The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-03-16
CURIOUS HISTORICAL RELIC.
The Last Will and Testament of the Mother
of George Washington.


The Rev. J. G. Cruikshank, the super
intendent of schools in Passaic county,
n. j., recently paid a visit to his son in
Kittrell, n. c., and there accidentally
made the acquaintance of a great nephew
of George Washington, o gentleman
named Charles A. Thornton. The latter
is a prominent gentleman in Kittrell,
and had in his possession many interest
ing relics connected with the history of
the father of his country. Among others
was the last will and testament of Mrs.
May Washington, the mother of the
general, an old document almost illegi-
Bile with age and threatening to crumble
to pieces by handling. MI. Cruikshank
requested a copy Of it and Mr.. Thornton
furnished it, together with O. ~genealogy
of the family. The following is a copy
of the will as furnished to MIR. Cruik-
shank by Mr.. Thornton:
In the name of God, Amen.-1, May Wash
ington, of fredericksburg, in the County OF
SpOtsylvania, being in good health but calling
to mind the uncertainty of this Life, and willing
to dispose of my Worldly Estate, do make and
Publish this my last Will, recommending my
Soul into the Hands of my Creator, hoping for
the remission of all my Sins, through the Merits
and Mediation Of Jesus Christ the Saviour OF
Mankind. I dispose of all my Worldly Estate
as follows:
I~mprimis.-I give to my Son, General George
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, bcdstcad and Virginia Cloth Curtains
1.-THE same that stand in my best ROom), my
quilted blue and White Quilt, and my Best
dressing Glass.
LEM give and devise to my Son, Charles
Washington, my negro man Tom, to him and
his Assigns for Ever.
Uem.-I give and devise to my Daughter,
Betty Lewis, my Phaeton and my bay horse.
Ecn.-I give and devise to my Daughter in
Law, Hanna Washington, my purple Cloth Cloak
lined with Shag.
Hem.-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 for Ever.
Hem.-I give and devise to my grand Son
Fielding Lewis, my negro man Frederick, to
him and his Assigns for ever, also my Eight
Silver table Spoons, half of my Crockery Ware,
! and the blew and White Tea China, my Walnut
book Case, ovcl Table, one Bed, bed stead, one
Pr. Sheets, one Pr. blankets, and White Cotton
| Counterpart, Two table Cloaths, Six Red Leather
| Chairs, half Of my pcuter, and one-half OF my
Iron Kitchen Furniture.
Unn.-I give and devise to my grand Son
Lawrence Lewis, my negro Wench Lydia, to him
and his Assigns for ever.
Weni.-Ig give and devise to my granddaughter
Betty Carter, my negro Woman Little Bet, and
| her future increase, to her and acc Assigns for
o,.o, o1,n M. 1o,synSf IppRjnu ploaa nv Walnut
Writing csk-with Drawcrs--andS Square dining
| Table, one Bed, Bed Stead bolster and pillows,
one blanket, orc Pr. Sheets, White Virginia
Cloth Counterpart and purple curtains, my Red
AIN. White China, tea spoons, and the other hall
of my peuter, CrockefFNare, and the remainder
of my Iron Kitchen Furniture.
Nem.-I give 70 my grand son George Wash
ington, my next best Dressing Glass, and Bed,
Bed Stead, bolster, one pillow, one blanket, ono
Pair Sheets and Counterpart.
Nem.-I devise all my wearing apparel to be
equally divided between my grand Daughters,
| Betty Carter, Fanny Hall and Milly Washington,
but should my Daughter Betty Lewis, fancy any
| one two or three articles, She is to have them
before o division thereof.
Lastly.-I nominate and appoint my said Son
Gen. George Washington, Executor OF this my
Willard as 1 owe few or no debta-I direct my
Executor to give no Security, nor to appraise
nv Estate, but desire the same may be allotted
to nv Devisces with as little trouble and delay
as may be, desiring their acceptance thereof as
all tho Token OF my love I now have to give
them. In witnes 81 whereof / have hercunto set
nv Hand and Seal this Goth day Of May 1880.
NAY WASHINGTON, Il. 81
Signed, sealed and pub
lishcd in the presence, and
signed by us in the presence
ofthc sd. May Washington,
and at her desire.
LAW. Eooy.r,. uornu