Will: Elizabeth F. Cannon (1845)

Will of Elizabeth F. Cannon
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 165
Dated 28 May 1829; Proved 3 March 1845

I, Elizabeth F. Cannon, of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia, do make this my last will and testament in manner & form following, that is to say:

I give and bequeath unto my brother John P. Cannon one  half of the whole of my estate of every nature, kind and description whatsoever, including all money on hand and all debts due & which may be due unto me; also all my right title and interest in and to the undivided part of my father's estate, lately held in right of dower by my now deceased mother to be held and enjoyed by him my said brother, and by his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath to my said brother Jno P. Cannon the other remaining half of all my estate, as above described, to be held by  him in trust, for the sole benefit and behoof of my sister Sarah E. Phillips, and to be managed and disposed of by him, in such manner as she my said sister may from time to time by writing duely authenticated, or by her last will and testament direct or appoint, notwithstanding her coverture, to the intent that the same may not be subject to the control, debts, forfeiture, or engagements of her husband William F. Phillips, and in default of such direction, or appointment by will it is my will and intent that the same shall descend to and be enjoyed by my said brother Jno. P. Cannon and by his heirs forever. 

But nevertheless, should my said sister Sarah E. Phillips survive her husband William F. Phillips, then and in that case, it is my will and intent that the above trust vested in my said brother shall cease and all right and title in and to the estate therein described be as firmly vested in her as though her husband were dead at the time of this bequest, and said estate had been directly bequeathed to her.

Lastly, I constitute and appoint my brother Jno. P. Cannon, sole executor of this my last will and testament, requiring no security of him, either as trustee or executor, hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments, by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof, I have set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty eight day of May in the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine.

Elizabeth F. Cannon {seal}

Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Elizabeth F. Cannon (with the word, "by will" injected over the twenty ninth line) in presence of us

Ann Sowden
John Sowden
May P. Cannon

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince Wm. County, March 3, 1845

This last will & testament of Elizabeth F. Cannon dec'd was presented to the Court & being proved by the oath of John Sowden & May P. Cannon, subscribing witnesses thereto, was ordered to be recorded; and on the motion of John P. Cannon, the executor named therein, who made oath thereto & entered into & acknowledged a bond without security (according to the request of the Testatrix) in the penalty of $7000 (the Court being of opinion that she has left property more than sufficient to pay her debts) certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.

Teste, J. Williams  c.c.

[William F. Phillips and Sarah Edith Cannon were married on 14 May 1817 in Prince William County.  Evidently, Sarah's sister Elizabeth was not a fan of the union.  ~cgl]

Will: Mary B. Craig

Will of Mary B. Craig
PWCo. Will Book P, pg. 423
Executed: 15 August 1842; Proved: 3 April 1849

I Mary B. Craig of the County of Prince William & state of Virginia, being at this time in perfect health and of a sound and disposing mind, do make and declare this to be my last will and testament, in the manner and form as follows, Viz:

I give and bequeath to my husband William M. Craig all and every discription of property I may be possessed of, meaning two slaves, Mary and Julia Ann, with their increase, my lands houses here or elsewhere, all monies loaned out, all bonds and accounts due to me at the time of my death, also my stock of horses, cattle sheep & hogs, farming utensils, household and kitchen furniture of every discription. All of the above property I leave to my said husband free from the molestation of any person or persons whatsoever and by him to disposed of in any manner that may best suit him, hereby revoking annuling all other wills that I may have made. I leave my said husband my executor and of whom I design that no security be required. Witness my hand and seal this fifteenth day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty two.

