Last Will and Testament of James Higginbotham (ca1835-1896) WV
Transcribed by William Morris Higginbotham
Charleston, WV
2001
Last Will and Testament of James Higginbotham. Admitted to Probate Sept. 2, 1896
In the name of God I James Higginbotham of Wetzel County and State of West Virginia being of sound mind and memory and being convinced of the uncertainty of life as on the fifteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety six do make publish and declare this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made to be in manner and form as follows.
First: I desire that out of my property all my legal debts shall be paid and that myself and my wife, Mahala Higginbotham, shall each have a decent burial.
Next I desire that my wife Mahala Higginbotham shall have her lifetime maintenance off the farm and then at her death it shall be divided between Rachel Lee Low, wife of John W. Low, Rebecca M. Willey, wife of Lewis R. Willey all of my real estate to Rachel Lee Low and her heirs one hundred and four acres off of the lower end of the farm and to Rebecca M. Willey and her heirs the remainder one hundred and four acres of the upper end of the farm.
I also will to Sara Ann Roberts, Mary Jane Gump and Elizabeth E. Vanhorn four dollars each and four dollars to be divided equal among the heirs of John M. Higginbotham to be paid in twelve months after my death.
Witness the following signatures.
James Higginbotham (his mark)
Albert W. Reid
G. L. Humphrey