Edward Stephenson Will {Page 134} (Digital Image of Page 134)

I Edward Stephenson of Bedford County
being in good health but in advanced age and being
desirous of disposing of my property in a manner some
what different from the disposition the law would
make of it were I to die without a will do make and
ordain this my last will and testament to wit
1st I bequeath my Soul to God who gave it and my
body to the earth to be decintly entered in such
manner as my beloved wife and children & kind
friends may deem proper. The expenses of which to
be paid out of the first money that may come into
the hands of my executor
2nd I give to my beloved wife Elisabeth R. Stephenson
absolutely all my household & kitchen furniture of every
name, kind and description, also her choice of my
work horses, and two cows of her choice, and all the pout-
try of every kind, and a years support of every kind
counting from my death, and should it occur during
crop time she is to have a years support from the gathering
of the crop and fattening of hogs, but in that event she
is not to have the growing crop that may be on the
land accrued to her, should there be one at the time
of my death, and all my stock hogs all the

Edward Stephenson Will {Continued, Page 135} (Digital Image of Page 135)

slave property is given her absolutely.
3rd I give and bequeath to my said wife for and during
her natural life, my slaves Nelly and her two children
and any children she may hereafter have before my death.
And also my slave Elliot, or Alexandria. And all
that part of my land lying west of Sinking Creek &
a forty acre tract East of it that I purchased of
Fubly Bloyd for timber for the other place west
of the creek all of the above property is to be hers
during hers during her natural life.
4th I will and direct and empower my executor to carry
out the same, that all my other property of every
name kind and description be sold on such terms
as my executor may deem right, and the proceeds
to be equally divided among all my children
without reference to advancement. The children of
Such as may then be dead to take the parents
share, and in the case of the word my children claim
share I intend to include the children of my deceased son
Robert who are to take their fathers share.
5th The share that I give to my daughter Mary Pear
son is to be to her sole and separate use free
from the contracts of her present, or any future
husband and vested upon her in such way
as my executors under the advice of counsel
may deem best or invested in slaves or land
in their discretion under the advice aforesaid
6th The property bequeathed to my wife under the third
item of this will at her death I direct to be sold
by my executors and divided as the property is directed
to be divided in the fourth item and Mary Parsons
share to be settled as directed in the fifth item.
7th The property given by this will to my daughter Mary
at her death is to go to her children that may then
be living or the representatives of such as may be
dead.
8th I should have previously directed all my debts
to be paid which I hereby do.
9th I nominate and appoint my dear son Richard Stephen
son my executor of this my last will and testament
who is to settle the estate or who ever does settle it is
to do so under the advise and counsel of my friend
Wm. H. Wisener. In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this the 31 July 1858.

Edward Stephenson {Seal}

Wm Galbraithe
J. L. Scudder
Wm H Wisener