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- William Mathews was born in 1741, in Augusta County, Virginia, and died between the date of his Will, 23 July 1772, and the date of probate, 10 November 1772. He married, 28 November 1763, Frances CROWE, who died in 1796. She was the daughter of James CROWE of Donaghore, Ireland, and his wife, Eleanor. William Mathews was the progenitor of the Mathews of Greenbrier County, West Virginia. He was born on the old Mathews place in Augusta County, which was left to himself and his brother Archer Mathews. He purchased Archer's interest in the estate and lived and died there, a farmer not entering public life. He was, however, Justice of the Peace 18 February 1770. While still very young he served as private in the French and Indian Wars. The Crowe family came to America from Ireland about 1762. There is extant, an old church certificate reading "James Crowe, Elinor his wife, with their two daughters Elizabeth and Frances has lived in this Congregation since their infancy, are descendants of an ancient, reputable protestant family. Their exemplary conduct has always justly merited the unfeigned esteem of Christian neighbors and are recommended as worthy the regard and notice of any Society where divine providence may appoint. Is certified at Donaghmore this 20th day of June, 1762, by Benjamin Homes." William Mathews and his wife had five children.
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The WILL of William Mathews is of record in Will Book "A", page 19, Public Records of Botetourt County, Virginia:-
"In the Name of God, Amen. The 23rd day of July in the year of our Lord God 1772, I William Mathews of the County of Botetourt an_ Colony of Virginia being very sick and weak in Body: but in perfect Mind and Memory. Thanks be given unto God therefore, calling into Minde the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament That is to say principally and first of all I give and Recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Like & decent Manner; at the Discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God; and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life. I give bequeath and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
"First it is my desire that all my Just and Lawfull Debts be paid and the Remainder of my Movable Estate I give and bequeath unto Francis my dearly beloved wife her thirds with her Bed and furniture her body cloaths a horse and sadle worth twenty pounds and her living of_ the land during her Widowhood or till my Eldest son John Comes to age which ever shall first happen; secondly I give and bequith unto my dearly beloved daughters Ann & Elizabeth the Remainder of my Moveable Estate to be Equally divided and if either of them dies without Eshew before they come to age the Survivor possesses all; thirdly I give and bequith unto my dearly beloved sons John, Joseph & James the _____ and parcels of land whereon I now live to be sold when they arrive to the years of maturity and the money arrising therefrom to be equally divided amongst them, if either of them dies before they come to age without eshew, the survivors are to injoy it equaly. Lastly I make and Ordain my dearly beloved Brothers Samson and George Mathews my sole Executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set
Wm. Mathews (Seal)
"Sign'd, seal'd, published pronounced and declared by the said William Mathews as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers, viz.
"Mary (her x mark) Mathews; John Murray
Elizabeth Mathew; John Mathews
"At a Court held for Botetourt County the 10th day of November 1772-This Instrument of writing purporting to be the the last Will and Testament of William Mathew deceased was presented in Court by George Mathews one of the Executors herein named and proved by Oaths of John Murray and John Mathews Two of the Witnesses and ordered to be recorded And on the Motion of the said George who made Oath according to Law Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate hereof in due form whereupon the said George together with John Murray & Thos. Madison his Securities entered into and acknowledged Bond as the Law directs in the sum of Two Thousand Pounds and leave is reserved to the other Executor to join in the probate hereof.
Teste David May DC]
"Exd.
"A COPY TESTE: George E. Holt, Jr., Clerk Botetourt County Circuit Court by B. M. Allen, Deputy Clerk, Recorded in Will Book "A", Page 19 and 20 Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk's Office."
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