Mary B. Craig {seal}

Signed in the presence of us
Wm. A. Lane
Jesse Barrow
Northumberland Pearson 

In Prince William County Court April 3d 1849

This last will & testament of Mary B. Craig was produced to the court & the proof thereof opposed by William T. McCarty & Charles J. Fox whereinfore for reasons appearing __ the court, on the motion of Seymour Lynn who made oath thereto & together with George F. Carney his security entered into & acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $3500 conditioned as the law directs he is appointed to collect & preserve the goods & chattles of the said Mary B. Craig decd during the contest about her said last will & testament or until the further order of the said court. And on the 6th of August 1849 this said last will & testament of Mary B. Craig was again presented to the court together with the commission for taking the attestation of William A. Lane a witness thereto & the certificate of the execution of the sd. commission which being inspected by the court & the sd. will being also proved by the oath of Northumberland Pearson another subscribing witness thereto the same is ordered to be recorded as the true last will & testament of said Mary B. Craig decd. And on the motion of William M. Craig the Excr therein named who made oath thereto & entered into acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $5000 without security according to the testators request the court being of the opinion that she has left property more than sufficient to pay her debts, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.

Teste    J. Williams  c.c.

Will: Daniel King (1849)

Will of Daniel King
PWCo. Will Book P, pg. 452
Proved: 7 January 1850

I Daniel King do hereby make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say.

1st. I desire that all the perishable part of my estate be immediately sold after my decease and out of the monies arising therefrom all my just debt and funeral expenses be paid.

2nd. I leave all my real estate to John Posey provided he will take care of me during my life, but should I recover from my sickness I reserve as much Barrel Timber as I can work up, and neither he the sd. Posey nor myself shall be at liberty to sell any of the Timber but mearly to work it up for the best advantage of us both but should I die then the sd. Posey is at full liberty to do as he pleases with it. 

In witness whereof I hereunder set my hand and affixed my seal this 19th day of November 1849.

Daniel King [X his mark] {seal}

Teste,
Levi C. Lynn
William Posey [X his mark]
William S. Cornwell [X his mark]

In Prince William County Court January 7th 1850

This last Will and Testament of Daniel King decd. was presented to the court & being proved by the oaths of William Posey & William S. Cornwell witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded; and on the motion of John Posey administration with the will annexed on the Estate of said Daniel King decd. is granted to him, who came into court & took the oath prescribed by law & entered into and acknowledged a Bond with security as the law directs. 

Teste, J. Williams  C.C.

Will: John Sullivan Sr. (1849)

Will of John Sullivan Sr.
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 413
Proved: 4 June 1849

In the name of God Amen, I JOHN SULLIVAN Sr. of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia, being old in years and weak in body, but of sound mind & disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human live, also being desirous to dispose of all such worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with --- I give and bequeath the same in manner following.

    1st. It is my will and desire that my three children to wit CHARLES CRAVEN SULLIVAN, CATHARIN SMOOT and ANN SULLIVAN, shall remain upon my farm during their natural life.

    2nd. That if my son CHARLES C. SULLIVAN should die before his sisters, that his portion of the sd. farm and what personal property he should possess at his death shall be equally divided between his sisters CATHARIN and ANN or their heirs, but should he survive both of them that my executor hereinafter named shall apportion him one third of sd. farm for his maintenance during his natural life and at his death to be disposed of as above stated, and act as his Guardian.

    3d. It is my will and desire that my farm shall belong to my three above named children to them and their heirs forever, reserving the right to my daughters to bequeath the same after the death of their brother. The said farm contains to the best of my recollection one hundred and forty two acres in two lots, it being purchased seperately as appear by reference to the clerks office embrachesing houses orchards & ____.

    4th. I give to my daughter CATHARIN SMOOT one bed, bedstead & furniture, one cow & calf one shot gun, 1 spining wheel & one griddle & walnut chest.

    5th. I give to my daughter ANN one bed, bedstead & furniture, one cow & calf, one sorrel mare & cart one clock, one walnut chest & one pine one walnut folding table, one flese wheel & cupboard.

    6th. I give to my son CHARLES C. SULLIVAN one bed, bedstead & furniture, one b[l]ack walnut chest and all my wearing apparel. 

