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Pocahontas County, Virginia
Will Book 1, pages 260-262
In the name of God, Amen. I Joseph Varner of the County of Pocahontas being sick and weak on body, but of sound mind and disposing memory for which I thank God, and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with:
First: I desire that all my executors or executor hereafter named shall dispose of all the perishable part of my estate for the payment of all my just debts, or so much thereof as he may believe to be the interest of my wife and children to part with. If disposing of the whole or any part of the perishable property should in the estimation of my executors be found to be justified to the interest of my wife and children, my desire is that my debts be paid out of the bonds I hold on John Hoover, Armstead Sims and others.
Second: After the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give to my wife Christina Varner, one third part of my estate, both real and personal, for and during her natural life, and after decease I give the same to my children hereinafter mentioned.
Third: I give all the balance of my estate, both real and personal, to my children to be divided among them as followith. It is my desire that my lands be equally divided between my sons John, Eli, Adam and Samuel, and my daughters Susan, Elly, Amanda and Elizabeth.
Fourth: I give my son Adam my roan horse, saddle and bridle, gear and ploughs, in addition to the above. This horse to be used by the family until Adam becomes of age.
Fifth: I give to my daughter Susan, in addition, forty dollars to be paid her out of the bond money coming from Henry Harper, this to be paid to her by my executors as soon as she gets married.
Sixth: All the rest of my estate, both real and personal, of what kind soever it may be, not herein before particularly disposed of, I desire may be equally divided among my several children herein before named which I give to them, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever.
And lastly, I do hereby appoint my sons John and Eli Varner executors of this my last will and testament and I desire that my executors John and Eli Varner if it is the wish of my wife and children to have the land sold, to dispose of it and to distribute the proceeds as I have above requested, hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 29th day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty one.
Joseph Varner
Witnesses: R. H. Beal, David Hannah, Joseph Hannah
(Will probated July 5, 1831)