In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Casteel of the County of Russell and State of Virginia being sick and weak in body but in sound mind & disposing memory for which I thank God and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous of disposing of such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath the same in the following manner that is to say first I give my body to the grave and my soul to God that gave it, next I give to my daughter Jean my negro girl named Sarah at her marriage or her mothers death and my land to my son Samuel to have all my land at his mothers death and all my other estate to Margaret my wife during her natural life after all my just debts being first paid and at her death all my other effects to equally divided among my children and my son Joseph to have that part of the land where he now lives as long as he sees cause to live on it and one negro girl named Rachel to my wife to give to which of the children she shall think fit and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends John McClellan and Margaret Casteel my executor and executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty seventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and three.
his
Joseph O Casteel (Seal)
mark
Signed sealed and pub
lished as and for the last
Will and Testament of
the above named Joseph
Casteel in the presence of us
John McClellan
Josiah McCleland
At a Court held for Russell County April the 28th of February 1804 This Instrument of writing was exhibited in court as and for the last will and Testament of Joseph Casteel dec'd and proven by the oath of John McClelland and Josiah McClelland witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
And on motion of John McClelland and Margaret Casteel executor and executrix therein named certificate is granted them for obtaining letters Testamentory in due form they having first made oath thereto and entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penal sum of two thousand dollars with Spencer Ball and James Osburn their security conditioned as the law directs
Teste
Nathan Ellington D.C.
The following Law Order Book entry identifies the wife and children of Joseph Casteel:
Law Order Book #3, Page 535, 06 Aug 1806
In Chancery: John Casteel, Joseph Casteel, Samuel Strong and Nancy his wife, William Glenn and Rosannah his wife, William Casteel and Meomy? Casteel (the two last, infants under the age of 21 years) by John Casteel their brother & next friend - plaintiffs, against Margaret Casteel, John McClellan executrix and executor of the will of Joseph Casteel dec'd, Samuel Casteel & Jenny Casteel - defendants.