Last Will and Testament of Matthew Talbot
Last Will and Testament of Matthew Talbot

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, the fourth day of January 1758. I, Matthew Talbot of the County of Bedford being sick and weak in Body but of Perfect mind and Memory, thanks be given to Almighty God therefor and Calling to mind the Mortality of my Body and Knowing it is appointed for all men to die, do make and Ordain this my Last will and Testament.

That is to say Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the Hands of Almighty God who gave it and my Body I commend to the Earth to be buried in a Decent Christian Burial at the at the[no mistake]Discretion of my Executors. Nothing Doubting but at ________Resurrection I shall Receive the same again by the Mighty Power of God and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to Bless me with in this life, I give, Devise(?), and dispose of the same in the following Manner and form, That is to say,

First , I desire that all my just debts may be Honestly Paid as soon as can be and as to my Estate that shall be or remaining after my Debts paid I give and bequeath as followeth,

Imprimis, I give and bequeath to my loving wife, Jane Talbot, the sum of fifty pounds current money. Likewise, I give to my said wife one Bay mare known by the name of Fenix(?), one side saddle and bridle.

Item, I give and bequeath to my loving son John Talbot, the sum of fifty pounds current money.

Item, I give and bequeath to my loving son Isham Talbot the sum of fifty pounds current money.

Item, I give and bequeath to my Godson, Abraham Chandler, one cow and calf, one sow and piggs & one Ewe.. Likewise I give and bequeath to my said Godson one Certain tract or parcel of Land containing by estimation four hundred acres be the same more or less Lying & being on the Lower side of Flat Creek and joining the line of Mr. William Arther which said land & the before mentioned stock and their increase I give & bequeath to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I give & bequeath unto Daniel Rains the sum of Five Pounds Current Money.

Item, my Will and Desire is that in order to discharge my debts and Legacies before mentioned that my Executors Hereafter Named do sell and dispose of all my estate both Real and Personal and that after the said Debts and Legacies are paid then the remainder of the Money received by the sale of the said Estate be Equally Divided Between my loving wife, Jane Talbot, my sons, Charles Talbot, Matthew Talbot, James Talbot, John Talbot, Isham Talbot, and my daughter Martha Arthur. I give and bequeath to my son Charles Talbot my Great Bible, Likewise, then I appoint my sons Charles Talbot & John Talbot Whole and sole Executors of this my last will and Testament and do revoke all former wills by me made

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written.

Mem. this will is Interlined in several places before signed.

Matthew Talbot{LS}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of Robert Baber, Jane Baber, Elizabeth Dalton

At a court held for Bedford County November 27th 1758

This will was proved by the oaths of Elizabeth Dalton and Robert Baber witnesses thereto and sworn to by Charles Talbot and John Talbot, Executors therein named and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said Executors who entered into and acknowledged a Bond with John Quarles and William Irvine in the penalty of one thousand pounds according to law Certificate was granted to them for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form Teste Benjamin Howard CBC

Duly recorded

Teste B Howard CB