Will of John Harrison Mays-Feb.1919-WB 2 Pg. 597

In the name of God Amen: I, John Harrison Mays, of near Salt Petre Cave, Botetourt County, Virginia, being of sound mind, do make and publish, this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any previous will or codicil thereto, which may have hereto been made by me, viz; First: I give and bequeath all of my estate, be the same real, personal or mixed, to my mother Letitia B. Mays, to own and control and to do with as she see fit, other than to dispose of any of my real estate of which I may die seized, and this estate go absolutely in fee simple in the following manner, viz; two thirds to the heirs at law of J. W. Mays and one third to the heirs at law of Letita B. Mays, with the right on the part of Latitia B. Mays to designate by will, any particular one of her heirs at law who shall receive the entire one third herein named- Second- I name and appoint my said mother, Letitia B. Mays, as my executrix and request that she be allowed to qualify as such without the requirement of any bond- Given under my hand and seal this the 28th day of February 1919-
                                                                                John Harrison Mays    (seal)
We certify that John Harrison Mays subscribed his signature to the foregoing will in our prescent and we and each of us subscribed our names to the certificate in the presence of each other and in the presence of said John Harrison Mays.
Given under our hand this the 28th day of February 1919
                                                                           H. G. Anderson
                                                                           J.  F. Thomas
In the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Botetourt County March 30, 1920
An instrument of writing bearing date February 28, 1919, purporting to be the last will and testament of John Harrison Mays, deceased, was this day produced to me, in my office, and fully proven according to law, by the oath of H.G. Anderson, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, who testified that the said instrument of writing was executed by the testator, and acknowledged by him as his last will and testament in the presence of the said H.G. Anderson and of J.F. Thomas, in the presence of, and at the request of the testator, and in the presence of each other, signed their names thereto as attesting witnesses and that the said testator was of sound mind and memory, whereupon the said instrument of writing is admitted to record as the last will and testament of the said John Harrison Mays, deceased.
                                                                       Turner McDowell, Clerk