Valley of the Shadow
The Eve of War
Fall 1859–Spring 1861

Letters & Diaries

Augusta County Court Will Book #37 page 77
Samuel Patterson


Know all men by the presents, that I Samuel Patterson of South River in the County of Augusta and the State of Virginia, Farmer, being of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament, as follows:

1st I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaret Patterson, One Thousand Dollars in money , one coloured man (named David) one coloured woman (named Kate) one horse, buggy and harness, and whatever household property she may wish that is in the house.

2nd I give and bequeath to my son James A. Four Thousand Dollard which is charged against him for the land he now holds. 3rd I give and bequeath to my son George C. Four Thousand dollars in money, which is charged against him for the land he now holds. 4th: I give and bequeath to my son William Four Thousand dollars in money, which is charged against him. 5th: I give and bequeath to my son Samuel W. Four Thousand Dollars in land and money which is charged against him. 6th: I give and bequeath to my son Solomon H. Four Thousand Dollars in the land purchased of Wm. Beard for him as the payments become due but he must account for the charges which are now against him on the book of Six hundred and Thirty six Dollars. 7th: I give and bequeath to my son John L. Four Thousand Dollars in money or bonds due for that amount. 8th: I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Ann, wife of James Dever, Three Thousand Dollars in money, but she must account for the money charged against her amounting to sixteen hundred and sixty dollars and 42 c. 9th: I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Three Thousand Dollars in money but she must account for the charge against her on the book of one hundred and twenty six dollars. 10th: I give and bequeath to my grandson and daughter, Daniel M. and Mary M. Keiser, Five hundred dollars each, with interest from twelve months after the sale untill they become of age, to be retained in the Executor's hands. 11th: I request that all my land, slaves and other property, be sold at public sale, excepting the slaves, which are to be sold publickly; to the heirs and the proceeds to be divided equally between the heirs (after the specified legacies are paid) expect my grandson and daughter, Daniel M. and Mary M. Keiser which have all I intend for them.

I hereby ordain and appoint my sons James A. and William as my Executors and Administraters of this my last will and testament. allowing some legal per cent for the settlement of the Estate & I give them full power to make all deeds and titles to lands & c. and I furthermore appoint H. G. McCansland as the commissioner with whom they are to settle up the Estate. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and seal and publish and declare this to be my last will and Testament, in the presence of the witnesses named below, this 2nd day of May Eighteen hundred and fifty nine, A.D.

Samuel Patterson (signed) Signed sealed published and declared by the said Samuel Patterson as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto

James Patterson (signed)
Hugh G. McCansland