Will of Joseph Vaughan

Date: 1844 to 1849
Location: Hanover, Virginia, United States
Surnames/tags: Vaughan Boxley

The Will of Joseph Vaughan

I, Joseph Vaughan of the County of Hanover and State of Virginia, being of sound mind and memory (and I hope in a proper state of mind and feeling) do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament viz: I lend to my wife Catherine S. Vaughan, as long as she remains my widow, the profits of my whole estate, both real and personal, for the support of herself and my children, and their education, embracting (sic) all my lands, slaves, bonds due me and money on hand, crops, stocks, tools household furniture (etc.) subject to the following conditions. viz: whenever any of my children become of age or marry, they shall recieve (sic) each five hundred dollars either in money or slaves as may be most suitable or convenient to the parties or advantageous to them or to the estate (as I would myself were I living); And at the death of my wife, the remainder of my estate to be equally divided amongst all my children or their bodily heirs, Should my wife marry again, I wish a division of my property to be made equally between my wife and children, and my wife to take an equal portion with them (that is, she to take a child's part;) which she may dispose of as she may think proper--

And I do constitute and appoint my wife executrix to this my will, with full power and authority to recieve (sic) and pay debts, and do all necessary and proper acts as I myself would, except it be to dispose of my lands or slaves, which is hereby prohibited, and I do not require of her to give any security for her executrix ship mearly (sic) giving her individual bond for her faithful compliance with my will and wishes, as here pointed out--

As there may be some doubts about my will and wishes as above expressed, I will endeavor to explain them. My Wife to fill my place and carry on my affairs as I would do myself were I living as long as she remains my widow. If she marries again, divide the estate, and have suitable guardians appointed for the children all to have an equal amt: of property or money All made equal and all fair alike, but should any of the negroes become unruly or unprofitable or should the interest of my estate demand, or be promoted by selling any of them, do so, and apply the proceeds accordingly as I would do were I living.

In testimony whereof I do affix my hand and seal this 28th day of our Lord 1844.

Joseph Vaughan (seal)

Signed in the presence of ------

At a Court of Quarterly session held for Hanover County, at the Court House on Tuesday, the 23rd of October, 1849.

This last will and testament of Joseph Vaughan, dec'd was offered for proof by Catherine S. Vaughan the Executrix therein named; and there being no subscribing witnesses thereto, Bolling Vaughan and Peter N.H. Massie were sworn and examined who declare that they are well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Joseph Vaughan dec'd that they have examined the said will, and verily believe, the same to have been wholly written and subscribed by the said Joseph Vaughan, dec'd. Whereupon it is ordered to be recorded as the last will and testament of the said Joseph Vaughan dec'd--

Teste Wm. O. Winston C.H.G (C?)

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Transcribed by Molly Sokolow Hayden

Sources

• Hanover County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1831-1913. Larkin B Hancock vs. C S Vaughan, J H Vaughan, 1868-006. Local Government Records Collection, Hanover Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.