    7th. I give to my grandson WILLIAM H. SMOOT one bed, bedstead & furniture & one cow.

    8th. I give to MATILDA HARRISON one bed, bedstead & furniture.

    9th. It is my desire that my executor shall divide or give to each of my children, grandchildren & Matilda Harrison the several articles of personal property as above devised to them.

    10th. I desire that the balance of my personal property not herein named be sold by my executor and after paying my burial expenses and just debts, the balance be equally divided by him between my four children CHARLES C., CATHARIN, ANN, & JOHN SULLIVAN JR.

    And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend JESSE E. WEEMS executor of this my last will & testament, hereby revokeing all other former wills or testaments by me heretofore made and the County Court of Prince William shall not require security of him my said named executor. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 16th day of December 1848.

JOHN SULLIVAN SENR. {seal}

Signed, Sealed, published & before us for the last will & testament of the above named John Sullivan Senr. 

OBED CORNWELL
SILAS K. CORNWELL
JAMES CORNWELL

In Prince William County Court June 4th 1849

This last will & testament of JOHN SULLIVAN SENR. decd. was presented to the Court, proved by the oaths of OBED CORNWELL, SILAS K. CORNWELL & JAMES CORNWELL, subscribing witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded & JESSE E. WEEMS the Executor therein named came into Court & renounced the burthen of the executor thereof. And on the 5th day of June 1849 Administration with the will annexed, on the estate of JOHN SULLIVAN SENR. decd. is granted to JOHN SULLIVAN JR. who came into Court & took the oath prescribed by law & entered into & acknowledged a bond with security according to law.

Teste,   J. WILLIAMS   C.C.

Will: Sarah Tasker (1846)

Will of Sarah Tasker
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 254

I Sarah Tasker will to George Cornwell my colt and plow & gear and sheep for his servises rendered to me in my sickness; and I also leave my servant Clany free and I do not wish [__] my children to try to enslave her as you know that I never intended that she was to serve anyone one.

Sarah [X her mark] Tasker

Ann E. Grimes
Mary Cornwell
James G. [X his mark] Grimes

In Prince William County Court, April 6, 1846.

This last will and testament of Sarah Tasker deceased, was proved by the oaths of Ann E. Grimes & Mary Cornwell, witnesses thereto, & ordered to be recorded.

Teste.  J. Williams  C.C.

Will: John Norman

John Norman Will
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 181
Proved 5 May 1845

I John S. Norman of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound mind and of a disposing memory do make this my last will in manner and form following first I desire all my just debts be paid out of my estate -- and all the rest of my estate of every kind be equally divided between my Sister Geraldean Norman, and my Brother James William Norman -- lastly I appoint my Brother James William Norman my Executor to this my last will and testament. Witness my hand and seal this fourteenth day of April Eighteen hundred and forty five.

John S. Norman {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presents of us 

Benson Lynn
Geo. F. Carney
James Keys

In Prince William County Court May 5, 1845

This last will & testament of John S. Norman decd was presented to the Court & being proved by the oaths of Benson Lynn & Geo. F. Carney witnesses thereto was ordered to be recorded and on motion of James W. Norman the executor named in said will, who made oath thereto and together with Seymore Lynn his security, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $200 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.

Teste,  John Williams  C. C.

Sunday's Obituary: Rev. Thomas B. Balch

Central Presbyterian (Richmond, VA)
20 February 1878

REV. THOMAS B. BALCH died last week at his home in Prince William county, Va. A member of the family, without giving the precise date of his death, writes:

"You, and many others, will, I know, feel deeply for us, in that our dear father has been called away from us. For three weeks he had been quite complaining, suffering from a severe cold, and asthma, and we sat up with him every night, but all the time we were hoping that under good medical treatment, he would soon rally, and be a great comfort to us, under the sad bereavement which we had so lately sustained in the loss of our mother. He loved to talk about her, and always said he had never met one on earth so pure and holy. I know they have met in heaven, and what a meeting! My father in past years had dreaded death very much, but long ago that feeling passed away, and all during his sickness his resignation was entire. 

