Last
Will and Testament of Moses Higginbotham (ca1760-1826)
Tazewell
Co., VA
Transcribed
by William Morris Higginbotham
Charleston,
WV
2001
Will
Book 1 Page 211-212
I
Moses Higginbotham of Tazewell County and State of Virginia being of sound and
disposing mind and memory do make publish and declare this to be my last will
and testament.
First,
I will and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Betsey Higginbotham after the
payment of my debts all my property both real and personal during her natural
life, so long as she remains single.
Confirming unto my son Joseph Higginbotham the gift of land made to him
by me. Beginning
at the white oak corner running with fence to the corner of the meadow, running
up the fence to the dry branch to the water gap, thence to the walnut stump
joining the said Joseph Higginbotham’s own fence.
In case my wife Betsey should marry after my decease, I will and bequeath
unto her an equal portion of my estate, with each of my children, after the
death of my said wife, Betsey Higginbotham.
I give and bequeath all my land which I shall die possessed of to my
three children.
George Higginbotham, I will to him beginning at the big buckeye at the
water gap thence running to the lyn and walnut stump running the line to the
chestnut corner thence following the line to the head of the hollow opposite the
Chaffin barn thence running down the hollow to the barn, thence running round
the field, as the fence stands to the buckeye corner. Charles
and Thomas Higginbotham the balance of the old plantation divided to suit each
of them. Thomas
is to have the home place to them their kin and assigns forever. I
will the sugar (?) place to Moses and Aaron Higginbotham and their kin and
assigns forever.
It is my desire that all my children should receive an equal part of my
estate and those children who have received no portion of my property should
receive an equal part with the others beside an equal share of the remainder of
my estate in order to place them all on an equally as it respects the property
which I bequeath them. I
will to my daughter Francis to her and her heirs of her body lawfully begotten a
Negro girl named Sall. I
will to my daughter Jane to her and her heirs of her body lawfully begotten, a
Negro girl named Sophia. I
will to my daughter Rachael to and her heirs of her own body lawfully begotten,
a Negro girl named Emily.
If the children all can agree, Stephin can choose his own master among
the children if he behaves himself.
Finally I appoint my sons William Higginbotham and son Joseph
Higginbotham Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I
here unto set my hand and seal this 27th day of October 1826.
Signed, sealed, published and delivered in the presence of
James
Stephenson
David
Belcher
Joshua
Belcher
Moses
Higginbotham [his mark]
November
Term 1826
The
above was proven in Court and ordered to be recorded, appraised, appointed,
Executors gave Bond and were sworn.
Book page 103
John Goodall
Will
Book 1 Page 234
In
the County Court of Tazewell, September Term 1827, William Higginbotham and
Joseph Higginbotham, Executors of Moses Higginbotham deceased ????? of said
estate which is ordered to be recorded.
Will
Book 1 Page 243
Pursuant
to a Commission from the County Court of Tazewell directing us to divide a part
of the personal estate of Moses Higginbotham, deceased, equally between the
heirs of said Higginbotham we have valued the slaves surrendered to us for that
purposes by Elizabeth Higginbotham, widow of said Moses Higginbotham, deceased,
in the following manner, viz, Eqypt at $400, Amy and child at $333.34, Milly at
$290, Addam at $325.34, Pleasant at $308.34, Sampson at $175, Henry at $175, and
the heirs of said Moses Higginbotham, deceased, all being present, to wit,
William, Moses, James, Joseph, George, Aaron, Charles, Thomas and Rachel
Higginbotham and Balaam Boling and Francis his wife, late Francis Higginbotham,
Samuel C. Sawyers and Jane his wife, late Jane Higginbotham, and Elizabeth
Higginbotham guardian for Thomas and Rachel, infants, consented and agreed to
and divided the above slaves as follows:
Joseph, Milly at $305; Moses, Addam at $350; James, Eqypt at $321.22 and
Amy and child at $333.34; Aaron, Pleasant at $335; Thomas, Henry at $182.73,
that being the amount of each heir.
Interest in the above slaves agreeable to the above valuation and
Charles, Sampson at $182.73, given under our hands this 23rd Day of
June, 1828.
Henry
Bowen
William
Thompson
William
Barnes