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Last Will and Testament of Anna James, July 22, 1822

Loudoun County, Virginia, Will Book “D”, Pages 284-285

 

Anna (nee “Matson”) James was born circa 1746 in Upper Merion Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Peter Matson, Sr. (1712-1778) of Upper Merion Township and Ann Ely (1715-1796) of Trenton, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. She was also the wife of Elias James (1743-1789) of Upper Merion Township. Anna is known to have had six children, four of which are mentioned in her last will and testament. See Children of Elias James (1744-1789) & Anna Matson (1746-1827). Anna died April 11, 1827 in Shelburn Parish, Loudoun County, Virginia. Below follows her last will and testament dated July 22, 1822.

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I Anna JAMES of the County of Loudoun in the State of Virginia being some afflicted in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to god for this same, am calling to mind the mortality of my body and that it is appointed for all men to die I therefore recommend my soul to him who gave it and do ordain this my last will in manner and form as followeth ---

 

1st Item--I will that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and discharged by my executors hereafter named --

 

2nd Item -- I will that all the goods and chattels that I may be in possession of at my decease, Except those hereafter mentioned shall as soon as it conveniently can be done sold at public sale --

 

3rd Item -- I give and bequeath unto my Son Thomas JAMES twenty dollars for his full legacy --

 

4th Item (after paying the above charges and legacy) I give and bequeath unto my Son Isaac JAMES one equal fourth part of a whatever estate I may die possessed of he having already received sixty dollars in part of his share or legacy --

 

5th Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah HOWEL one equal fourth part of all the estate I may die possessed of, she having already rec'd one hundred eighty seven dollars and ninety four cents in part of her share. I further wish and desire that she receive my wearing apparel at the appraisement in part of her share or legacy as likewise my saddle and bridle--

 

6th Item -- I give and bequeath unto my son James JAMES one equal fourth part of whatever estate I may die possessed of he having already received two hundred and twenty two dollars in part of his share or legacy --

 

7th Item -- I give and bequeath unto my Son Elias JAMES one equal fourth part of whatever estate I may die possessed of he having already received one hundred and fifty eight dollars and fifty cents in part of his share or legacy --

 

8th Item -- I further will and desire that there shall be no? interest paid by or from anyone of my children to the others for any of the above mentioned sums of money which they have already rec'd.

 

9th -- It is further my will and desire that income of my children shall in any wise be accountable for any other ??? goods or Chattels which they may have rec'd except the sums of money herein already above mentioned or note I may leave against them at my decease --

 

10th I also nominate constitute and appoint my trusty friends William NICHOLS (son of Wm Nichols dec'd) and Thomas GORE (son of Joshua GORE) to be my executors of this my last will and testament and do hereby revoke dis and utterly make void all former wills by me in any wise made ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and testament In ????? I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 22nd day of July eighteen hundred twenty two.

 

Signed, sealed, published and delivered by the said

 

Anna JAMES, (her seal)

 

the testatrix as and for her last will and testament in the presents of us who have subscribed our names for ??? hereto in thy presents and at the request of the said testatrix.

 

(Signed by Jonathan H/Keaton, Morris Osburn, Elijah Howell.)

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Updated: September 26, 2025