Will of William Campbell (d. 1759) of Augusta County, Virginia

Introduction by Phil Norfleet

The last will and testament of William Campbell is dated 5 October 1754. I have not found the record of probate; however, an executor was appointed and bond given for the estate of William Campbell, deceased, on 22 November 1759.

The will named William's wife, Sarah Campbell, as executor.  However, the court, on 22 November 1759, appointed William's son, Samuel Campbell, as executor.  This fact strongly implies that Sarah Campbell was also dead as of the November 1759 date.

I do not know of any connection between this William Campbell and either the families of White David or Black David Campbell.   A number of people have claimed that this William was related to one or the other of the above cited Davids; however, I have never seen any documentary evidence that supports such a relationship.  If any visitor to this web site has any credible evidence as to the identity of this William Campbell and his connection, if any, to the White David or Black David Campbells, please send me an email.

The will and bond obligation are recorded at Augusta County, Virginia, Will Book 2, pages 343-344.

Transcription of Will

In the name of God Amen.  I William Campbell of the County of Augusta & Colony of Virginia considering the uncertainty of this mortal Life and being of sound & perfect mind & memory, blessed be to Almighty God for the same, but being now indisposed do make & publish this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following.

That is to say first of all I leave & bequeath unto my son[s] James Campbell & John Campbell one shilling to each.  I also give & bequeath unto my daughters Mary Clements, Mary Gillham, Elisabeth Price, Mary Ann Ashton and Rachel Carlisle one shilling to each.  And it is also my will that the above mentioned Legatees be paid or tender'd the day of my Burial.

And it is also my will that one hundred acres of land that my Son in [Law] Thomas Gillham now lives on, it being part of that tract of land where my dwelling house now stands, be equally divided amongst my Daughter Margaret Gillham's children equally at her decease.

And I also leave & bequeath unto my son Samuel the work horses with the plough & Irons and my plantation at my wife's decease; that is to say my Wife having the one third of s'd plantation during her life, And I also leave & bequeath unto my well beloved wife Sarah Campbell all the residue of my Estate whatsoever, to have it in her power to dispose of it as she shall think proper at her decease.

And I do hereby appoint my well beloved Wife Sarah Campbell my sole executrix & executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all my former will by me made.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fifth day of October, one thousand seven hundred & fifty four (1754).

/S/ William Campbell (Seal)

Signed, Sealed & Delivered in the Presence of:

... (??) ...

Charles Gillham

Transcription of Bond Obligation for the Executor of the Estate of William Campbell, Deceased

Know all men by these presents that we Samuel Campbell, George Wilson & James Carlisle are held & firmly bound unto John Buchanan, Rob't Breckenridge, John Chrisham & Frank Tyler, Justices in the Commission of the peace for Augusta County for and in behalf of the Justices & their successors in the sum of five hundred pounds to be paid to the said Justices & their successors for the which payment well & truly to be made, we bond ourselves and every one of our Heirs, Executors & Administrators jointly & severally firmly by these presents sealed with our seals, Dated this 22nd day of November Anno Dom. 1759.

The condition of this obligation is such that of the above bound Samuel Campbell, Exec. of the Last Will & Testament of William Campbell, deceased, do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods & chattels & credits of the s'd deceased which have or shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of the s'd Samuel Campbell or into the hands or possession of any other person or persons for him and the same so made to exhibit into the County Court of Augusta, at such time as he shall be thereunto required by the s'd Court.   And the same goods, chattels & credits & all other goods, chattels & credits of the s'd deceased which at any time after shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of the s'd Samuel Campbell or unto the hands and possession of any other person or persons, for him to well & truly Administer according to Law, and further do make a just & true account of his actings & doings therein when thereto required by the s'd Court.  And also shall well & truly pay & deliver all the legacies contained & specified in the said Testament as far as the said goods, chattels & credits will thereunto expend, & the Law shall charge.  Then this obligation to be void & of none effect or else to remain in full force & Virtue.

/S/ Samuel Campbell (Seal)

/S/ James Carlisle (his mark) (Seal)

/S/ George Wilson (Seal)

Sealed & Delivered in the presence of (At a Court Cont'd & held for Augusta County Nov 22 1759)

G. Jones