Will of John S. Mays
Pittsylvania County Will Book
1, Page 211
In the name of the Lord, I John
S. Mays, being of Sound mind and disposing Memory make this my last Will and
Testament. In the first place I Will and desire that all my Just debts and
funeral expenses be paid out of the money arrising from the sale of my
perishable (?) estate money, bonds, and accounts. Secondly, I Will and desire
that my Land on the north west Side of the Lynchburg Road together with my two
tracts of land on the north side of Banister river in the County of
Pittsylvania with the appurtenances thereto belonging be sold. Thirdly I give
to my beloved wife Patsey Mays all my Estate during her natural life or
widowhood and if she should Marry then I will and desire that my Estate be divided
equally between my children, to wit Edwin, Emily, Salley, Minnerva and
Livingston to them and to their Lawful heirs of their body forever. Fourthly I
Will and desire that if my wife Patsey Mays thinks best to move out of the
State She Shall be at Liberty to do so and in that event I desire that all my
Land be Sold. Fifthly I appoint my wife Patsey Mays my executrix and John
Dougless my Executor of this my last Will and Testament. I further will and
desire that no security should be requested of my Executrix or Executor. In
testimony whereof I have affixed my hand and seal this 19th day of
February 1832.
John S. Mays, his seal
Witnesses
Raleigh White Jr.
Ste. Coleman
William Molley
At a court held for Pittsylvania
County the 16th day of April 1832. This last Will and Testament of
John S. Mays Deceased was presented in court and proved by the oaths of Stephen
Coleman and William Molley, two of the subscribing witnesses and ordered to be
recorded ~ and on motion of John Douglass the executor therein named who made
oath thereto according to Law and acknowledged bond in the penalty of Twenty
Thousand Dollars conditioned as the Law directs, certificate was granted him
for obtaining a probate of said Will in due form and leave was reserved for the
Executrix in the said will named to join in the probate when she may think fit
~
Teste
William Tunstall CC