The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-03-02
CURIOUS HISTORICAL RELIC.
The Last VIII and Testament OF the
Mother of George Washington.


Rev. J. G.. Cruikshank, the Superintendent
of Schools in Passaic County, New Jersey,
recently paid a visit TO his son in kittrell,
y. c., and there accidently made the ac-
Quaintance of a great nephew of George
Washington, a gentleman named Charles A.
Thornton. The latter is a prominent gentle
man in kittreli, and had in his possession
many interesting relics connected with the
history of the Father of His Country.
Among others was the last will and tesla
ment of Mrs. May Washington, the mother
of. the General, an old document almost IL
legible with age and threatening to crumble
10 pieces by handling. Mr. Cruikshank re-
quested copy of il and Mr. Thornton fur
nished il, together with a genealogy of the
family. The following is copy of the will
as furnished To Mr.. Cruikshank by Mr..
Thornton:
THE WILL.
In the name OF God-Amen.-I, May Washing
ton, of Fredericksburg in the County of Spotsyl-
vania being in good health but calling To mind
the uncertainty of this Life, and willing 10 dis
pose of my Worldly Estate, do make ard Publish
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. dispose
of all my Worldly Estate as follows:-
Imprfmis.-I give to my Son, General George
Washington, all my Lands ON AccOkeck Run, i'll
the County OF Stafford, and also my negro boy
Se 70 s e1@ and a ns I Hes ce Ss1
the same that stand in my best Room, my
quilted blue and White Quilt, and my best dress
ing glass.
Washington, my negro man Tom, TO him and his
Assigns for Ever.
Item.-I give and devise to my Daughter, Betty
Lewis, my PhaetOn and my bay horse.
ltem.-l give and devise to my Daughter in
Law; Hanna Washington, my purple Cloth Cloak
lined with Shag
Itarn - oive aud daX.isa m my Grand Con Corhiu
Washington. my negro Wench Old Bet my riding
Chair and two black horses TO him and his As
signs for Ever.
Item.-I give and devise to my grand Son Field
Ing Lewis, my negro man Frederick, TO him and
his Assigns for ever: also my Eight Silver table
S si nan To- ., 1 my 1roTEerS ware ana tne Prev
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
peuter, and one half of my Iron Kitchen Furni.
ture.
ltem.-I give and devise 70 my grand Son. Law.
renee Lewis. my negro Wench Lydia, to him and
IIem.-I give and devise to my granddaughter
Betty Carter. my negro Woman Little Bet, and her
future increase, to her and her Assigns for ever
also my largest looking glass my Walnut Writing
DeSk.-wlth Drawers-and Square Dining Table,
one Bed, Bed Stead. bolster and pillows. one
blanket, one Pr. Sheets White Virginia Cloth
Counterpart aud purple curtains, my ked and
White China tea spoons, and the other half of my
pewter. Crockery Ware. and the remainder of my
Iron Kitchen Furniture
Item.-l give TO my grand son George Washing
ton, my next best Dressing Glass, and Bed, Bed
stead bolster. one pillow, one blanket, one Pail
Sheets aud Counterpart.
Item.-I devise all my wearing apparel TO bt
equally divided between my grand Daughters
Betty Carter, Fanny Ball and Mile Washington
but should my Daughter Betty Lewis, fancy any
one two or three articles, She is 10 have them be
fore "A division thereof
LASTLY nominate and appoint my said son
General George Washington, executo- of this my
Willard "a | owe few debts direct nS
executor I" give no security, nor to appraise IN!
estate, but desire the same may be allotted 20 my
devisees with as little trouble and delay as may
be, desiring their acceptance thereof as all the
token of my love now have 10 give them. In
witness whereof have hereunto set my hand anC
seal this 10Th day of May 1850.
J.. Z MAY WASHINGTON.
Signed. sealed and published In the presence
and signed by rs in the presence OF the sd. MAJ
Washington, and Mt her desire.
(JOHS FORNEY HOu6H.
Witness JAMES NEWER
JOSEPH WALKER
The Charles Washington, to whom "my
negro man Tom" is devised in the first item
was the great grandfather of Mr. Thornton
and the grandson George Washington
referred to in the seventh item, was thu
grandfather of Mr.. Thornton.