1857 - Watson to Woodson, et al. - Bedford Co, VA
Dublin Core
Title
1857 - Watson to Woodson, et al. - Bedford Co, VA
Source
Date
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
05/25/1857
Manumitter
Number of Persons
15
Executor
Robert Kelso
Text of Freedom Document
Wills Book 16, Pgs 374-375
I John Watson of the county of Bedford in the State of Virginia being of sound mind and
disposing memory and being conscious of disposing of all my worldly estate to make and ordain
this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills at anytime made by me
Item 1st I desire that all my just debts be paid and for that purpose I charge the whole of my
estate.
Item 2nd After the payment of my debts I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth Watson to be held
by her occurring her life the whole of my estate of every kind.
Item 3rd immediately on the death of my wife Elizabeth Watson I hereby direct that all my slaves
now owned by me namely. Woodson. Permelia. Rhoda. Ann, Charlotte, Sarah, Elizabeth, and
Sam, Wesley together with the increase of the families from the date of this will be emancipated
and set free.
Item 4th after the death of my wife Elizabeth Watson I direct that all the property and estate given
her as above for life( Except the slaves herein before emancipated) be sold by my executor on
such terms as he may deem best and the proceeds applied for the benefit of my slaves as herein
emancipated and appropriated first for the purpose of removing them to a free state or to Liberia
as they may prefer if there is more than a sufficiency for their removal the surplus is to be
equally divided between them, if not enough for that purpose then I direct that they be hired out
from year to year until a sufficiency of offsets are obtained for that purpose.
Lastly
I nominate Robert N Kelso executor of this my last will and testament.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal this 31st day of March 1855
John Watson seal
X
His Mark
Signed sealed and published by John Watson the testator as and for the last will and testament in
the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request
subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.
Geo C. Mosely
John C Hopkins
I John Watson do make this as a codicil to my will above bearing the date 31st March 1855.
Since the making of the above will a tract of land on which I now reside and which descended to
my wife from the estate of her father has been conveyed by myself and said wife to Robert N.
Kelso and the said Kelso has conveyed the same by deed to me so that I am now the absolute
owner of said land and in order to prevent any misunderstanding or misconstruction, I do hereby
declare that my wife that my wife shall have the use and benefit of the whole of my estate of
every kind including the said tract of land for and during her life and at her death all the estate of
every kind which I have given her for life except my slaves whom I have emancipated including
said tract of land be sold by my executor and the proceeds applied as directed in my said will.
Given under my hand this 29th day of September 1855
Witnesses
Geo C. Mosley
John C. Hopkins
At a court held for Bedford County the 25 day of May 1857.
I John Watson of the county of Bedford in the State of Virginia being of sound mind and
disposing memory and being conscious of disposing of all my worldly estate to make and ordain
this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills at anytime made by me
Item 1st I desire that all my just debts be paid and for that purpose I charge the whole of my
estate.
Item 2nd After the payment of my debts I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth Watson to be held
by her occurring her life the whole of my estate of every kind.
Item 3rd immediately on the death of my wife Elizabeth Watson I hereby direct that all my slaves
now owned by me namely. Woodson. Permelia. Rhoda. Ann, Charlotte, Sarah, Elizabeth, and
Sam, Wesley together with the increase of the families from the date of this will be emancipated
and set free.
Item 4th after the death of my wife Elizabeth Watson I direct that all the property and estate given
her as above for life( Except the slaves herein before emancipated) be sold by my executor on
such terms as he may deem best and the proceeds applied for the benefit of my slaves as herein
emancipated and appropriated first for the purpose of removing them to a free state or to Liberia
as they may prefer if there is more than a sufficiency for their removal the surplus is to be
equally divided between them, if not enough for that purpose then I direct that they be hired out
from year to year until a sufficiency of offsets are obtained for that purpose.
Lastly
I nominate Robert N Kelso executor of this my last will and testament.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal this 31st day of March 1855
John Watson seal
X
His Mark
Signed sealed and published by John Watson the testator as and for the last will and testament in
the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request
subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.
Geo C. Mosely
John C Hopkins
I John Watson do make this as a codicil to my will above bearing the date 31st March 1855.
Since the making of the above will a tract of land on which I now reside and which descended to
my wife from the estate of her father has been conveyed by myself and said wife to Robert N.
Kelso and the said Kelso has conveyed the same by deed to me so that I am now the absolute
owner of said land and in order to prevent any misunderstanding or misconstruction, I do hereby
declare that my wife that my wife shall have the use and benefit of the whole of my estate of
every kind including the said tract of land for and during her life and at her death all the estate of
every kind which I have given her for life except my slaves whom I have emancipated including
said tract of land be sold by my executor and the proceeds applied as directed in my said will.
Given under my hand this 29th day of September 1855
Witnesses
Geo C. Mosley
John C. Hopkins
At a court held for Bedford County the 25 day of May 1857.
Record Location
B16,P374-375
Document Type
LW&T
Files
Collection
Citation
“1857 - Watson to Woodson, et al. - Bedford Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed July 11, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/831.