The Will of Joseph Beach

Accomack County Wills 1818-1819:119
Transcribed by Gail M. Walczyk

In the named of God Amen I Joseph Beach of the County of Accomack and State of Virginia being sick and weak in body but of sound and desposing memory for which I thank God and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such Worldly Estate as it pleased God to bless me with I will the same in manner following to wit
1st I devise that all the perishable part of my Estate and a Negro woman by name tamer be immediately sold after my decease and out of the monies arising thereon all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.
2nd I leave unto my loving wife Elizabeth one third of my real Estate during her natural life and such part of my personal Estate as the law provides.
3rd It is my will and desire that after the decease of my wife my land be equally divided between my two daughters Ann and Margaret which I give them and their heirs forever but in case both of them should died without lawful issue I will it to my two brothers John and William and their heirs forever.
4th I devise unto my eldest daughter Ann a Negro girl by name Rosa to her and her heirs forever but in case my said daughter should died without lawfull issue I give the said Negro girl Rosa and her offspring unto my living wife and her heirs forever.
5th I devise unto my daughter Margaret a Negro boy Nathaniel to her and her heirs forever but in case my said daughter Margaret should die without lawful issue I give the said Negro Nathaniel unto my brother William and his heirs forever.
All the rest of my personal Estate of what of kind soever it may be not here particularly deposed of I desire it may be equally divided among my children here in before named which I give them their heirs forever and fully I do hereby constitute and appoint me Brother John Beach and friend James G_____ Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or former wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twelfth day Sept 1 eighteen hundred and eighteen.

Joseph Beach

Signed Sealed and declared
as and for this last will and
testament of the above named
Joseph Beach on presence of us
James J. Teakle
Smith Martin
John Harmon
At a Court for Accomack County on the 26th day of October 1818 this last will and testament of Joseph Beach dec'd was proved by the oath of Smith Martin and John Harmon witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of John S. Beach one of the Executors therein named taking oath and giving bond according to Law in the sum of five thousand dollars with Henry Stewart, Smith Martin and Smith Ashby securities thereto probate granted.

Teste Richard D. Bayly Clk

© Copyright 2005 by Gail M. Walczyk