Once he said to me, "I should prefer not to die in the cold wintry time," but for our sakes he seldom alluded to the anticipated separation. His life work was all done, well done, and the time had come that he should enter on his eternal rest. We are left disconsolate indeed, but "he has ascended the hill of myrrh, and the mountain of frankincense, where all earthly shadows forever flee away."

His ejaculatory prayers during his illness were beautiful and even sublime. My father has accomplished a great work on earth, he has preached the gospel with remarkable force, and been a most faithful evangelist. He loved to preach, and when he became feeble, preached from a chair. He was lavishly generous, and a great benefactor in every way, and his loss will be deeply felt."

Division of Land per Will of Joseph R. Lynn

The following division of land "pursuant to the will of Joseph R. Lynn" does not appear to have been recorded in an existing PWCo Deed Book. Several volumes of pre-Civil War Deed Books were lost or destroyed, so this may be the only record of this land transfer.  Also worth noting is that this division of land also includes the maiden names of the of the wives mentioned therein.  ~ cgl

Division of Joseph R. Lynn's Land
PWCo Will Book P, pg. 290

Pursuant to this will of Joseph R. Lynn dec'd by the requests of Wm. M. Lynn the Exor of said will we the undersigned, acting as Commissioners have this day proceeded divide the land of decd in Prince William County on the waters of Quantico whereon the said Lynn formerly lived where he was a resident of Prince William County. And we have allotted the North Western portion as is hereby laid out to William B. Davis Virlenda N. Davis his wife formerly Virlenda N. Lynn. Beginning at the road where the said land formerly ran on the line between the said Lynn decd & Joshua Taylor and running as the said line goes North 72 West as may be run in the old plot which is dotted of in said plot a straight course with said Joshua Taylors land to a stone corner in the eight line in the said old plot then S41W to a stump thence S15E 63 poled thence S 44E 107 to maple in the run thence with the Hayfield land as the fence now runs till it strikes the 13th line on said plat about 50 poles North of the stone pile which is corner to the south and of the 13th line where we have established a corner at small box oak about 10 feet from where the fence now stands East of said fence thence a straight line now and East corner to a lopped white oak on the East side of the Main Road thence up said road as it now goes to the beginning supposed to contain upwards of two hundred acres and the balance of said tract to Basil Cole & Rebecca C. Cole his wife formerly Rebecca C. Lynn. Given under hands this 22d day of October 1845.

S. Lynn
Joshua Taylor (Comr)

In Prince William County Court June 7 1847

This division of the land of Joseph R. Lynn was returned to Court & ordered to be recorded.

Teste, J Williams  c.c.

