Will
of
Robert Preston, Sr.,
Son of
John Preston of
Walnut Grove, VA
I,
Robert Preston, of the County of Washington, and the State of Virginia, being aged and infirm in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory, for which I thank God, and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with, I do hereby make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say: I leave and bequeath to my daughter Jennie Preston, wife of Robert Preston, Jr., my negro woman named "Kate", and the said Kate's son, James. I leave and bequeath to the two sons of Jennie Preston, to wit, Alexander R. Preston and John F. Preston, all of my tract of land lying on Opossom Creek in Scott County, to be equally divided between the said Alexander R. and John F. Preston. I leave and bequeath to Alexander R. Preston $200. I leave and bequeath to my good, kind and loving wife, Sarah G. Preston, my negro boy named Moses. A good horse worth at least $70, three cows, her choice out of my stock, one bed, her choice of all the beds in my house and her choice of furniture for said bed, my bureau, one-third of my table linen and one-half of the cupboard furniture, one good trunk and all of her wearing apparel clothes. Also, 120 acres of land lying on the head of Locust Branch in Washington County, and adjoining the land of James Anderson and Andrew Dennison. I leave and bequeath to John Preston (Irish) $300.00. I leave and bequeath to Robert F. Preston, son of John Preston, fifteen shares of stock in the United States Bank with its proceeds.I give to Edward Latham of Washington Co., his Executors or Administrators, in trust for the use and benefit of Margaret Fickle and her issue, my negro woman named Ann and her three female children and her future increase; $500 and bed and furniture such as have been common in my house, and a tract of land lying on Dudley's Branch in Lee County containing 278 acres, to be appropriated to the use of the said Margaret Fickle and her issue as her and their necessities or interests may require, and I positively require that the said Edward Latham, his Executors and Administrators, shall so manage the devise here made to him for the use and benefit of the said Margaret Fickle and her issue, that her husband, Abram, shall at no time have any control over the same nor derive any use or benefit therefrom, and if the said Edward Latham shall refuse to act as trustee as aforesaid, I hereby authorize my Executor herein named, his Executors and Administrators to apply to the Court of Washington County to have a trustee appointed who shall perform the same duties and exercise the same powers herein required of and vested in the said Edward Latham. I leave and bequeath to Robert P. Fickle a horse to be worth $50 or $60, a new saddle and bridle of good quality, all of which is to be furnished when the said Robert P. Fickle comes to be 18 years of age.
I leave and bequeath to Sara G. Rhea, formerly Sarah G. Preston my negro girl named Nancy.
I leave and bequeath to my son, John Preston, all the balance of my property whatsoever nature or kind it may be, both real and personal and not herein disposed of, and it is my wish and desire that as my estate is in no embarrassment, either by debt or otherwise, that no part thereof shall be valued or sold, and also that my Executor shall not be required to give bond and security. And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my son, John Preston, Executor of this my last Will and Testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this 21st day of November, 1832.
(Signed) Robert Preston, S.S.
Witnesses:Jos. Carson, Walter E. Preston, Thomas L. Preston, Edward Latham.
(The will was probated in Court Dec. 23, 1833.)
Original 8/4/97
Last updated 4/13/2007
Page by F. Preston