George Washington

“ I give immediate freedom or if he should prefer it (on account of the accidents which have befallen him and which have rendered him incapable of walking or of any active employment) to remain in the situation he now is, it shall be optional in him to do so. In either case, however, I allow him an annuity of thirty dollars during his natural life which shall be independent of the victuals and clothes he has been accustomed to receive ”

“ And to avoid disputes respecting the ages of any of these negroes they are to be taken to the Court of the county in which they reside and the judgment thereof in this relation shall be final and a record thereof made, which may be adduced as evidence at any time thereafter if disputes should arise concerning the same. And I further direct that the heirs of the said Bartholomew Dandridge shall equally share the benefits arising from the services of the said negroes according to the tenor of this devise upon the decease of their mother. ”

“ And the dividends proceeding from the purchase of such stock is to be vested in more stock and so on until a sum adequate to the accomplishment of the object is obtained, of which I have not the smallest doubt before many years pass away, even if no aid or encouraged is given by legislative authority or from any other source. ”

“ And to prevent misconception, my meaning is, and is hereby declared to be that, these twenty shares are in lieu of and not in addition to the thousand pounds given by a missive letter some years ago in consequence whereof an annuity of fifty pounds has since been paid towards the support of this institution. ”

“ To William Augustine Washington [8] , Elizabeth Spotswood [20] , Jane Thornton [21] , and the heirs of Ann Ashton [22] ; son and daughters of my deceased brother Augustine Washington, I give and bequeath four parts -- that is -- one part to each of them.
To Fielding Lewis [23] , George Lewis [15] , Robert Lewis [24] , Howell Lewis [25] , and Betty Carter [7] , sons and daughter of my deceased sister, Betty Lewis, I give and bequeath five other parts -- one to each of them. ”

“ ITEM. If Charles Carter who intermarried with my niece, Betty Lewis [7] , is not sufficiently secured in the title to the lots he had of me in the town of Fredericksburg, it is my will and desire that my executors shall make such conveyances of them as the law requires to render it perfect.
ITEM. To my nephew, William Augustine Washington [8] , and his heirs (if he should conceive them to be objects worth prosecuting) . . . a lot in the town of Manchester (opposite to Richmond) No. ”

“ First. To my nephew, Bushrod Washington [9] , and his heirs (partly in consideration of an intimation to his deceased father, while we were bachelors and he had kindly undertaken to superintend my estate, during my military services in the former war between Great Britain and France, that if I shall fall therein, Mt. Vernon (then less extensive in dominion than at present, should become his property) I give and bequeath all that part thereof which is comprehended within the following limits -- viz. ”