Will: Benjamin Pridmore

BENJAMIN PRIDMORE Will

Prince Wm. County Will Book P, pg. 290

I BENJAMIN PRIDMORE of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia being desirous of disposing of my effects in my lifetime do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following (viz.) 1st. I wish all my perishable property to be sold on a credit of nine months except my negroes and all my just debts & funeral expenses to be paid out of the proceeds of such sale.  2d. I give and bequeath to my wife LYIA PRIDMORE one third of all my estate that may remain both personal and real during her natural life.  3d. I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY D. PRIDMORE one sixth of all my estate that may remain both personal and real to her & her heirs forever.  4th. I give and bequeath to my son BENJAMIN and his heirs forever one sixth of all my estate both personal & real.  5th. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law JAMES A. SPINDLE and his wife SARAH JANE one sixth of all my estate to have and to hold the same forever subject to an account amounting to one hundred and thirty five dollars.  6th. I give and bequeath to my two grand daughters EMELINE FRANCIS SEE and MARGARET VIRGINIA SEE one sixth of all my estate both personal and real subject to an account of two hundred and fourteen dollars and fifty nine cents, but should said EMELINE F. and MARGARET SEE or either of them die without issue then it is my will that whatever property they may possess derived from my estate shall return to my lawful heirs.  7. I give and bequeath to my grand son EDON TEMPLE HUTCHINSON one sixth of all my estate both personal and real subject an account of forty nine dollars, but should said EDON TEMPLE HUTCHINSON die without issue then it is my will that whatever property he may be possessed of derived from my estate shall return to my lawful heirs.  8th. I give and bequeath to my two grand daughters SARAH CATHARINE and MARTHA ANN PRIDMORE one sixth of all my estate both personal and real subject to an account of one hundred dollars but should said SARAH CATHARINE and MARTHA ANN PRIDMORE or either of them die without issue then it is my will that whatever property they either of them may be possessed with derived from my estate shall return to my lawful heirs.  Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son BENJAMIN H. PRIDMORE executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of January 1846.

BENJAMIN PRIDMORE {seal}

Signed sealed published and declared by BENJAMIN PRIDMORE as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses.

ROBERT C. LEACHMAN {seal}

FRANCES M. LEWIS {seal}

WALTER WOODYARD {seal}

In Prince William County Court, June 7, 1847.

This last will and testament of BENJAMIN PRIDMORE decd. was proved by the oaths of ROBERT C. LEACHMAN, FRANCIS M. LEWIS, & WALTER WOODYARD subscribing witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded.  And on the motion of BENJAMIN H. PRIDMORE the Exor. named therein, who made oath thereto & together with LYDIA PRIDMORE, MARY D. PRIDMORE, EMELINE F. SEE, MARGARET V. SEE & JAMES A. SPINDLE his securities entered into & acknowledges a bond in the penalty of $12,000 condition as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.

Teste  J.WILLIAMS

Will: Benjamin Cole

BENJAMIN COLE

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

Prince William County, Virginia

Will Book P, page 324

In the name of God Amen I Benjamin Cole of the County of Prince William and state of Virginia being weak and afflicted in body, but sound in mind and of a disposing memory do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz. I give to my loving wife Prudence Cole all my Estate real and personal during her single life (after my just debts are paid) except my servant.

I give America which slave and her increase I give and bequeath to the said Prudence Cole as her absolute property to forever to dispose of in any way she may choose to do. And as Eliza Sims has lived with me ever since the death of her husbands It is my will that no charge shall be brought by my heirs or Executors or those who may take charge of my estate against her and her three children up to my death by reason of their support by me.

It is my will that Elizabeth Holliday who now lives with me and my daughter Susan Cole shall live with my wife free from any charge by my heirs, provided neither of them do marry. It is my will that Elizabeth Holliday who now lives with me shall receive from my estate a cow and calf or the value thereof at the death of my wife.

It is my will that each of my Children that has not had a cow and a calf from me shall when they marry, have ___ (?) and a bed also from my Estate. As I have let my son Bernard Cole have a mare which I paid forty dollars for I will that he account for that sum out of his part of my Estate.

It is my will that after the death of my wife all my estate real and personal which may remain in her possession at her death shall be sold by my son Lawrence Cole for the best price he can get and the proceeds equally divided among my Heirs. And I appoint my wife Prudence Cole and my son Lawrence Cole my Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all wills heretofore made by me in witness my hand and seal this 20th day of May eighteen hundred and fourth four.

Benjamin [+ his mark] Cole {seal}

Signed and acknowledged in the presence of us

Seymour Lynn

James D. Boughannan

Moses Copin

In Prince William County Court, September 6th, 1847

This last will and testament of Benjamin Cole decd. was presented to the Court proved by the oaths of Seymour Lynn and Moses Copin and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Lawrence Cole the Executor therein named, who made oath thereto and together with Seymour Lynn his security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $2000 conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.

Teste J. Williams c. c.