Will of John Van Metre

Will Book 1, Page 52

 

    In the name of God Amen, the thirteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and forty five, I, John Van Metre in Frederick County in the Colony of Virginia being sick in Body but of sound mind and Memory praise be given to God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of this Transitory Life, am willing through Divine Assistance to settle and Dispose of those Temporal blessings which it had Pleased God Beyond my Deserts to bestow upon me and therefore making this my Last Will and Testament Disannulling all other wills and Testaments heretofore made by me, etc. Imprimis, I commend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, hoping thro the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ it will be accepted and my body to be Interred with Decency at the Discretion of my executors hereafter named. I also will that my Just Debts and Demands whatsoever in Right of Conscience is Due to any to be Discharged and paid (as also funeral expenses) By my executors and as to my Real and Personal Estate. I will, Dispose, Devise, Give and Bequeath it in the manner following, that is to say. First my will is that my well beloved wife Margaret Van metre Have the third part of my moveable estate, also one room which she likes best, to Dwell, in, in my dwelling house, and one third part of the Orchard next the Rub with the keeping of one Riding Horse and two milch cows, Linning and Wolling Yarn to be wove her Bed and Bedding the said Room and Liberties to be her possessed during Her Dureing Life, without controle hinderance or molestation of any person whatever.

    Second, Item, I give Will Devise and bequeath unto my son Abraham Van Meter and his Heirs, Lawfully begotten, a Certain Parcel Tract of Land Bought by me of Francis Prichard on Opekan Run against the Land formally bequeathed to him, said Tract Begins at an Elm Tree being the East corner of the said Tract between a Line Tree Hickory Saplin and aforesaid Elm Saplin by Opekan Run side thence down the same to the Beginning Tree of afsd. Pricherds Tract thence South Fifty five Degrees West, One Hundred and Ten Poles, to the afsd. Beginning Elm Tree, containing by Estimation one hundred acres of land be it more or less. Provided there are no Heirs, Male or Female, of my said Son or Sons (Hereafter named) Live to arise the age of Twenty one Years, that then after Decease of my s’d son or sons afsd, or their Heirs, that then their part of Land to be Divided amongst the rest of my surviving Devisees 3d hereafter mentioned, Furthermore I also give Unto my s’d son Abraham Van Meter an Certain Tract of Land being and Situated on Opequon Run in the County afrs’d and to his Heirs Lawfully Begotton being part of Four hundred and Seventy five acres of Land Bought of Josh Hite, Beginning at or about two yards below a Pine Tree on a high Bank on Opekon run called the Allan Hill, and running thence by a Division Line North Sixty five Degrees East sixty Polls, to a small Hickory thence North Twenty Degrees West Sixteen Poles then North Fifteen Degrees East two hundred and nine Poles to a Spanish Oak another corner of the Original survey Thence North twenty Degrees West sixteen Poles to the First Beginning of the survey of the original Tract by Opeckon Run side near a White Oak marked thus IVM, then up Opeckon Run to the Beginning Pine, containing by estimation Two hundred and thirty seven acres of Land be it more or less etc, the same I also Give Devise and Bequeath to him my son Abraham and his Heir Lawfully Begotten, Under the same Restrictions and Limitations as I have Bequeathed unto him the above mentioned Land Bought of Francis Pricher, also I give Devise unto my said son Abraham (a son of my wife aforesaid thirds of my Movable Estate and Legacies are paid) an equal proportioned. Childs’ part therefrom as well as Lands to be Disposed of if any there be as of all things else, etc.

    Fourth I also Will, Give Devise and Bequeath unto my son Abraham Van Metre and to his lawful Heirs the Southernmost part of half moiety of four hundred acres of land for me and in name to survey for him his Heirs afs’d which land I have Jos Hite’s bond for procuring a Patent, which if he shall not obtain the said Pattent he is to have said Bond for Recovering so much as will amount to his share or Propertion according to his dividend of s’d Tract and the same Land to be held and enjoyed by him under the same Restrictions and Limitations as the above mentioned Land Namely the Land Bought of Francis Pricher, etc.

