5 October 1896
Updated November 24, 2022
In the name of God, Amen, I, Richard J. GILLIAM of the County of Powhatan, State of Virginia being of sound mind and disposing memory and mindful of the uncertainty of life do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following, to wit:
First, I will that out of my estate all of my just debts be paid.
Second, I will and desire that my executors herein after named shall hold all of my estate, both real and personal or mixed in trust, for the benefit of my beloved wife, Marion M. GILLIAM and my son Randolph Moore GILLIAM.
Third, I direct my executors herein after named to pay over to my said wife all of the rents, interest, and profits from any investments arising from my estate for the support of herself and my said son.
Fourth, I will and bequeath to my beloved wife one half of my entire estate and the other half to my son, when he shall have reached the age of twenty-one (21) years old; provided, however, my said wife shall have remained my widow. In the event of my said wife marries again. I desire my executors to pay over to my said son all of my estate real and personal when he shall have reached the age of twenty-one (21) years old.
Fifth, in the event of the death of my son before he reaches the age of twenty-one (21) years old I direct my Executors to pay over to my said wife all the rents, interest or investment and profits during her natural life or so long as she remains my widow.
Sixth, in the event of the death of my son, before he reaches the age of twenty-one (21) years old and the death or remarrying of my said wife, I direct my executors to pay over to my father, John GILLIAM, all of the rents, interest or investments and profits from my estate during his natural life.
Seventh, I direct my executors in the event of the death of my father should he become the beneficiary under the Sixth section of this my will to pay over to John GILLIAM, son of my uncle James Dabney GILLIAM, all the rents, interest or investments and profits from my estate until he reaches the age of twenty-one (21) years old and should he reach that age, I direct my executors to pay over to the said John GILLIAM, son of James Dabney GILLIAM, all of my entire estate.
Eighth, I hereby direct and empower my Executors to sell all or any of my property both real and personal whenever in their judgment they deem it prudent and wise to do so and to reinvest the same to the best of their skill and judgment.
Ninth, I hereby nominate my uncle, William T. GILLIAM, and my friend, Augustine Royall, to be my Executors under this my last will and respectfully ask the probate Court to allow them to qualify as such without security. In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and affixed my seal, this 5th day of October 1896.
Sig: R. J. GILLIAM
Signed, sealed and declared and published by Richard J. GILLIAM as his last will and testament in our presence and attested by us in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other.
L. B. Vaughan
Wm. Kennon
At a county court continued and held for Powhatan County at the Court House thereof on Monday the 10th day of May AD 1897
A paper writing purporting to be the las Will and Testament of Richard J. Gilliam deceased was this day produced in court and fully proved by the oaths of L. B. Vaughan, W. U. Kennon the subscribing witnesses thereto and the same is ordered to be recorded as the true last Will and Testament of the said Richard J. Gilliam, decd. And on the motion of Augustine Royall and William T. Gilliam, the executors therein named who entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of thirty thousand dollars conditioned and payable according to law, but without security the will directing that no security be required of them. Certificate is granted the said Executors for obtaining a probated of the said will in due form.
Teste
James A Tilman, CC
Powhatan County, VA, Will Book 18, Page 338Sources
- Powhatan County, VA, Will Book 18, Page 338