In the name of the God Amen I James Lauderdale in the County of Botetourt in the state of
Virginia bring now by the blessing of God in ? health of body and of perfect sound mind and
memory make this my last will and Testament.
2nd Page, My soul to its Creator in my humble hope of its future happening as in the disposal of
a being infirmity good. As to body my will is that it be buried in a decent manner at the
discretion of my Executors being after named the ___ or survivors of them, that may be of with
or nearest me at ___ of my decease; as for my intention to __ God willing from this State to the
State of Tennessee. I hereby make and appoint my oldest son William Lauderdale my youngest
son James Lauderdale and my son in-law James Henry the survivors or survivors of them
Executors to this my last Will and Testament.
First I order after my funeral expenses are paid, that all my just debts be discharged as soon as possible.
Secondly I order that it is my will that the goods and chattels that I maybe be _ of and land of any together with the slaves that I now have or have after. May have be sold at public sale to the highest bidder and the moneys _ from the sale be dispersed of in manner following that is to say
Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Margaret Cain widow and relic of James Cain deceased one federal dollar as her full part and share of whatever I maybe possessed of at the time of my decease.
Fourthly I give and bequeath unto my Grandson James Martin the sum of twenty pounds out of the _ proceeds of my estate to be paid to _ by my Executors the survivors or _ of them on _ secondly they or either of them can get which money is to be managed in the best manner for the use of said Grandson until he arrives to the age of twenty one years, but in case of his death during his minority I order the said twenty pounds with the interest to be equally divided amongst my legatees here _ after named.
Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my son William Lauderdale, my son John Lauderdale, my son
James Lauderdale, my daughter Jane Crawford, my daughter Elizabeth Martin, my daughter Mary
Franklin, my daughter Annie Henry and my grandson John Mills son of my Elizabeth after said
shared equally in and of all said _ the _ proceeds of my estate as aforementioned after all legal _
are takin out. It is my will that the above last named person have equal petition and share and
share alike in the distribution of my estate. This is my last Will and Testament and I do hereby _
and revoke all former wills and Testaments by me herefore made and _ ratifying and confirming
this and no others for my last will and testament signed with my hand and sealed with my seal in
the County and State first hereas mentioned this twenty second day of September in the year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six
Signed and sealed and _ by the
Test? as his last will and testament
in the presence of us
John Wood
James Lauderdale
John Mills
James Lauderdale his mark
Be it remembered that I James Lauderdale who made and executed the foregoing instrument of
writing do make the following codicil to the said last will and testament that is to say. I give and
bequeath unto my Grandson John Lauderdale _ you named in the body of my said last will and
testament _ equal share and part of such estate at I shall be pso? of at my decease according to
the time and _ intent and meaning of the said will and testament
In testimony were of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in the County first
mentioned in this said will this twenty fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one
thousand and seven hundred and ninety six. N.B. the word _ was _ in this Codicil before signing
Signed and sealed in the presence of us who subscribe our names
_ John Wood
James Lauderdale
John Mills