    Fifth, I Devise Will and Bequeath unto my son Isaac Van Meter and his Heirs Lawfully Begotten one Part or Tract of Land being part of the Tract of Land wheron I now Dwell, Beginning at a Bounded stake at the end of sixteen Poles in the first Line of the Original Tract Running thence with the said Line South Thirty Degrees West Sixty full perches, then South Eighty one Degrees East One hundred and Eighty Eight Perches, the North Five Degrees East Ten Poles then South Eighty one Degrees East One hundred and Eighty Poles until it intersects the line of the Intire Tract then North one hundred Poles to two white oaks at corner of the Intire Tract then North Fifty two Degrees West Fifty Poles to a Black Oak another Corner of the Intire Tract then North Eighteen Poles then South seventy-six Degrees West to the Beginning Stake, containing by computation Two hundred and Fifty acres of Land be it more or less. Provided the said Isaac Van Meter make sale of the Land he has at Monocacy and deliver one forth part of the price thereof to his Brother Jacob and the other three fourths to be either applied toward improving the Land herein Bequeathed otherwise laid out in other Lands and the s’d to be held under same Restrictions and Limitations, as those lands Will and Bequeathed to my son Abraham as aforementioned, Also I give and Devise unto my said son Isaac Van Meter after my afs’d wife’s thirds of my Movable Estate and Legacies are paid an Equal proportional Child’s part arising therefrom well of my Lands which are to be Disposed of if any there be as of all also my Movables etc.

    Sixth Item, I give Devise and Bequeath unto my son Henry VanMeter his Heirs Lawfully Begotten one certain Parcel Tract situate and being in Frederich County on Opeckon run whereon the said Henry now dwells, Beginning at the Spannish oak standing by Opeckon at a Lick in the Branch of s’d Run and running thence into the woods East Twenty Poles to a Black Oak thence South Eighty three Degrees East Ninty two Poles to a White Oak then East one hundred and fifty one Poles to a Hickory in a Line of the original survey thence down the same Run that falls into Opeckon Run thence down the same into Opeckon Run where a Spring is at the mouth thereof then up Opeckon Run to the Beginning Spannish Oak containing by estimation about four Hundred acres of Land be it more or less, with Liberty to such as possessed the land below the mouth of the said Run to get the water and have and possess part of the said Spring at the mouth of said Run, and hold and enjoy the said land under the same Restrictions and Limitations as my son Abraham and his Heirs, etc and if my said son should decease before his wife Eve...Also I give and Devise unto my said son Henry after my aforesaid wives of my Movable Estate and Legacies are paid and equal proportional Child’s part arising therefrom as well as my lands which are to be disposed of if any there be as of all else etc.

    Seventh - Item I will Devise Give and Bequeath unto my son Jacob Van Metre and his Heirs Lawfully Begotten or supposed to be begotten from the time that his wife’s first child was born being his, one piece or tract of land, being part of Tract whereon I now dwell, Beginning at a Bound Hickory standing at the end of Eighty Poles in the first line of the original and running thence with the said Line North Thirty Degrees West Fifty six poles then South seventy one Degrees East two hundred and twenty four Poles then North sixty six Degrees East Twenty four Poles then North Eighty two Degrees East Eighty Poles then North Eighty five Degrees East one hundred and Forty Poles then North fifteen Degrees west twelve Poles to a Black Oak being one of the corner trees of the original Tract then North Forty two Degrees West Eighty two Poles to a Hickory then North sixty eight Poles until it intersects Isaac Van Meter’s Line thence traversing the several Courses of the said Isaac’s Line to the Beginning Containing by estimation two hundred and thirty three acres of Land with that part of the Plantation whereon I now dwell together with all the Houses, Orchards on the said part Parcel, Tract of Land excepting as before excepted unto my wife to hold and enjoy the same under the same Restrictions and Limitations as is aforementioned unto my son Abraham and his Heirs, etc. Also I give Devise and bequeath unto my said son Jacob after my wifes Third part of my Movable Estate and Legacies are paid and equal proportional Child’s part arising therefrom as well as my lands which are to be disposed of if any there be as of all else, etc.

