Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11

were had against persons for not regularly
attending their parish church, for profane
swearing and for idle vagrancy, such indict-
ments ending with the phrase land within
| the knowledge of two Of u.s.
Tobacco was the common currency at
that time, and penalties, judgments and
debts were paid with it. For this reason
indictments We're had against persons for
| raising second crop of tobacco on the
same stalks, and the records show that
many prominent people were brought into
&C Urt for this offense.
1t is not generally known that after the
Declaration of Independence was adopted,
ana even as late as October of the same
year, tie public bonds were taken payable
TO the King. so that from July until October
would seem that there was a great deal
OF hesitancy about establishing the inde-
pendence of the colonies. About this time
meeting was held at Alexandria, at which
washington presided. The meeting was
called to take some action on public affairs.
anu a resolution was framed in favor of OPP
POSITION to the acts of the crown and in the
resolution appears this phrase, Though
Boston submit we will not"
Some Whimsical Wills.
A few other Wills made about the time
that Washington's was placed on record
show the spirit and feelings of the times.
None OF them are Of SO much interest as
relics of bygcne days. but many of them
are peculiar and full of eccentricities. Most
of them show the same devotion to their
slaves as does the will Of WASHINGTON, and
tie same interest in the welfare Of their
country.
The following quotation is taken from the
VIII of William III. Foote, the owner of
'Hayfield." one of the oldest and most
famous of Virginia estates:
Il Will and bequeath the balance OF my
real estate to my wife for and during her
widowhood. and during her natural life,
with the stocks of horses. cattle. sheep. etc.
IL, however, she should cease to be
my widow, and marry again, she must ac-
count for the first things. and take her
dover at law. 1t is not my purpose to give
to any cur Q sop.
My slaves are recornm ended to the care
and kindness Of my wife and executor. and
direct that they emacfpate them, from
time TO time, as may be comport with the
welfare of my slaves; they may be hired out
or Kept upon the farm; in either case. 1 give
to the grown ones so per annum, being
males, and $40 to females.
Il cannot emancfpate them In this state,
ana know not where to send them. They
must, therefore, look to my dear wife as
their protector, and be true and faithful TO
their duty She and my executor Will do
them justice and friendship.
bob Foy Is one of natures nobility; In
iorty-siX years OF trust / have never found
him In any falsehood or prevarica ton; fo-
truth, faith and honesty he can have no su-
perior; he must receive SIS per annum from
my wife. and end his days where he now is
Aaron l recommend to the care of nv dear
vile. He has words, but mas always
been honest and faithful. 1 give him SO
per annum. to De paid by my wife. All my
slaves are good, trusty and true, and bid
them long farewell with a sorrowful
heart"
George Mason of Sp-ingbank, the grand
sen of George Mason of revolutionary fame
left, an eccentric will. Amongst other things
tie following appears:
Il viii, direct and order. when IL shall
please Almighty God that / depart this life
that my body shall be duly only inclosed in
IA simple winding sheet after The good old
pfactlce OF our ancestors, and shall be placed
In a coffin made from pine plank cut from
my own estate iii Masons Neck made per-
fectly plain without any ornament what
ever, and ii shall be inferred without form
or ceremony. in the family burial ground at
tunston Han, near the graves OF my father
ana brother, that there shall be nothing
placed on II except small head and foot
stones with my name and the dates of my
btrth and burial. And it is my solemn in
junction 10 them that no member of my
family shall Wear mourning for me. When
real grief is felt, there can be nS need of
Displaying IDS vain dand empty embems.
but where IL is not, for me, at least i trust
there never wiii-se a
Bearing about the mock eTies Of woe,
To midnight dances and the public show q"
one of the most interesting wills On rec
ord amongst those OF hong ago is that of
George Mason of Gunstcn Hall. His will
was admitted to probate in lI.l2, and con-
Jaius the following:
Il appoint my good friends, the Rev. Mr..
DANES Scott, Rev. Mr.. Lee Massey, Col.
George Washington, whenever il
Snail be necessary to make such estinla ton,
division and allotment TO and among my
several resiluaEy legatees
Il hope they will be so charitable as not
to refuse to undertake this trouble for the
sake of friend, who when living would
cheerfully have done them any good office
in his power. L recommend to my sons,
from my own experience in life. to prefer
the happiness of Independence or private
station to the troubles and vexation of pub
&c business. but If their own inclination or
the necessity of the times shall engage them
in public affairs, / charge them, on a faith
e-'s blessing, never to let the motives Of
private interest or ambition induce them to
betray, nor the terrors of poverty or dis
grace, or the fear of danger or death, dete-
than from asserting the liberty OF their
country, and endeavorng TO transmit TO
their posterity those sacred rights To which
they themselves were born"