West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-12-29
AN OLD WILL.
That Of Major General Charles Lee
OF The Revolutionary War-A
Historic Document.

monwealth of Virginia, being in per
feet health and OF sound mind, con
sidering the certainty of death, and
the uncertainty of the time it may
happen, have determined to make
this my last will and testament in
manner following, that is to say:
give and bequeath to Alexander
White, Esq, One Hundred Guineas
In consideration of the zeal and in
tegrity he has displayed in the ad.
ministration Of my affairs; also the
choice of any two of my colts or
hllies under four years of age. Item
i give and bequeath to Charles
Minor Thurston, Esq, Fifty Gui-
meas in consideration of his good
qualities and the friendship he has
manifested for me; and TO Buckner
Thurston, his son, l leave all my
Books as know he will make good
use Of them. To my good friend
John Minor, Esq, Of Marlborough
in Virginia give and bequeath the
choice of two Brood Mares, of all
my swords and pistols, and ten
Guineas to buy a Ring. / would
give him more, but as he has n good
estate and better genius he has suf
icient il he knows how to make
a good use OF them. | give and
bequeath to my former Aid de Camp
Otway Reid, Esq, the choice of
another Brood Mare, and ten Gui-
meas for the same purpose of a re
memberance Ring. | give and be
queath TO my worthy friend Colonel
William Grayson, of Dumfries, the
second choice of two colts, and TO
my excellent friend VIM. Steptoe of
Virginia, | would leave great deal,
but as he is now so rich il would be
no less than robbing my other friends
who are poor, ! therefore entreat he
will only accept five Guineas, which
| bequeath TO him to buy ring Of
affection. bequeath TO my old and
faithful servant or rather humble
friend Cuisippi Minghini Three
Hundred Guineas, with all my
horses and colts of every kind, those
above mentioned excepted, likewise
all my wearing apparel and Plate,
my wagon and tools of agriculture,
and his choice Of four milch cows.
| bequeath to Elizabeth Dunn, my
housekeeper, One Hundred GuIneas
and my whole stock of cattle, the
four milch COWS above mentioned
only excepted.
l had almost forgot my dear friend
(and / ought to be ashamed of it)
Mrs. Shippen, her son Thomas
Shippen, and Thomas Lee. Esq, of
Belle View, beg they will accept
ten Guineas each to buy Rings of
affection.
My landed estate in Berkley,
devise may be divided into three
equal parts according to quality and
quantity. One-third part / devise
to my dear friend Jacob Morris 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 | devise to Eleazer Oswald at
present of Philadelphia and William
Goddard of Baltimore to whom l
am under obligations, and to their
heirs and assigns to be evually di.
vided between them, but these de-
visees are not 10 enter until they
have paid off the several legacies
above mentioned with interest from
the time of death, and all taxes
which may he due on my estate.
In case should sell my said landed
estate l bequeath the price thereof
after paying the above legacies, to
the said Jacob Morris, Evan Ed
wards, Eleazer Oswald and William
Goddard, in the proportions above
mentioned.
All my other property Of every
kind and in every part Of the world,
after my decesse, funeral expenses
and necessary expenses Of admins.
tration are paid, / give devise and
bequeath to my sister Sidney Lee,
her heirs and assigns forever.
desire most earnestly that / may
not be buried in any Church or
Churchyard, or within mile Of any
Pfesbyteuan or Aua-Baptist Meet
ing house, for since / have resided
in this Country, I have kept so much
bad company when living, that do
not choose to continue il when dead.
recommend my soul TO the
Creator Of all worlds and Of all
creatures, who must from his visible
attributes be Indifferent to their
modes Of worship or creeds, wheth
er Christians, Mohamedans, or
Jews, whether instilled by education
or taken mp by reflection; whether
more or less abound; as a weak NOR.
Ia! can no more be answerable for
his pufsuss'ons, notions, or even
skepticism in Religion, than for the
color Of his skin.
And ! do appoint the above men
TONED Alexander White and Charles
NJ Thurston, Executors Of nv last
will and testament, and do revoke
all other wills by me heretofore
made.
In witness whereof have hereun
90 set my hand and seal this the
day in the Year Of our Lord
One Thousand Seven Hundred and
Eighty