The Will of
John Rodes
1823
Albemarle County, Virginia
Will Book 7, p. 309
I John Rodes of the County of Albemarle and State of Virginia do hereby make my last Will Testament in the manner and form following that is to say,
First I desire that after my decease that as many of my negroes — be sold as will be sufficient to pay all of my just debts and funeral expenses.
Secondly after the payment of all my Just Debts and Funeral Expenses I give to Thomas L. Shelton in Consideration of his Kindness and attention to myself and his services for several years towards me and my farm as well as on account that said Thomas L Shelton having married my near relation (Susannah Ballard) one hundred acres of Land lying and being in the County of Albemarle adjoining the land I now live on and purchased by myself of a certain John Carter to him the said Thomas L Shelton his heirs & assigns forever.
Thirdly I give to the said Thomas L. Shelton all my perishable estate of all kinds and also two negroes Dilly a girl and Peter a boy to him his heirs and assigns forever which said property I give to the said Thomas L Shelton partly in consideration of the above mentioned services and in the further consideration that the said Thomas L Shelton do maintain me so long as I think proper to remain with him. Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint Thomas L Shelton executor of this my last will and testament 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 the Fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty three.
John (x) Rodes (seal)
Signed sealed and declared as – for the
last will and testament of the above named
John Rodes in presence of us
Henry White
Prr Woodson
John Woodson
Hudson Oaks
Lewis Gillespy
At a Court held for Albemarle County the 1 Sept 1823
This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Rodes dec’d was produced into Court and proved by the oath of Henry White, Prior Woodson & Hudson Oaks three of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste: Alex. Garrett CC