Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1881 — CURIOUS HISTORICAL RELIC. [ARTICLE]

CURIOUS HISTORICAL RELIC.

The Lail Will and Testament of the Mother of George Washington. Mr. Charles A Thornton, of Kittrell. N. 0., has in his possession the original draft of the last will and testament of Mrs. May Washington, the mother of George Washington. It is an old document, almost illegible with age, and threatening to crumble to pieces by handling. The following ia a copy of this interesting document: In the name of God—Amen.—l, May Washington, of Fredericksburg, in the county of Spotsylvania, being in good health, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this Life, and willing to dispose of my Worldly Estate, do make and Publish this my last Will, recommending my Soul into the Hands of my Creator, hoping for the remission of all my Sins, through the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ, the Savior of Mankind. I dispose of all my Worldly Estate as follows: Imprimis.—l give to my Son, General George Washington, tul my Lands on Accokeek Run, in the County of Stafford, and also my negro boy George, to him and his Heirs forever; also my best bed, bedding and Virginia Cloth Curtains (the same that stand in my best room), my quilted blue and White Quilt and my best dressing glass. Item.—l give and devise to my Son, Charles Washington, my negro num Tom, to him and his Assigns for Ever. Item.—J give and de vise to my Daughter, Betty Lewis, my Phaeton and my bay horse. Item.—l give and devise to my Daughter in Law, Hanna Washington, my purple Cloth Cloak lined with Shag. Item. —I give and devise to my Grund Son, Corbin Washington, my negro Wench Old Bet, my riding Chair, and two black horses, to him and bis Assigns for Ever. Item. —I give and devise to my grand Son, Fielding Lewis, my negro man Frederick, to him and his Assigns for ever; also mv Eight Silver table Spoons, half of my Crockery Ware, and the blew and White Tea China, my Walnut book Case, ovel Table, one Bed, bod stead, one Pr. Sheets, one Pr. blankets, and White Cotton Counterpain, Two table Oloaths, Six Red Leather Chairs, half of my peuter, and one-half of my Iron Kitchen Furniture. Item.—l give and devise to my grand Son, Lawrence Lewis, my negro Wench Lydia, to him and his Assigns for ever. Item.—l give and devise to my granddaughter, Betty Carter, my negro Woman Little Bet, and her future increase, to her and her Assigns for ever, also my largest looking-glass, my Walnut Writing Desk—with Drawers—and square and Dining Table, one bed, Bed Stead, bolster and pillows, one blanket, one Pr. Sheets, White Virginia Cloth Counterpain and purple curtains, my Red and White China, tea spoons, and the other half of my pewter, Crockery Ware, and the remauider of my iron Kitchen Furniture. Item.—l gave to my grand son, Geo. Washington, my next best Dressing Glass, and Bed, Bed Stead, bolster, one pillow, one blanket, one pair Sheets and Counterpain. Item. —I. devise all my wearing a:>parel to be equally divided between my grand Daughters, Betty Carter, Funny all and Millie Washington, but should my Daughter, Betty Lewis, fancy any one, two or three articles, She is to have them before a division thereof. Lastly—l nominate and appoint my said son, Gen. George Washington, executor of this my Will—and as I owe few or no debts—l direct my executor to give no security, nor to appraise iny estate, but desire the the same inuy be alloted to my devisees with as little trouble und delay as may be, desiring their acceptance thereof as all the token of my love I now have to give them. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of May, 1780. [n; s.] May Washington. Signed, sealed and published in the presence, and signed by us in the presence of the sd. May Washington, and at her desire. Witnesses —John Forney Hough, Jas. Meever, Joseph Walker.