1853 - Gordon to Lucy, et al. - Bedford Co, VA

1853 - Gordon to Lucy, et al. - Bedford Co, VA

05/23/1853

~

Wills Book 14, Pgs 514-515
In the name of Almighty God Amen, I Catherine Gordon of Bedford County and State of
Virginia being in feeble health but have sound and disposing mind do make this my last will and
testament 1st I bequeath my soul to God who give it beseaching him to have mercy on me
through Jesus Christ my Redeemer-and my body to my executor to be by him decently interred
Art 2nd I give all my slaves without exception and to their future increase their freedom viz to
Lucy Nancy Esther and her child Emmeline Frances Maria and James Ellis grandson of Lucy by
her daughter Mary
Art 4th I desire that all the balances of my estate real and personal shall be sold by my executor
and at the price is there of appropriated as follows Art 1st To the payment of all my just debts and
funeral expenses 2nd I give 2 Catherine Crozier formerly of Loudon County and who was raised
by my deceased husband James Gordon fifty dollars agreeably to his last will and testament.
3dly of the remainder I give the following slaves viz Lucy Harriet Esther Maria and James Alice
twenty dollars each for the purpose of conveying them to a Free State 4th if there be a
sufficiency left after the above legacies shall have been paid or secured I give my brother-in-law
John Gordon and his daughter Patsy should he die before receiving it fifty dollars all the balance
if any I desire to be equally divided amongst the last named five slaves
On further reflection I think proper to make the following alteration in the fourth article above
viz I give in trust to James Skinnell George E Skinnell and George A Gibbs one acre of land in
the road near Williams meeting house and adjoining the lands of them as rider for the purpose of
building a meetinghouse for the Methodist Episcopal Church South to whom they are to seem it
now it according to the usage of said church provided the peoples of the neighborhood think fit
to build a church at that place, lastly I appoint friend David O Witt executor of this my last will
and testament it witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 31st day of January in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Catherine Gordon seal
Her mark X
Teste
Jas a Walker
Thos J Phelps
At a court held for Bedford County the 23rd day of May 1853 this writing purporting to be the
last will and testament of Catherine Gordon deceased was produced in court and thereupon
James A Walker and Thomas J Phelps subscribing witnesses thereto being sworn state that the
said Catherine Gordon acknowledged the said writing to be her last will and testament in the
presence of the said witnesses that they the said witnesses in the presence of the testator at her
request and in the presence of each other subscribed their names as witnesses thereto and that at

the time of witnsseing said writing , was capable of making a will and it is ordered that the said
will be recorded. And on the motion of David O Witt the executor and said will named who
made oath and together with Pleasant Preston and Richard A Shelton his securities entered into
and acknowledged bond in the penalty of five thousand dollars conditioned according to law
certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form
Teste,
AA Arthur CBC

B14, P514-515 - paid for travel to a free state - see 1857 Deed

LW&T