Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-11-05
Selefted Mistellanp.
JOHN BROWNS WILL.

Charlestown, Jefferson county, West Viz
gina, is place historic in incidents and as
full OF adventure in the late war as leaves in
Valambrosa. 1t was here where the scouts
OF each army often surprised each other, and
cavelry charge is as familiar to the citi-
zens as the ordinary scenes of a county
court day Charlestown has even deeper
interest to the student of the philosophy of
causes and effects than the incidents of the
war. 1t was here where the celebrated
John Brown, whose soul is now popularity
believed ito be marching on" was tried and
hanged for the invasion of Virginia, at a
point near here, lIarpers Ferry; and those
who see beyond the ostensibe causes of war
trace its beginning to the night that this ia
matte occupied one Of the government houses
at Harper's Ferry, and opened the next
morning an indiscriminate fire upon its citi-
zens. Here was the first spark that lighted the
conflagration OF internal strife, and made
the scene OF his exploits, the Mecca of the
Northern soldier. The Hon. Andrew Hunter,
who still lives at Charlestown, prosecuted
Brown, and the force of public sentiment
was so strongly influenced by revenge that
his own cousin Gen Hunter burned his
palatial residence near this place.
The sheriff who hanged John Brown,
James Campbell, and the jailor who kept
him under lock and key, were compelled,
fhni al n, Al
lines OF the Confederate army; although it
seems from Browns will that he regarded
all these gentlemen with kind feelings
John Browns will has never been pub
lished, and even at this late day itmay be of
interest as a curiosity TO the public. The
following is an attested copy of the will:
|, John Brown, prisoner now in the
prison OF Charlestown, Jefferson county,
Virginia, do hereby make and ordain this
as my true last will and testament will
and direct that all any property, being per-
sonal property, which is scattered about in
the States Of Virginia and Maryland, shall
be carefully gathered up by my executor,
hereinafter appointed, and disposed of 10 the
best advantage, and the proceeds thereof
paid over TO my beloved wife, Mary A. Brown.
Many Of these articles are not of warlike
character, and ! trust as 10 such and all
other property that | may be entitled 10,
that my rights and the rights of my family
may be respected; and, lastly, hereby APP
pointed Sheriff Jas. W. Campbell executor
Of this, my true last will, hereby revoking
all others.
Witness my hand and seal this second
day of December, 1859
JOHN Brown.
Signed, sealed and declared TO be the true
last will of John Brown, in our presence,
who attested the same at his request in his
presence and in the presence Of each other. |
JOHN AVIS, #+
ANDREW HUNTER
Codiel.-I wish my friends, James w. |
sheriff, and John Avis, jailor, as a
return for their kindness, each to have
Sharp rifle Of those belonging to me; or if
no rifle can be had, then each pistol
Witness my hand and seal this I'd day Of
December, 1859. JOHN Brown.
Signed, sealed and delivered to be u codici |
10 the last will and testament Of John |
Brown in our presence, who attested the |
same at his request, in his presence and in |
the presence Of each other.
ANDREW HUNTER,
JOHN AVIS
Virginia, Jefferson county, Set. In the |
County Court, December Term, 1889
At a court held for the said couIAy, on the |
10Th day Of December, 1859, the foregoing |
last will and testament, and codicil thereto, |
Of John Brown, deceased. were proven in |
open court by John Avis and Andrew |
Hunter, subscribing witnesses thereto, and |
ordered 10 be recorded.
Test: l.. A. MooRE. Clerk,
A true copy from the record.