Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-08
tives In the Legislature. and insist upon
action at once.
An Old Document Probsted ~
Will In . virginia Court.

An Old OOCU menu IroDateu -
Will In . virginia Court.
From the Law Register)
LIVINGSTON, NELSON CO.. VA,
October II. 1896.
Editor Virginia Law Register:
I enclose you for publication In the
Register a unique document. a love-
letter. admitted to probate. On appeal.
as a will. Is there such another case IN
the history of probate jurisdiction?
RIO. WHITEHEAD.
TRANSCRIPT OF RECORD.
"rn Nelson County Cir Court. April
Term. 1866. Hugh w. Shelley Presidg:
Mary A. Goodwin Appel
Mary r. Harris Appellee.
IIuon a motion to PROFOUND the VIII
OF John w. Goodwin decd for probat on
an appeal from the County Court OF
Nelson.
IL being suggested that the plaintiff
In the motion has intermarrled With
John w. Matthews. 1t Is ordered that the
same stand and be prosecuted In the
name OF John w. Matthews and Mary e.
his wife as plaintiffs In the motion here
and as Appellees on the appeal from the
Judgment of the county court OF Nelson
county.
And thereupon this day came the
parties by their attorneys and the evil
dence on both sides being heard. 1t Is
considered by the court, that the paper
writing In the words and figures follow
ing-'May the 18th 1861. Much Esteemed
NJ T.. H. take my pen In hand, for the
purpose TO respond to your most We'll
come letter. which was received few
days since, Which Gave me Great
pleasure When I perused It, you say
though l may be absent but not for
gotten by you. / hope not. though
have Vowed to you ~ Sentiments upon
the Subject. that / was candid and sim
cere in What have told YOU. and now
I want to Whether | can have
the pleasure of joylng heart and with you
or not l am not precipitate, nor would
I desire your hand. If your heart did not
accompany II. / now not In what light
II NAV be consider only II / could from
any motion made on Il by your amible
accomplishments. my happiness In this
World VIII In Great Measure depend
upon your answer. II this does not meet
your appreciation, you VIII please look
upon me as favorable as possible for
making such Vowals: You Say you now
not who May be writing to at this time
you WIZ See from the above whether
am or not. must Close Ny imperfect
Nothing More at present but remain
| Your ever true friend until death. an
sWer Immediately as shall be In
| Suspense until am answered either by
letter or verbatim-Your real admirer.
]. w. G..
p. 8. II do go to War. and Never
return. you Shall have the benefit OF
what / leave behind to Your own dis
posai ]. W. Goodwin. Don't Show
| trfs'-. Ia proven In the hand writing Of
Jno. w. Goodwin deceased. that the SAID
| John w. Goodwin at the dae OF SAID
paper Writing was over the age Of
eighteen and under the age OF twenty
| one Years and that said paper writing
was addressed to. and received by. thu
Said Mary e. then Mary f. Harris. ant
was In her keeping ard custody until thu
Same was propounded for probat In tn
| county court Of Nelson county. and tina
afterwards. to Wit. in the month o
| June. 1851 said Jno w. Goodwin did CT
10 War. that Is. into the Military Ser
vice. and did not return to the county o
Nelson. but died in the Military Servic'
] In the Western portion OF the Safe o
| Virginia I'm the fall OF 1851: and there
| upon Il Is considered by the cfrrt tina
| so much OF said paper writing as Is II
the Words following. to VII, IF ! d.
! Go to War and never return. you shall
have the benefit Of what leave behin'
TO your own DISPOSAL. J. w. Goodwin
ie the true last VIII and testament o
John w. Goodwin deceased. Suffic'en
10 pass TO the Said Mary e. the PERSONA
Estate OF Said John w. Goodwin de
ceased. remaining at his death and tina
the same be recorded as Such last WI
| and testament Of Said John w. Goodwi
deceased. and that to that exten' tn
Judgment Of the county court be peirmed
and X Is further considered that tn
costs here and In the county court
psid out OF the estate OF Said John W
Goodwin, deceased. and by Consent Q
parties II Is ordered that this iudgmen
and said paper writing be certified
the county court OF Nelson county n
record In Said court and for further pre-
ceed'ngs therein for administration q
the Estate OF Said John w. Goodwi
decd and otherwise according to tn
rights Of the parties.
A Copy
Teste: GEO s. STEVENS. elk.
In the clerks office o. Nelson count
court August the LIST 1866 The dockumer
Was presented In said office duly certifie
by the clerk Of the circuit court of tn
county, and admitted TO record as III
last VIII and testament of John W
Goodwin decd.
Teste: 8. II. LOVING. clerk.
A Copy Teste:
w. ]. KIDD clerk"
|