Will of John Zachary of Madison County, VA--1797
Here is a copy of the will of John Zachary of Madison County, VA.It was presented at court in Madison on September 28, 1797.It is found in Will Book # 1 in the Clerk's Office of Madison County.
In the name of God, Amen.I John Zachary of the County of Madison being sound in mind tho infirm in Body, do make and constitute this my last Will and Testament. Imprimis.I lend to my dearly beloved Wife Ann during her natural Life or so long as she continues in a State of Widowhood, all and every part of that Tract or Parcel of Land on which I lived, together with that Tract I bought of William Booton.
Item: I lend in the same manner to my said wife Ann, Three Negroes, viz: James, Frank and Fanny.
Item: I lend in like manner to my said Wife a third part of all my other personal Estate except Negroes.
Item: I give to my Son William after the Decease of my said Wife all and every part of that tract or parcel of Land on which I lived together with that Tract I bought of William Booton to him and his Heirs forever.
Item: I give the Residue of my Estate except what I have loaned to my said Wife, to be equally divided among all of my children. Viz: Betty, Esther, Hannah, Mille, Sally, Benjamin, and William to them and their Heirs forever,
Item: It is my desire that that part of my personal Estate which I havemade a loan of to my said wife Ann should be equally divided among my Children as mentioned above at her Decease.
Item: It is my desire that should either of the Negroes which I have made a loan of to my Wife Ann should die before her that the Legatees shall jointly and severally furnish another of equal Value as long as my said Wife lives.
Item: It is my desire that the Land which I have loaned to my Wife Ann should not be cultivated by any Person except those Negroes and their Increase I have also loaned to my said Wife and any one Person that she mayemploy to overlook them.
Lastly, I appoint Benjamin Zachary and Reubin Beal Executors to this my last Will and Testament.
To which last Will and Testament I do set my hand this 6th day of March 1794---
John (his mark)Zachary
Teste
Judith Beal
Samuel (his mark) Rouse
Robert Beal