    Eight, Item, I will Devise give and Bequeath unto the Heirs Begotten (on) the body of my Daughter Sarah Wife to James Davis, one Piece or Tract of Land, part of the Tract of land whereon I now dwell Beginning for the same at the first beginning Tree of the Intire tract and Running thence South Thirty degrees West Sixteen Poles to a stake then North Seventy-five Degrees East two hundred and ninety two Poles to a cross the Intire Tract then around the several courses Joining Rebeccas land to the Beginning Containing by computation two hundred and Twenty acres of Land, more or less to be held under the same Restrictions, Titles, Limitations as aforesaid. Also, I give and Bequeath unto my said Daughter after my said wife’s Thirds of my Moveable Estate and Legacies are paid an equal porportional Child’s part arising therefrom as well of my Lands which are to be Disposed of if there be of all else. Provided, and it is my Soul Intent and Meaning that James Davis together with his wife Sarah give Good and Sufficient security unto my Executors, for the sum of her Proportional part of my Moveable Estate arising to be paid unto their Heirs, equally divided amongst them when they shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, and on Refusal of such security the Proportional part so arising to remain in the hands of my Executors until the Heirs aforesaid arrive at the age aforesaid, etc.

    Ninth, Item, I will Devise Give and Bequeath unto my daughter Mary wife of Robert Jones and to the Heirs of her body Lawfully Begotten one certain piece or Tact of Land being part of the Tract whereon I now Dwell Beginning at a large White oak by a Hole in the Ground it being a corner of the original Survey of the Whole Intire tract and running from said oak South twenty one degrees West two hundred and eight Poles then South forty two degrees west forty Poles to a White Oak by a Mead on a corner of the Original Tract thence South forty two Degrees East Sixty poles thence North Fifty four Degrees East three hundred and forty Poles until it Intersects the Line of the Intire Tract then with the same eighteen Degrees East Sixty five Poles to a Hickory Corner of the Original Tract thence North Thirty Degrees East eighty poles to the afs White Oak by Spring it being another corner of the Original Tract then North Fifteen Degrees West Seventy Poles thence South Eighty three Degrees West Eighty Poles to a Black Oak then South ten Degrees West Fifty six Poles to a stake by a corner of a fence then East by the said fence to another stake then thirty Degrees West one hundred and sixty four Poles to another stake then Northwest sixty six Poles to the Beginning by estimation three hundred and fifty acres of Land be it more or less the same to be held and enjoyed under the same Restrictions and Limitations above mentioned in the Lands Willed and Bequeathed to my son Abraham Van Metre and his Heirs etc. Also, I give and Devise unto my said daughter Mary wife of the said Robert Jones after my afsd Wife’s Thirds of my Movable Estate and Legacies are paid and Equal Proportion Child’s part arising therefrom as well of my Lands which are not be desposed of if any there be as of all else. Provided, and it is my Soul Intent and meaning that Robert Jones With his wife Mary give Good and sufficient security unto my Executors for the sum of her proportional part of my Movable Estate, arising to be paid unto their Heirs equally divided amongst them when they arrive to be the age of Twenty one years, and on Refusal of such security, the Proportional part so arising to remain in the hands of my Executors until the heirs afsd arrive afsd.

