The following is the will of John Carpenter, son of George Carpenter Jr and
Elizabeth Boyer. The will was burned and rerecorded--hence the "+'s" on
the margins. If anyone knows why George P. Burtner would have an interest
in seeing that the will was rerecorded, please let me know. As far as I
can tell, they were not related, but both were millers.
Thanks to the wonderful clerk at the Rockingham Co courthouse for her help
and to my husband for typing the whole thing in for me!
Deb Wake
I, John Carpenter of the county of Rocking++++
the State of Virginia, being at present in the enjoyn+++
my mental faculties, mindful of the Shortness and im++++
of life do hereby make my last will and testament in +++
and form the following.
1st In the first place I command +++
Soul to God who gave it, trusting in his mercy and ++++
meritonous Sufferings of a crucified Savior for a joy++++
resurrection, and glorious immortality in the world to Come.
2nd In the next place I desires that ++++
personal property (except such as may be herein after Specials+++
devised) shall be sold, and all the Bonds, Notes, and accoun++++
owing to me, be collected, as soon after my death as convenient++++
may be done and and out of the money arrising therefor++++
my just debts, and funeral expenses be paid+++
3rd I desire that my Executor her in after++++
named, shall also sell at such time and upon such t++++
as he may deem expedient, all my lands in the State++++
Kentuckey and my tract of land in the County known++++
the Alford's tract
4th I give to my beloved wife Sarah+++
and during the term of her natural life all the trad++++
land on which I now reside and all the other land++++
thereto that I am entitled toI also give to her one+++
Dollars to be paid to her in cash immediately after++++
my death. I also give to her during her lifetime+++
choice of two Beds and one mdch? Cont. and such o++++
household and kitchen furniture as she may choose++++
helpand after her death I desire the same to be +++++
and the proceeds equally divided between my two child++++
William and Eliza.
5th I give and bequeath after the ++++
of my wife all the lands herein before given to her ++++
daughter Eliza the wife of Enos Keezle to have and ++++
the same during the term of her natural life and ++++
the death of my said daughter Eliza, I give and bequeath++++
lands to the heirs of her body and their heirs and assign+++++
6th I give and bequeath to my son William++++
Carpenter his heirs and assigns forever all my lands++++
mills on Smith creek in the County and also my two++++
of Land called known as the "Step" and the "Fridley" tract
I further give & bequeath to my said Son William Carpenter
sum of four thousand and seven hundred dollars.
7th and any balance of my estate++++
+++hat may remain after having all my debts funeral expen+++
the legacies herein before given to my wife and to my ++++
son William Carpenter whether accruing from ++++
+++residue of any estate real personal or other that I may+++
+++entitled to and not herein before disposed of I give to +++
my said Son and daughter (William Carpenter & Eliz. Keezle
to be equally divided between them.
8th Lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my said
son William Carpenter Executor of the my last will and
testament and it is my and desire that no security
is to be required of him. Hereby revoking all other or former
wills and testaments that I may heretofore have made. I
do hereby make decline and establish this as my last will
and testament, In witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal this 13th day of July 1841.
signature & seal
Signed sealed published and declared
by John Carpenter as and for his last
will and testament in the presence
and hearing of us who at his request have
subscribed our names as witnesses
S.H. Lewis
Charles Nicholas
Peter Koontz
Codicil In addition to the bequests to my son William Carpenter in
the foregoing will, I also give to him all my wearing apparel of every
sort. John Carpenter, (seal)
Teste
Saml H. Lewis
Charles Nicholas
Peter Koontz
Rockingham County January Court 1842
A writing purporting to be his last will and Testament of John
Carpenter Deceased was presented in Court and proved by the
oath of the witness thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion
of William Carpenter Executor named in the said will who enter-
ed into bond in the penalty of $20,000 the said will requiring no se-
ty to be given and made oath thereto as the law directs, a certif-
icate is granted him for obtaining a propate(?) thereof in due
form.
Teste
H.J. Gambell CRC