Last Will and Testament of John Allen
In the name of God amen, I John Allen of the County of Scott and State of Virginia, being of sound mind and disposing memory, but reflecting upon the uncertainty of human life do make this my last will and testament.
I devise that after my death my body shall be buried in a decent manner entertaining a humble hope that it will be raised to a status of blessed immortality through our glorious Savior.
I request that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid by my executor hear after named, with regard to my real and personal property of every description that has pleased God to bless me with, I make the following devises.
1st I devise that all my perishables, part of my estate including all my household and kitching furniture be reserved for my wife Easter Allen and her children to wit, Elizabeth, Thomas, John G., Samuel, & Causby J. Allen and all other children which my wife Easter may have here after during my natural life.
2nd I request that my executor or executrices may sell so much of my land and that of personal property as above state as shall be sufficient to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses.
3rd Then as soon as all my just debts and funeral expenses is also paid off and of my estate as my said executor or executrix may choose to sell , all or part of each , real or personal estate, then I request that my wife Easter Allen select her thirds of both real and personal estate as she may choose to select for herself , and especially two horses, a filly called and known by the name of Nanci, now (Causeys, not clear ) filly and any other horse she may choose . Also four cows, ten head of sheep, twenty head of hogs and also all my farming utensils that is on the plantation at my death that she may stand in need of.
4th And after my wife Easter Allen shall have chosen her thirds, laid out as above stated, of both real and personal the residue to be equally divided among my several children, as above names as they become of age, giving each of them good common schooling.
I give and bequeath to my son Robert Allen (deceased) his children 5 dollars, to be equally divided among them, considering he had gotten his full share heretofore in land and property in Tazewell Co. some years ago.
5th and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend Hezekiah Neil and my wife Easter Allen executor and executrix of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills or testaments heretofore by me made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 30th day of March 1840.
Signed sealed and published and declared by me, John Allen as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witness.
James Caldwell John Allen
Samuel Neil his (J) mark
Calvin Cowden (seal)
Virginia
At a Court held for Scott County the 9th day of February 1841.
This last will and testament of John Allen deceased was proved by the oaths of Samuel Neil and Calvin Cowden witness thereto and is ordered to be recorded.
Attests
John S. Martin C.S.C.
Note: John’s wife Esther Jane Neal Allen was pregnant with my 3x great grandfather James Albert Allen when John died.
I believe this John Allen to be my ggg grandfather via his son James, James’ daughter, Drucilla Allen Stapleton – Drucilla being the mother of my paternal grandmother, Maggie Mae Stapleton Lovell – her son, Walter Lovell being my father.
I have Maggie married to Abraham Lovell and I think you are right. I dont have anything on them but would love to have you contact me if you want.
Sue