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The Will of Mary Washington
IN THE NAME OF GOD! AMEN ---- I Mary Washington, of Fredericksburg,
in the County of Spotsylvania, being in good health, but calling to mind
the uncertianty of this Life, and willing to dispose of what remains of
my worldly Estate, do make & Publish this my last will, recommending my
Soul into the Hands of my Creator, hoping for a remission of all my
Sins through the merits & meditation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of
mankind; I dispose of all my worldly Estate as follows:
Imprimis, I give to my Son General George Washington all my Lands on
Accokeek Run, in the County of Stafford, & also my Negroe Boy George
to him & his heirs forever; also my best bed, bedstead, and Virginia
cloth Curtians (the same that stands in my best Room), my quilted
blue & white Quilt, & my best dressing Glass.
Item. I give and devise to my Son Charles Washington my Negroe man Tom,
to him and his assigns forever.
Item. I give and devise to my Daughter Betty Lewis my Phaeton and my
bay Horse.
Item. I give and devise to my Daughter in Law Hannah Washington my
purple Cloath cloak lined with Shag.
Item. I give and devise to my grand Son Corbin Washington my Negroe man
Frederick, to him and his assigns forever; also eight Silver table
Spoons, half of my Crockery ware, and athe blue and white Tea china,
with book Case, Oval Table, one Bed, bedstead, one pr. sheets, one
pr. blankets and white cotton Counterpaine -- two table-cloaths, six
red leather Chairs, half my pewter, and one-half of my Iron kitchen
Furniture.
Item. I give and devise to my grandson Lawrence Lewis my Negroe wench Lydia,
to him and his assigns forever.
Item. I give and devise to my granddaughter Betty Carter my Negroe woman
little Bet and her future increase, to her and her assigns forever --
also my largest looking Glass, my walnut writing Desk with Drawers, a
square dining Table, one Bed, Bedstead, bolster, one pillow, one blanket
and pr. sheets, white Virginia Cloth Counterpaine and purple curtians, my
red & white tea China, tea Spoons, and the other half of my pewter,
Crockery ware, and the remainder of my Iron kitchen Furniture.
Item. I give to my grand Son George Washington my next best dressing Glass, one
Bed, Bedstead, bolster, 1 pillow, 1 pair sheets, 1 blanket and Counterpaine.
Item. I devise all my wearing apparel to be equally divided between my grand
Daughters Betty Carter, Fanny Ball, and Milly Washington -- but should my
Daughter Betty Lewis fancy any one, two or three Articles, she is to have
them before a division thereof.
Lastly. I nominate and appoint my said Son General George Washington Executor of
this my will, and as I owe few or no debts I direct my Executor to give no
Security -- nor to appraise my Estate, but desire the same may be allotted
to my Devisees with as little trouble & delay as may be -- desiring their
acceptance thereof as all the Token I now have to give them of my Love for them.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this 20th day of May, 1788.
Mary Washington (Seal)
Witness: John Ferneyhough.
Signed, sealed, and published in our
presence, and signed by us in the presence
of the said Mary Washington and at her
desire.
Jas. Mercer
Joseph Walker
_____________________________________
At a Court of Hustings, held for the town and Corporation of Fredericksburg the 23d day of
October, 1789-- The last will and testament of Mary Washington, deceased, was proved by the
oath of James Mercer,Esq., one of the witnesses thereto, and ordered to be certified.
Teste: Jno. Chew, C.C.H.
At a Court of Hustings, held for the town and Corporation of Fredericksburg the 22d day of
October, 1804-- The last will and testament of Mary Washington, deceased, was further proved
by the oath of Joseph Walker, another witness thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Teste: Jno. Chew, C.C.H.