    Tenth, Item, I Devise Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Rebecca wife to Solomon Hedges, Esq., and to her Heirs Lawfully Begotten of her body one parcel of tract of land being part of the tract I now dwell on Beginning at a corner marked Black Oak the lower most corner on the east side of the meadow and running with the lines of the Original tract North Thirty three Degrees West One hundred and ten Poles to a Black Oak then South Seventeen Degrees West one hundred and Fifty eight Poles to a Hickory then South Sixty Degrees West and Ninty five Poles to a Black Oak then South Fifteen Degrees West one hundred and thirty six Poles and in a corner of the other Tract then crossing the said Tract North seventy nine Degrees East one hundred and sixty Poles until it shall intersect the Line of the Intire survey and then with the same North Twenty five Degrees East two hundred and forty four Poles to the Beginning Black Oak containing by estimation two hundred acres of Land and meadow be it more or less to be held and enjoyed by the Heirs of the said Solomon and Rebecca Lawfully begotten of her body under the same Restriction and Limitations as is mentioned to Abraham Van Meter’s Heirs, etc. Also I give and devise unto my said Daughter Rebecca after my said wife’s Third of my Movable Estate and legacies are paid an Equal Proportional Child’s part arising therefrom as well as of my Lands which are to be disposed of any then be as of all else, etc. Provided, and it is my soul Intent and meaning that Soloman Hedges and Rebecca his wife give Good and sufficient security unto my Executor’s for the sum of her Proportional Part of my Movable Estate arising to be paid unto their Heirs Equally Divided amongst them when they shall arrive to the age of Twenty one years and on Refusal of such Security, the Proportional part so arising to remain in the hands of my Executors until Heirs afsd arrive to the age afsd, etc.

    Eleventh, Item, I give Devise and Bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Wife to Thomas Shepherd and to the heirs of her body Lawfully Begotten One Certain tract or piece of Land being part of the Tract whereon I now dwell beginning at the South corner of the above Devised Land and running thence with the same North Fifty four Degrees East Three hundred and Forty Poles until it shall Intersect the Line of the Intire Tract thence Traversing the Lines of the Intire Tract round to the Beginning, containing by computation three hundred acres of Land. Also one other Tract of Land Lying situated and being in Prince George’s County in the Province of Maryland known by the name of Pelmel. Beginning at a bound Ash standing at the upper end of a Tract of land called Antetum Bottom on the Bank of Potomack River containing one hundred and sixty acres of Land according to the Certificate of Survey under the same Title restrictions and Limitations as in afsd Bequest and Devise unto my son Abraham Van Meter and his Heirs. Also if Robert Jones should be scarce of Water or his Heirs, or any other the Devised or their Heirs into whose hands the Lands shall come into, then it shall and may be Lawful for them to Dig a Trench to Convey the Water from the Run into the said Land with (out) Interruption of him the said Thomas Shepherd or his heirs aforesed. Also I give and Devise unto my said Daughter Elizabeth wife to Thomas Shepherd after my afsd wife’s Thirds of my Movable Estate and Legacies are paid an equal Proportional Child’s part arising therefrom as well of my Lands which are to be Deposed of if any there be as of all else, etc. Provided, and it is my Soul Intent and meaning that Thomas Shepherd and Elizabeth his wife Give Good and sufficient security unto my Executors for the sum of her proportional part of my movable Estate arising to be paid unto their Heirs equally Divided amongst them when they shall arrive at the age of Twenty one years, And on Refusal of such security the Proportional part so arising to Remain in the Hands of my Executors until the Heirs afsd arrive at the age afsd, etc.

    Twelveth, Item, I Devise Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Magdalena the sum of twenty shillings, as her full Legacy whereby when paid or tendered to her by my Executors is discharged and fully acquited from any Right Title of Interest or to my Real or Personal Estate and I do Devise Will and Bequeath unto her Heirs Lawfully begotten on her body a certain Tract or piece of Land being part of the Tract whereon I now Dwell beginning at a marked Red Oak saplin being a corner of the original survey of the Intire Tract and Running thence North Thirty Degrees East Twelve Poles, then South Seventy one Degrees East two hundred and twenty four Poles then North sixty six Degrees East twenty four Poles then North Eighty two Degrees East Eighty four poles then south Eighty Poles then south ten West Fifty Six Poles then East twenty Poles then North West Sixty six Poles to a white oak by a Hole being a corner of the survey of the Intire Tract then with the line of the same to the beginning Black oak saplin Containing by estimation wo hundred and fifty acres of land be it more or less to be held and enjoyed by the heirs by my said Daughter under the Limitations and Restrictions according to the Devise made to my son Abraham van Meter’s Heirs, etc. Also I give and Devise unto the Heirs of my said Daughter Magdalena after my wife’s Thirds of my Movable Estate so arising to remain in the hands of my Executors until her heirs arrive to the age of Twenty one years and then equally between them and for want of such Heirs to be equally divided amongst the other Devisees, etc.

