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-great-grandfather, Adam Waggoner (c.1720s-1785):

In the name of God Amen I Adam Wagonner being through the abundant Mercy and goodness of God tho weak of body yet of sound memory and perfect understanding do constitute this my Last will and Testament in manner following. Viz. first I bequeath my soul to Almighty God my maker beseeching his most gracious exception of it. My body to the earth to be buried Decently at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named unto my Worldly Estate. I will and order that all my Debts be paid.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son George Wagonner one half of my Land on Wolf Creek containing near four hundred acres, him taking Choice for his part of the said Land To him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Daniel Wagonner The Other half of my Land on Wolf Creek, only he is to pay to George Wagonner Twenty pounds in any thing to his Satisfaction.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Jacob Wagonner a tract of Land joining mine which he sold to Wm. Day.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son David Waggoner the Tract of Land I now life on to him and his his heirs forever, only my wife Jane Wagonner is to have her third out of it During her natural life.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Rebekkah Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows and a good feather Bed, a good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows, and a good feather bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Christiner Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows and a good feather bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Susanna Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows, a good feather bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Anne Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows, a good feather Bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Son David Wagonner one brooding mare.

Item. I give and bequeath to my wife Jane Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows, a good feather bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. My will is that my young Children be School’d and raised out of the Estate.

Item. My will is that all the remainder of My Estate, viz. the Land where Henry Stogough Lives, the Land I purchased of Neman Cloyd, the remainder of my Stock, all the Cash and Debts due to be Equally Divided with my wife and all my Children, only pots and pewter and the necessaries for house keeping to my wife, and to my son David.

Item. My Daughters Rebekkah , Sarah, Christiner, Susanna and Anne Waggoner is to have each a good Saddle.

Item. My son David Wagonner is to have 100 acres of Land of a preemption, Joyning the other Tract, and a good Saddle.

Item I do appoint my wife Jane Wagonner Executor, Thomas Patton and William Cox my whole and Sole Executors of this my Last will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 23th Day of may 1785.

Adam Wagoner

Signed and Sealed in presence of

Wm. Day [his mark]

Tofan(?) Payn(?)

Source: Wills Box (1791-1799), Montgomery County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Christiansburg, VA.