Abraham Shelley

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The Last Will & Testament of Abraham Shelley
of Washington County, Virginia

Washington County, Virginia Will Book 2, pages 4,5, & 6

In the name of God Amen. I Abraham Shelley of the County of Washington in the Commonwealth of Virginia being weak in body but of sound memory praised be God on this seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner following, That is to say first I leave all my estate in the hands of my wife Barbary Shelley to be (entire line is illegible). Secondly, Will that as my three sons John, Jacob, and Adam come of lawful age the shall receive their proportion of my landed estate which shall be divided in three equal shares as shortly after my decease as may be convienent one share to be that part lying over the creek, one share to be lye(sic) up the branch from my house where a small plantation has been formerly cleared, and the other share to be that part of the land where I now live and I choose and approve Daniel Sink, Peter Shelley, John Lowery, and Benjamin Sharp or the survivors of them to make the Division. Thirdly, I give to my son Jacob that share of my said land lying up the aforesaid Branch and to which of either my other sons (John & Adam) my said wife Barbary shall chose to live I give that share on which I now live and to the other I give that share lying over the creek. Fourthly, I wish that when my oldest son John shall come of lawful age to receive his share of the land that the above mentioned Daniel Sink, Peter Shelley, John Lowrey and Benj. Sharp or the survivors of them shall value the said share at what the current price of land of the same quality as their judgments they can and the two shares that shall be the highest in value shall be reduced by payments to be made by the owners of the shares as they shall be able without disposing of them to the hundred of the lowest share in value (entire line illegible) to be divided equally among my seven daughters, Elizabeth, Margott, Katherine, Mary, Barbara, Magdalene and Susanna. Fifthly, after my children shall all have come of age and it becomes necessary for my said wife Barbary to break up housekeeping she shall move to living with that one of my sons who that possesses that share of my Land on which I now live on and She shall have the fourth part of all my movable estate at her disposal during her natural life and the remains to be evenly divided among my three sons and seven daughters. (Several words illegible) that one fourth part of my said movable estate that shall remain in the house of my wife during her natural life shall at her death be divided into two portions, one of which shall be the property of that one of my sons with whom she chose to live and the other shall be divided equally between the rest of my said children. _____ my daughter Elizabeth who shall have in addition to what she has already received as shall make her share equal th the other shares. And seventhly I ordain Peter Shelley, John Lowrey, Benjamin Sharp to be Executors and my wife Barbary Shelley to be Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament to take care and see the ___ according to my true intent and meaning. In Witness where of I have subscribed my name and affixed my seal the day and year above written.

Abraham Shelley (S.S.)
Signed, sealed & delivered
by said Abraham Shelley as for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us

Benj. Sharp
Peter (his mark) Shelley
Michael Devaust

At a Court held in Washington County January 15th, 1793

This Last Will & Testament of Abraham Shelley was proven by oath of Benjamin Sharp, Peter Shelley and Michael Devaust witnesses thereto and ordered recorded

{There is a note mostly illegible but it appears to have something to do with daughter Elizabeth witnessing some signatures}

Teste Andw Russell DC