Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-11-22
Mrs. Washington's Will.

] MTS. W 6SHluSGOu b WILL
! Among the most interesting relics OF
| Mrs. Washington is her WILL which is flee
| in the archives of the Court at Freder
icksburg. The worthy clerk of the Court,
John J Chew, favored me with sight Of
the original document, as we'll as copy OF
it. The signature, "Mary Washington, J"
in a large, bold, and somewhat masculine
hand. AS believe the will has never beer
published, it may not be amiss, as an in
teresting relic, to give it a place in the col
served that with the exception of 1.-The lands
on Accokeck run,'' Washington did not
inherit great deal from his maternal an
cestor. I give the spelling as in the origi
nal, though probably this is the scrivener's
GIN the name of God, Amen. I. Mary
Washington, of Fredericksburg, in the
county of Spotssylvania, being in good
health. but calling to mind the uncertain
ty Of life, and willing to dispose of what
remains of my worldly estate, do make and
publish this my last will, recommending
my soul into the hands of my Creator, and
hoping for remission of all my sins, thro
the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ
the Savior of mankind, I dispose of all my
worldly estates as follows:
"hnprinais. give to my son, Gen. Geo
Washington, all my lands on Accokeck
run, in the county of Stafford, and also my
negro boy George, to him and his heirs
forever; also my best bed. bedstead, and
Virginia cloth curtains (the same that
stands in my best room,) my quilted blue
and white quilt, and my best dressing
glass.
'Item. I give and devise to my son
Charles Washington, my negro man Tom,
to him and his assigns forever.
s'Item. give and devise to my daugh-
ter, Betty Lewis, my phaton and hey horse.
"Item. give and devise to my daught
er-in-law, Hannah Washington, my purple
cloth cloak, lined with shag. ~"
Item. I give and devise to my grand
son, Corbin Washington, my negro wench,
Old Bet; my riding chair, and two black
horses, to him and his assigns forever.
s'Item. give and devise to my grandson,
Fielding Lewis. my negro man Frederick,
to him and his assigns forever; also, eight
silver tablespoons, half my crockery ware,
and the blue and white tea china, walnut
book case. oval table, one bed, one bed
stead one pair sheets. one pair blankets,
one white cotton counterpart, two table
cloths, six red leather chairs, half of my
J pewter, one half of my iron kitchen furn-
iture.
''Item. give and devise to my grand
son, Lawrence Lewis, my negro wench
Lydia. to him and his assigns forever.
Item. give and devise to my grand
daughter, Bette Carter, my negro woman.
little Bet, and her future increase, to her
and her assigns forever also my largest
looking glass, my walnut writing desk
with drawers, and square dining table, one
bed, bedstead, bolster, white Virginia cloth
counterpart and purple curtains, my red
and white tea china, teaspoons, and the
other half of my pewter, crockery. ware,
and the remainder of my iron kitchen fur
niture.
s'Item. I give to my grandson, George
Washington, my next best dressing glass,
one bedstead, bed, bolster, one pillow, one
pr. sheets, one blanket and counterpaine.
''Item. devise all my wearing apparel
to be equally divided between my grand
daughters, Betty Carter, Fanny Ball, and
Milly Washington but should my daugh-
ter Betty Lewis, fancy any one. two or
three articles, she is to have them before
division thereof.
''Lastly. nominate and appoint my son
General George Washington, executor of
my will, and as I owe few or no debts,
direct my executor to give no security nor
to appralse my estate but desire the same
may be allotted to my devisees with as lit
tie trouble and delay as may be, desiring
their acceptance thereof as all the token I
now have to give them of my love for
them.
''In witness whereof have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Goth day of May,
17SS.
MARY WASHINGTON, [seal.1
s'Signed, sealed, and published in our
presence and signed by us in the presence
of the said Mary Washington, at her de-
sire.
JAMES MERCER,
Witness } }oan Fv WA ALaaRI,,, ;,
Presbyterian.