Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-09-01
An Eccentric Generals Will.

!
found the original will of Maj.-Gen.
Charles Lee, one of the five major
generals appointed by the Continental
Congress, and who was next in COM
mand to General George Washington
during the Revolutionary War until
the Battle of Monmouth, where he
was reprimanded and ordered to the
rear by General Washington. He was
subsequently court martialed and
found guilty of disobedience, mlsbe-
havior before the enemy and disre-
spect to the Commander-in- Chief, and
was suspended for year. Later he
was dismissed from the service by Con-
gress. After his discharge from the
army Lee returned to his estate, which
he had purchased in l774, near Lee
town, Jefferson county, then in Berke-
ley county. His neighbors and asso-
ciates were Maori Generals Adam Ste
phens and Horatio Gates, who, like
Lee, had been court -martialed and de-
prived Of their commands. General
Lee was an Englishman. He entered
the military service when youth,
and later served with Braddock in his
disastrous campaign against theFrench
and Indians. He died in Philadelphia
at the "Slate-Roof House on October
2, 1882. The following is the will Of
the eccentric General;
Il, Major-General Charles Lee, of
the County Of Berkeley, in the Com
monwealth of Virginia, being in per-
feet health and sound mind, consider
ing the certainty of death and the un-
certainty of the time it may happen,
have determined to make this my last
will and testament in the following
manner
That is to say, I give and bequeath
to Alexander White, Esq, 100 guineas
in consideration of the zeal and integ-
rity he has displayed in the admins
tration of my affairs; also the choice
of any two of my colts or fllies under
years Of age.
"Item-I give and bequeath to
Charles MINI Thurston, Esq. so gum
eas in consideration of his good quail
ties and the friendship he has mani
tested for me and to Buckner Thur
ston, his son, leave all my books, as
| know he will make good use Of them.
To my good friend John Mercer, Esq,
of Marlborough, in Virginia, l give
and bequeath the choice of two brood
mares, all of my swords and pistols,
and 10 guineas to buy ring. lwould
give him more, but, as he has good
estate and a better genius, he has suf-
ficient if he knows how to make good
use of them. I give and bequeath to
my former aide-de-camp, Otway Bird,
the choice of another brood mare, and
10 guineas for the same purpose of a
remembrance ring. l give and be-
oueath to my worthy friend Col. Will
lam Grayson, of Dumfries, the second
choice of two colts, and to my excel
lent friend William Steptoe, Of Vir-
ginia, | would leave great deal, but
as he is now so rich it would be no less
than robbing my other friends who are
poor. |, therefore, entreat he will
only accept of five guineas, which l
bequeath to him to purchase a ring Of
affection. bequeath to my old and
faithful servant, or, rather, humble
friend, ,Giusippi Minghini, 800 guineas,
with all my horses, mares and colts Of
every kind, those above mentioned ex-
cepted; likewise all my wearing aP-
parel and plate, my wagons and tools
of agriculture, and his choice of four
mich cows.
"I bequeath TO Elizabeth Dun, my
housekeeper, 100 guineas and my whole
stock of cattle (the four mich cows
above mentioned only excepted. l
had almost forgot my dear friends
(and I ought to be ashamed Of i)
Mrs. Shipper, her son, Thomas Ship
pen, and Thomas Lee, esq, of Belle
View. I beg they will accept 10
guineas each to buy rings Of affection.
"My landed estate in Berkeley de-
sire may be divided in three equal
parts according to quality and guam
tity. One third part 1 devise to my
dear friend Jacob Morros, of Philadel-
phia one other third part to Evan
Edwards, both my former aides-de-
camp, and to their heirs and assigns.