Will of John Smith Will Book A page 180 Botetourt County Virginia. April the 26th 1779 In the name of God Amen, I John SMITH of Botetourt County and Colony of Virginia, being of sound mind and memory, but calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, and as it has pleased God to bless me with some small property of this life it is my Will that the same may be distributed in the following manner. First I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the will of my executor hereafter mentioned. Item, it is my will that my just debts and funeral charges be paid out of my estate ____. I bequeath to my dearly beloved wife all of my moveable estate during her natural life and at her death to devolve to my son James Smith. Item, I bequeath to my son James Smith my part of a Warrant of Officers Claims now in the hands of Col. Preston which is one thousand acres also one tract of land on Craigs Creek containing about one hundred and eighty acres and one entry of land on Glade Creek the above lands to be at his disposal to sell and dispose of as he thinks proper. I do hereby appoint my trusty and well beloved friend George Skillon Executor of this my last Will and Testament requesting that he may act therein and see the same punctually performed and I hereby revoke and make Void all other Wills and Testaments by me made and do publish promise and declare this to be my last will and Testament in witness thereof. I hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Jno Smith seal Published Pounced and declared By the said John Smith to be his Last Will and Testament In the presence of us Geo Hutchison Joseph Dickson William Watson March Botetourt Court 1783 This Instrument of writing was presented in Court as an for the last will and testament of Col. John Smith deceased and proved by the oath of George Hutchison one of the witnesses, And at another court held for said county. The 8th day of May 1783 the same was proved by the oath of William Watson another witness and ordered to be recorded. Teste: D May CBC While this may not pertain to Monroe County at the moment, it was the subject of discussion in days past. I was at the courthouse today, and o ipuchased a copy of this will. I hope it serves to help a Smith researcher. Rena in Botetourt County.