Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-08-16
MIS- IscELLAHEu us.
Copy of Gen. Charles Lees Will.

Oopy OF zen. UnarleS Lees Will.
Mr.. Snowden Watson, who resides in the
house in which Gen. Charles Lee, of .Revo>
lutionary War prominence, lived and died,
at Leetowu, in this county, furnishes us the
following copy of Gen. Lees villa docu-
rent strikiugly peculiar, aud which those
of our readers who have not hitherto seen
it, will peruse with interest:
l, Major General Charles Lee, of the
county of Berkeley, in the Commonwealth
of Virginia, being in perfect health and of
sound mind, considering the certainty of
death and the uncertainty. of the time il
may happen, have determined to make this
my last will and testament in manner fol-
lowing, that is to say, give and beq ueath to
Alexander White ESQ, one hundred euin>
eas, in consideration Of the zeal and inteeri.
ty he has displayed in the administration of
my affairs also the choice Of any two of nv
colts or fillies under four years Of age.
ltem.-l give and bequeath to Charles
M. Thurston, Esq, fifty guineas, in consid>
GRAFTON of his good qualities and the friepd-
ship he has manifested for me; and to Buck
ner Thurston, his son, leave all nv books.
as l know he will make a good use of them
To my friend. John Mercer, ESQ, of Mari,
borough, in Virginia, give aud bequeath
the choice of two brood mares, of all NV
swords and pistols and ten guineas to buy a
ring. would give him more, but as he has
good estate and better genius, he has
sufficient if he knows how to make good use
of them.
give and bequesth to my former Aid,de-
camp. Otway Bird, the choice of another
brood marc and ten guineas for the same
n n nhror -
bequenth to my worthy friend, Col. William
Grayson, Of Dumfries, the second choice of
two colts, and to my excellent friend. VIM.
Steptoe, of Va, would leave great deal
but as he is so rich. it would be no less than
robbing my other friends who are poor. I.
therefore, entrcat he will only accept of Eve
guineas which | bequeath to him to pur>
chase a ring of affection
l bequeath to my old and faithful ser.
want, or rather humble friend, Guisinni
Minghini, three hundred guiueas, with all
my horses, mares and colts of every kind
those above mentioned excepted Likewise
all my wearing apparel aud plate. my wagr
ons and tools of agriculture, and his choice
of four milch COWS.
l bequeath to Elizabeth Dunn, nv houses
keeper, one hundred guineas aud my whole
stock of cattle, the four milch cows above
mentioned only excepted. I had almost for,
got my dear friends (and I ought to be
ashamed of it Mrs. Shipper. her son Thos.
| Shipper and Thomas Lee, Esq, of Belle
view. beg they will accept ten guinsas
each to buy rings of affection.
My landed estate in Berkeley, I devise
may be divided into three equal parts, ac.
cording to quality and q uantity One third
| devise to my dear friend Jacob Morres. of
Philadelphia; one other third part to Evan
Edwards, both my former Aids>de>camp.
and to their heirs and assigns; and the other
third part I devise to Eleazer Oswald. at
present at Philadelphia, and William Cod
dard, of Baltimore, to whom 1 am under
obligations, and to their heirs and assigns.
to be equally divided between them. But
these devises are not to enter until thew
have paid off the several legacies above men,
toned, with interest from the time of nv
death, aud all taxes which may be due on
my estate.
In case I should sell nv said landed es.
tate, I bequeath the price thereof, after nav,
ing the above said legacies, to the said la
cob Morres, Evan Edwards, Eleazer Oswald
and William. Goddard, in the proportion
above mentioned
All my slaves, which may be possessed
of at the time of my decease, I beaueatb IN
Guiseppi Minghini aud Dunn, to be enual,
ly divided between them.
All my other property of every kind and
in every part of the world after nv decease.
(funeraI charges aud necessary expenses of
administration are paid) give, devise aud
bequeath to my sister Sidney Lee, her heirs
and assigns forever.
desire most earnestly that may not be
buried in any church or ohurchyard, or
within a mile of any Presbyterian or any
Baptist meeting house. For since 1 have
resided in this country, have kept SO much
bad company when living that I do moi
choose to continue it when dead l recon-.
mend my soul to the Creator of all worlds
and of all creatures, who must from His Wis.
ible attributes be Indifferent to their mode.
of worship or creeds, whether Christians
Mohammedans or Jews, whether instilled
by education taken up by reflection
whether more or less absurd, as weak NOR.
tai can no more be answerable for his per.
suasions or notions or even skepticism in
religion than for the color of his skin.
And do appoint the above mentioned
Alexander White and Charles MINI Thurs
ton, Executors of my last will and tesla
ment, and do revoke all other wills by m,
fnfo