Tags
American Revolution, Appalachia, Christiansburg, genealogy, Henry Farley, history, John Farley, John Kirk, Judith Farley, Logan County, Montgomery County, slavery, Thomas Farley, Virginia, West Virginia
During a recent visit to the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, I viewed the Last Will and Testament of my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Thomas Farley (c.1730-1796). Thomas was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.
In the Name of God Amen
I Thomas Farley of the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia being sick in Body but of a good and sound memory calling to mind the uncertain estate of this Temporary(?) life and knowing that all flesh must yield to death when it shall pleas God to call. I commit my soul to almighty God that give it and my Body to be buryed as my Friends Shall See cause. In the first place I desire as much of my Estate may be sold as shall pay all my Just debts, Such things as my Dear wife shall think fit. Secondly I give and bequeath to my Dear wife three Negros and all my Pertional estate to dispose of as she Shall See fit and Likewise all Bonds Notes and demands. In the third place I give and Bequeath unto my Dear Sons Such Lands and I have heretofore given them agreeable to Such lines as I have directed and this I believe to be my Last Will and Testament this thirty first day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety six.
Thomas Farley
Signed and Sealed
In the presence
Test
John Kirk
John Farley
?Winney Thomp (her mark)?
I also leave Gordon Cloyd and John Kirk my true(?) Friend as Executors
NOTE: Henry Farley, pioneer settler of Logan County, WV, is the son of Thomas Farley.
Brandon Ray Kirk 
I am an African American descendant of Thomas Farley. Similar to you,Thomas is my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfathers. I would be interested in talking with you more either online or offline about Thomas Farley. Your site is very well and respectfully done. Thanks.
Hi, Cousin Tony. I’m so glad to hear from you. I’m fascinated by certain aspects of African-American history, such as oral history, traditional music, and genealogy. I’m a big fan of Booker T. Washington, who was partly raised near my home area in present-day Malden, WV. One of my current research projects is to gather information about slavery in southwest Virginia (now West Virginia) and also the life experiences of freedmen — local former slaves who stayed or migrated away to Ohio and elsewhere, as well as ex-slave migrants into my region prior to 1900 (before coal). There are two slave cemeteries in my community and I maintain one of them; I would love to see signage that promotes the history. Please keep in touch! You can email me at brankirk@yahoo.com.