From Richmond Chancery Court Records, Will Book No. 7, p. 419

VIRGINIA: In the Chancery Court of the City of Richmond, the ___ day of ____ 1900.

Virginia,
             At a Court of Chancery (next line of text unreadable) Probate and Record) held for the City of Richmond, at the Courtroom thereof, in the City Hall on Saturday the 29th day of February, 1900, and two codicils thereto attached, bearing date respectively the 19th day of June 1900, and the 20th day of September 1900, purporting to be to be the last will and Testament of Elizabeth Van Lew, deceased, late of this city, were this day produced to the Court for proof, and the said paper writing bearing date the 21st day of February 1900 and the said codicil bearing date the 19th day of June 1900, near fully proved by the oaths of J. R. V. Daniel, and Otis H. Russell, the subscribing witnesses thereto: and the said codicil hearing date the 20th day of September 1900 was fully proved by the oaths of John G. Winston, and James M. Taylor, the subscribing witnesses thereto.

Thereupon the said paper writing and the said two codicils are established and ordered to be recorded as and for the true last will and Testament of the said Elizabeth L. Van Lew, deceased.

And at another date to with, Virginia.

In the Chancery Court of the City of Richmond the 6th day of October 1900. John T. Goddin, one of the Executors, named in the last will and Testament of Elizabeth L. Van Lew, deceased; late of this city, which will admitted to probate in this Court on the 29th day of September, 1900, by a writing under his hand, bearing date the 6th day of October 1900, and this day presented to the Court, declined to take upon himself the execution of the trusts imposed by said will.

And thereupon came John Philips Reynolds, Jr., the other executor named in said will, and on his motion he was permitted by the Court to qualify as such executor.

Therupon the said John Phillips Reynolds, Jr. made oath as the law directs, and together with the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, his surety, by E. Leslie Spence, its duly authorized agent and attorney in fact (the Court being first satisfied from an examination of said Spence on oath as to the sufficiency of said Company) entered into and acknowledged a bond as such Executor in the penalty of the One Thousand Dollars, payable and conditioned according to law.

And certificate is granted the said John Phillips Reynolds Jr. for obtaining a probate if the said will in due form.

Teste,
Chas. O. Saville,
Clerk.

 

I, Elizabeth L. Van Lew, of the City of Richmond, Va, do make and declare my last Will and Testament as follows:

I give, devise and bequeath all of my property and estate, real and personal to my two nieces, Annie Randolph Hall (wife of John J. Hall), and Eliza Louisa Van Lew, to be divided equally between them, share and share alike.

It is my wish that my rosewood furniture and mahogany set, secretary and bookcases, be sent to Boston to be sold there, knowing that they can be sold there to much greater advantage.

I hereby revoke any previous Will heretofore made by me.

I appoint John T. Goddin executor of this my Will.

Witness my hand this 21st day of February, 1900.

(signed) Elizabeth L. Van Lew

Signed, declared and published as and for the last Will and Testament of Elizabeth L. Van Lew, in presence of us, who in her presence and at her request and in presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

J. R. V. Daniel
Otis H. Russell.

Codicil: Inasmuch as my niece Eliza Louisa Van Lew has died since I made my Will dated the 21st day of July 1900, I make this codicil to my Will, and I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of my property, real and personal, to my niece Annie Randolph Hall, sister of my deceased niece, Eliza Louisa Van Lew.

I leave to Mr. John Phillips Reynold, for any manuscript I may have put together.

Witness my hand this 19th day of June 1900.

(signed) Elizabeth L. Van Lew

J. R. V. Daniel

}Witnesses

Otis H. Russell


Codicil 2nd: (In a different hand) I hereby direct that all of my furniture, book cases, etc., be sent to Boston, Massachusetts, and sold there, but subject to such directions as I may give by letter to my executors.

I leave to my dear friend Mr. John Phillips Reynolds, Jr., of Boston, Mass., all my manuscript wherever found, he to make such disposition of the same as I may direct him by letter.

I hereby appoint Mr. John Phillips Reynolds, Jr., of Boston, and Mr. John T. Goddin, of Richmond, Executors of my last will, in the place of Mr. John T. Goddin heretofore appointed Executor.

Witness my hand this 20th day of September, A. D. 1900.

(signed) Elizabeth L. Van Lew

John G. Winston

}Witnesses

Jas. M. Taylor

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