WILL OF RICHARD ELSON - 1804

************************************************************************
Submitted by Rowena (Elson) Drennan
in September, 2001 - r0wena44@webtv.net
************************************************************************
>In the Name of God. Amen. I, Richard Elson, of Brooke County, and the State of Virginia, being
very sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and well disposing mind and memory, do hereby make this my last will and testament.
>In the first place, I desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be honestly and punctually paid.
>Secondly, to my beloved sons, Richard Turner Elson, John Harris Elson, Archibald Henson Elson, and my beloved daughter, Ruth Baxter, I leave each one dollar, having given them already as much as is consistent with equal distribution of my estate.
>Thirdly, I leave to my beloved wife, Mary, the possession, use and profits of my mansion house, and farm during her natural life or widowhood, also all my personal property in like manner.
>Fourthly, I leave to my beloved son, William Elson, all my land and houses and other real property, after the expiration of his mother, eight in all them above stated, also the gray mare, saddle and bridle, which I have heretofore given him, likewise bequeath to him one-fourth of all the personal property belonging to the estate, at the death or marriage of his mother.
>Fifthly, I bequeath to my grandson, Richard Baxter, (son of Captain Edmond Baxter) the horse, saddle and girdle which I have already given him, and likewise three-fourths of all the personal property belonging to the estate at the death or marriage of his Grandmother.
>Sixthly, it is my will and request that matters may be so ordered between my dear wife, my son William, and grandson Richard Baxter, that the two young men may have an equal interest in the income of the farm until the said Richard Baxter shall have attained the age of twenty-five years and before that period of time, I wish the same arrangement to continue between my son and grandson on until that time so that the latter if
industrious and prudent, may be able to purchase land for his future settlement.
>Seventhly, I hereby appoint and constitute my sons, John Harris Elson and Archibald Henson Elson, joint executors of this my last will and statement, and it is my correct request that if a dispute shall arise between any of the persons interested in my estate, that my executors may settle it between themselves and by the assistance of a third person, as they may think proper, and that the parties concerned abide by such decision.
>Sealed and signed and delivered as his last will and testament this 4th day of December, 1804.

Richard Elson

In the presence of John Edington, Jos. Doddridge, and Samuel Meeks

Copied by Emma E. Lewis, Brooke County, West Virginia Court House Records.