my Executors- and lastly I appoint Revd. Jas. Leftwich, Mr. Wm. Witt and John
F. Sale Esq. of Bedford County Virga. the executors of this my last will and testament revoking all
heretofore made by me. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of March
1848.
Tim Rogers
Signed, sealed and publishedDeclared and confirmed in presence
Of God- Amen
I have with my own hand erased all from the 23rd to the 35 line or page second of the above will and
I do this day cancel and revoked this portion of the said will. Witness my hand and seal this 1st day
of December 1848.
Tim Rogers
At a Court held for Bedford County April 22nd 1850
The last will and testament of Timothy Rogers deceased was produced in court and proved to be
wholly in the hand of the testator by the oath of Gustavus A Wingfield , Micajah Davis and Robert C
Mitchell and the same was ordered to be recorded and in the motion of James Leftwich John F Sale
and William Witt the executors in said will named who made oath and together with Gustavus A
Wingfield, Robert C Mitchell, Nelson A Patterson, John R Steptoe, Pleasant Preston, James T
Johnson and Orville P Bell their security entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of forty
thousand dollars conditioned according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate of
said will in due form.
Teste
Jno. Steptoe CBC

B13, P395-397 (wills), see deed B40, P338 (land)

LW&T