Will of John Mays
Bedford County Will Book 5, page 314
In the Name of God Amen. I John Mayse of
Bedford County and State of Virginia, Being now weak in body but have my
perfect reason and do consider myself as capable of exersising my mind as I
ever were: And I do hereby acknowledge this to be my last will and testament. I
first will and bequeath my soul to almighty God who gave it -- And after all my
just debts with my funeral charges are payed Which I desire to be done as soon
as convenient. I will and bequeath the remainder of my estate to my wife
Susannah Mayse so long as she remains my widow and after her discease I desire
that what remains of my estate both real and personal to my children here under
named (To Wit) I give unto my son Elijah Mayse one dolloar and No more. I give
unto my son Richard Mayse one dollar and no more, as I have already given them
there portion of my estate. And as I have given unequal Sums, to the remainder
of my children as follows (Viz) To Elizabeth Jourdan eighty-seven pounds
thirteen Shillings, to Sarah Board eighty-eight pounds sixteen shillings, to
Nancy Bobit eighty - nine pounds fourteen shillings, to John Mayse sixty three
pounds, to Susannah Gibbs thirty-five pounds fifteen shillings, to Rhoda
Jourdan fifteen pounds fifteen shillings, and to my son Jesse Mayze I have not
given any thing. I desire that my estate be so disposed of as to make all my
children above named an equal portion, with what Nancy Bobit have had given her
from me as above mentioned. Then if any remains of my estate it Shall be
equally divided between Elizabeth Jourdan Sarah Bourds heirs, Nancy Bobits
heirs and Children John Mayse, Susannah Gibbs, Rodah Jourdan and Jesse Mayse.
And I hereby constitute James Mayse and Leroy Jourdan Executors of this my Last
Will and testament. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal this 30th day of May in the Year of Our Lord 1817.
Assigned in the presents of John Jeter, Simon
Miller, Richard Bradley, James Mayse.
At
a Court held for Bedford County at the Courthouse the 26th day of
Novr. 1821 This Last Will and testament of John Mayse Decd. was exhibited in
Court and proved by the oath of John Jeter and James Mayse two subscribing
Witnesses thereto and ordered to be Recorded and on the Motion of Leroy Jourdan
one of the executors therein Named who made oath and gave bond and security
according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in
due form, Liberty being reserved the other executor to join in the probate
whenever he shall think fit.