    Thirteenth Item, I will Devise Give and Bequeath to the son of Daughter Rachael deceased (viz) John Leforge a certain tract of land containing two hundred acres being part of four hundred acres of land which my son Abraham VanMeter hath Divided to him, which two hundred acres of Land are to held and enjoyed under the same Restrictions and Limitations and Intails as aforementioned, etc. as also two Breeding mares, and if it so happen that he should die that then the said mares shall be given to his two cousins namely Johannes Van Meter son of Johanes Van Meter deceased and Joana daughter of said Johanes deceased, etc.

    Fourteenth, Item, I will Devise and Bequeath unto my Grandson Johannes Van Meter son of my Eldest son Johannes Van Meter Deceased and to his Heirs Lawfully Begotten of a certain parcel of Land being the upper most part of the afsd four hundred and seventy five acres of land which I purchased of Jost Hite Beginning at the afsd Pine Trees mentioned in the second clause of my Bequest to my son Abraham Van Meter out of the same Tract and running thence with the same Division Line Between him and my son Abraham North sixty Degrees East sixty Poles to a small Hickory Saplin standing on the Line of the Survey of the whole Intire Tract then with the same South twenty three Degrees East two hundred and fifty seven Poles to a White oak standing at a corner of the original survey and is the uppermost corner of the Land mentioned in Jost Hite’s Deed then running with the Line of said Deed to Opeckon Run and Down the same to the afsd Pine Tree containing by estimation two hundred and thirty eight acres be it more or less. Provided the said Johanas Delivers an equal share of his Land at Monokasy or the value thereof to his sister Joana daughter of Johannes Van Meter Deceased, then Land Will and Bequeated to my Grand son Johannes Van Meter is to be held by him Under the same Restrictions and Limitations as aforementioned in Abraham’s bequest, Also I will that my said grandson Johannas have two Breeding Mares, etc.

    Fifteenth, Item. I will that if any veins or any sort of mines should at anytime hereafter be Discovered on any part of my Lands herein mentioned, Given willed Devised and Bequeathed, and that the same should arise amount or become of more value than Fifty Pounds that then such Mines to be equally divided amongst my Devisees and every of them to have equal share or proportion of the same with Liberty of Roads to and from the same for transporting of such mine also Liberty to Digg and make search and Trail for such Mines in Co-Partnership with the rest of the Devisees, etc.

    Sixteenth, Item, I also will Devise Give and Bequeath the sum of Ten Pounds Virginia Money to be paid by my Executors to my grand-children to Johannes Van Meter and Joanna Van Meter the sum of Fifteen Pounds when they arrive to the age of twenty one years of age.

    Seventeenth, Item I do nominate, Constitute and Appoint my son-in-law Thomas Shepherd, Abraham Van Meter and Jacob Van Meter my sons joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament Impowering them to act and perform according to what is contained in every Clause being contained in five Sheets of Paper Disannuling and making void all other Wills and Testaments by me in any wise by me heretofore confirming this and no other as my last Will and Testament.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Day and year above Written.

                                                                                          John Van Meter (Seal)

Signed sealed Published and Pronounced and Declared by the said John Van Meter as his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us:

                                                                                                              his

                                                                                               Edward X Morgan

                                                                                                           mark

                                                                                                  Andrew Corn

                                                                                                  Joseph Carroll

(Probated at Winchester, Va.

3d Sept. 1745)

 

 

 

The material on the site is intended for free personal, non-commercial use. Commercial use of any of the materials presented on these pages is prohibited. Please do not consider any information on this site as a primary source, all data should be verified by you, the researcher. If you encounter any problems or have a question/correction, you can Email me at Scott Van Metre