Last Will and Testament of Edward Ker - 28 September 1788

Last Will and Testament of Edward Ker - 28 September 1788 - Transcribed by Gail M. Walczyk
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In the name of God Amen I Edward Ker of Accomack County being in perfect health and enjoying my senses & memory ready in as great perfection as ever, do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following Vizt.

Imprimis I give and bequeath my soul to almighty God who gave it hoping thereunto the merits of Jesus Christ the Lord of glory to inherit eternal life. My body I desire may be decently interred at the discretion of my Executors

2dly I give and bequeath unto my loving wife the land and plantation whereon I dwell containing three hundred and fifty acres for and during he natural life and at her decease unto my son George and his heirs forever, I likewise give unto my wife for and during the term of her natural life he choice of three of the house servants, and six working Negroes, the Pharton and horses, three other horses fit for the plough, Ten head of Cattle, Twelve head of Sheep and twenty head of hogs, One yoke oxen and Cart and wheels all the household and kitchen furniture, three plaws two harrows & all the neat provisions in the house laid up for family use with corn enough to suport her family for one year and at her decease I give and bequeath what may remain of the above recited particulars and their increase to be equally divided amongst my surviving sons.

3dly I give and bequeath unto my son George the plantation bought of Thomas H. Parker containing One hundred and seventy five acres to him and his heirs with a priviledge of getting timber for the support of his lands from the lands bought of Edmund Poulson and John Littleton Harman,

4th I give and bequeath unto my son John Sheppard three hundred acres of the land bought of James Core with the houses, Orchards to him and his heirs forever, the line dividing him and his brother Hugh to be the branch runing into the head of Pungoteague below the land leased to Robert Twiford

5thly I give and bequeath unto my son Hugh all the lands bought of James Broughton as contained in three Deeds being one hundred and nine acres, and all the surplus Over three hundred of the land bought of James Core Supposed to be about ninety eight acres to be laid off at that part of the land where Betty Mahone lives and including that house. I likewise give unto my said son the land or plantation bought of Michael R. Tatham these tree several tracts I give and bequeath to my said son Hugh and his heirs forever.

6thy I give and bequeath unto my son Edward and his heirs forever all the lands I now hold or may die possessed of in the County of Northampton, and the lands in Accomack bought of John and Littleton Harman and Edmund Poulson.

7thly I give and bequeath unto my three daughters Jean Scarbough, Catharine Christina and Ann Revel the lands I hold in Gloucester containing two hundred and forty three and one quarter acres to be disposed of by them as they and their husbands shall see fit and to each of them a suit of mourning ---

9thly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Ker the sum of five hundred pounds to be paid in two Negro girls and one Negro boy as the appraised value and in stock and household furniture at the value, or in bonds that are good.

10thly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Isabel the sum of five hundred pounds to be paid in two Negro girls and one Negro Boy as the appraised value and in stock or household furniture at the value, or in such bonds as are good.

11thly It my will and desire all my just debts be paid John Coall's claim is unjust and a claim made by the Exors Saule _____ of Philadelphia is unjust, neither of which ought to be paid, and what lands I now hold or may die possessed of not given away in this will, I will to be sold and the money arising therefrom and the residue and remainder of my estate to be equally divided between my four sons George John Sheppard Hugh and Edward, but should any of my said sons die before they arrive to lawful age I will and bequeath the Estate given such son in this my last will be equally divided among the survivors

Lastly I appoint my wife Executrix and my sons George and John Sheppard, Executors of this my last will and Testament written the Seventeenth day of May Anno Dom: one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Six

Edward Ker

Codicil No 1. To this my last will and Testament I revoke the fifth gift in my will to my son Hugh & in lew thereof will and bequeath unto my said son Hug all the land and plantation near the Courthouse bought of the Estate of Severn Guthridge with the lots in the court yard, also the lots held in joint tenancy with Catherine Scott to him & his heirs forever. In lew of the land bought of John & Littleton Harmanson and Edmund Polson given unto my son Edward Ker in the seventh gift of my will which I shall hereafter or other wise dispose of, I give and bequeath unto my said son Edward the land and plantation bought of Michael Rickets Tatham lying and being on the Northside of Andua to him & his heirs forever I give unto my son John Sheppard the remainder of the land purchased of James Core being about ninety eight acres and thirteen acres lying below the main road --- purchased of James Broughton to him and his heirs forever It is my will and desire that my daughter Margaret have her board with either of my sons she may incline to live with or should she choose to board elsewhere I will and bequeath her twelve pounds per annum while she may remain unmarred to be paid by my for sons three pounds each. It is my will and desire that the representatives of my daughter Ann Revell deceased Should have an equall share with my daughter Jain Scarburgh and Catharine Christina. It is my will and desire that the three thousand pounds out in as a stock wt my two sons George and John Sheppard, shall remain and continue as a joint stock to the end of the proposed term of five years without any charge for Interest. The lands purchased of John and Littleton Harman also those of Edmund Poulson I will and bequeath should be equally divided between my four sons - September 28th 1788
Edward Ker

Signed & Sealed in presence of
Reavel Watson, George Pearson Rosy Harman

At a District Court held at Accomack courthouse the 18th day of October 1790 This last will of Edward Ker deceased with a Codicil thereto annexed were offered to proof by George Ker and John Sheppard Ker the Executors in the said will mentioned and it appearing by the Oaths of John Wise Jabez Pitt and Edmund Bayly Junr that the said will was wholly written by the Testator himself and the said codicil being being proved by the Oaths of Revill Watson and Rosy Harman are witnesses thereto, the said will and codicil are ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said George and John Sheppard Ker a certificate is granted them to obtaining a probat of the said will and codicil, they having taken the Oath of an Executor and with Edmund Bayly Junr. Edward Revill Peter Hack & George Parker their securities entered into and acknowledged a Bond in the penalty of Twenty thousand pounds conditioned as the law directs
Test
Benjamin Pollard CDC

Sources:

_____. Accomack County Virginia District Court Orders 1789-1797, pp. 20-26.

© Copyright 2010-2012 by Gail M. Walczyk