The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-02-06
acknowledgement:
The WIN Of Robert Morris.

NESloNI W. Vac fen' oui 1870
GIiors Inteigenccr:
Among the musty old records in the
Office of the Clerk OF the County Court
Of Lewis Countyajs copy Of the last
will and testament Of Robert Morris, one
Of the noblest patriots OF the Revolution.
The student Of history will recOllcct that
Mr. Morris, who, at the breaking ont OF
the war was wealthy merchant, spent
his large fortune in aid Of the cause Of
freedom; and the Tact remains that an I'M.
grateful country left him entirely i'm.
poyCrished, and without any reward save
hat OF good concience, and u knowl.
edge OF duty, faithfully and hcroicalIy
performed. 1t Is touching to note how
,lelicately the venerable patriot limited at
his country's ingratilude, in his last will
anl testament. | give You below an cx.
actCopy:
In the name OF God, Amen:
II Robert Morris, OF the city OF Phil
alrlphia, formerly merchant, &c., do
now make and declare this present writ.
ng to contain and to be my last will and
testament, hereby revolving all wills by
ne made and declared OF precedent dates :
"imprimis.--l give my gold watch to
my son Robert. II was my fathers, and
rltt me at his death, and hath been
clrfully kept and valued by me ever
ince.
"I,em.-i give my gold.headcd cane to
my son Thomas. The head was given to
me by the late John Hancock, E.q'r.,
when President Of Congress; and the cane
was the gilt Of James Wilson, Esq'r.,
whilst . member OF Congress.
"item.- give to my son Henry my
opying press, and the papers in which
were sent to me u present by Sir Robert
Ilerries, Of London.
"Lem.--l give TO my daughter HetLy,
now Mrs. MarshalD my silver vase or
punch cup, which imported from Lon.
don long ago, and have since purchased
again.
"Hem.--Igive to my daughter Maria,
now Mrs. Nixon my silver bowls, which
also imported from London many years
ago, and which have lately purchased.
"itsm.-l give to my friend, Gouver.
mc0r Morris, Esq'r., my telescope espy-
ins glass being the same that bought Of
French refugee, at Trenton.
"Item.-l give and bequeath all the
ether property which now possess, or
may hereafter acquire, whether real or
personal, or all that shall or may belong
10 me at the time of my death, to my
dearly beloved wife, Mary Morris, Tor
her use and comfort during her life, and
to be disposed OF as she pleases at or be-
lore her decease, when no doubt she will
make such distribution Of the same
amongst our children as she may then
think most proper.
"LIre hare 10 express my regret al hacing
Do, Il terry large fortune, acquired by honest
industry, irhich HAD long hoped and crpeeied
10 enjoy nth my (amiy during my o'cn life,
md then 10 distribute il GmOngd those that
omirci me. Fate has determined Oitc1cisc,
md nc must submit 10 The decree; irhich hare
done rih patience and tortiiude.
Lastly, do hereby nominate and APP
point my said dearly beloved vile, Mary
Morris, the sole executrixof this my last
viii and testament, made and declared as
such this 10th day Of June, 1904.
"RoDERr NORRIS"
The will was witnessed and proven by
H. Kenyon aud Ganet Cottringer, and
was afterward recorded in Lewis county
in 1886, to aid in establishing the
claims Of the heirs Of Mr.. Morris to GER
tain real estate i'll this section.
ANOTHER REMARKABLE WILL,
and one which challenges admiration by
reason Of its brevity, is that Of Cabell
Iayenner, formerly a distinguished law
yer in this portion Of Virginia. He de-
rIinel to write will as people generally
DO, but went to the County Clerks office
and taking the book in which the wills
we're recorded, wrote the following
which was after his death fully proven
and his estate administered upon accord
lugly:
81, Cabell Tavenner, make this for my
l1't will and testament:
81. charge my real estate with al
my debts.
80. desire and will that my wife (the
,oyelies! Of women shall keep her house
hold furniture and servant, Mary, nbso
1ntely in fee simple iii such term shall
apply personal property and that she
nave the house and lots we now reside or
during life; the remainder to my children
have no wish that she should not marry
again. il die before she becomes old.
%. appoint my wife, JCnnctt S
Ilvcnner, my executriS.
at. direct that my books, law book
'nparticular, shall be sold.
IS, hereby authorize my said vile tC
7ell 80 much ofmy lands rs may be ncces
'lry to carry out the Requests Of this M
will, and TO give to my child or children
4 liberal an education as she thinks the!
should have.
This is my will and desire, in my owl
hand write, which few can counterfeit
and none need dispute. Done IN hurry
hutnot without reelection. Giverunde
my hand and seal, this eth day OF Nc
y"nber, 1912. q. TAVESSER."
There are many old relics among thes
records, and ii these meet with your #
yorable consideration, will hcreaite
send them to you. w.