1797 Rockbridge Co VA

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN:

1, John Walker of Rockbridge County and State of Virginia, calling to mind the mortality of my body, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make this my last will and testament, that is, Principally and first of all, I recommend my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the earth, to be buried in a Christianlike manner by my executors, and as touching what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I will and dispose of in manner following, viz:

I will and bequeath unto my son, William Walker, the plantation that I now live on, containing two hundred and seventy-one acres, be the same more or less, with all buildings, orchards, &c., to him, his heirs or assigns forever.

Item. I will and bequeath unto Margaret, my beloved wife, her mare and saddle, all the household furniture, beds, &c., bed clothes included, as also the negro wench named Philos, during her natural life and what issue said wench has is to be at the sole disposal of my said wife, being, only the issue said wench has during my said wife's natural life. Likewise what money may be on hand, and accounts due to me is also to be for the use of my said wife, except the sum of forty-five pound what my son William is owing, to me and eight pounds that my son Alexander is owing me.

Item. It is my will and I order my negro wench Philos, after my wife's decease to be sold and one moietv of her price for my son Joseph and the other to be equally divided between the children of my son, John Walker, deceased.

Item. It is my will and I order that the remainder of my estate after my funeral expenses and lawful debts are discharged be equally divided between my son Joseph, Alexander, James, Samuel, Andrew and William, and my daughter Mary Graham and Margaret Phresher and the children of my son John deceased is to have a tenth part of the said remainder of my estate equally divided betiveen them and the same to be divided equally between the children of my daughter, Jean Raugh, deceased, and I do herebv constitute and appoint in beloved wife Margret and my sons Joseph and Alexander sole executors of this my last will and testament, and do hereby revoke all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made, declaring this my last will and testament.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-seventh day of March, one thousand seven hundred and Ninety-seven.

JOHN WALKER, L.S.
Teste: JOHN WALKER
TOBIAS LAMBERT.
JOHN STUART.
DANIEL SCHREKKENART.

AT A COURT HELD FOR ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, THE THIRD DAY OF OCTOBER, 1797.

This writing purporting the last will and testament of John Walker,deceased, was produced in Court by Joseph Walker and Alexander Walker, Executors therein and proved bv the oath of John Walker, Tobias Lambert and John Stuart, subscribing witness and ordered to be recorded. Teste: A. REID, C. C.

(A Copy)

Teste: A. T. SHIELDS, Clerk.

Genealogy of the Descendants of John Walker of Wigton, Scotland,
by Emma Siggins White, 1902. This will appears on pages 567 and 568.