In the name of God, Amen. I Edwin Drewry of the county and state aforesaid being of sound mind and disposing memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following.
First -- It is my will and desire that all my just debts should be paid out of any money that I may have at my death or property sold for that purpose as my Executrix may think best.
Second -- It is my will and desire that all the property that I may die possessed (####Don says disposed not die possessed) with be kept together in the possession of my wife Eliza J. Drewry during her natural life or widowhood until she may think that there is property left by me that the money for which said property would sell for, would be of more value to her and our children (aforesaid (##### Don says described) property could be in that (several #### don says most) -- it is my wish she should sell said property and apply the money as she may think best for her and our children's benefit in fact it is my will and desire that my wife act with my property during her life or widowhood as tho. she was the owner of it (all in fee simple ##### Don says she in for simply) having confidence in her believing she will do the best she can for our children, and also wishing her to be made comfortable as she can in her old age. It is my will and desire that as our children should come to the age of twenty one years or marry that my wife should let them have such property or money as she may think in her judgment she can spare without interfering with her raising and schooling our younger children. It is my will when she gives off my property to any of our children that they then take it at a fair valuation and for them to account for it without interest at the general division of my estate. I would have advised my wife to be careful not to let the children have that which she thinks she would need and also not to give one more than his or her part of my estate would amount to nor would I wish her to withhold from them that she could will them this is only advice. I wish her to do as she may think best. My will and desire is that at her death or marriage of my wife Eliza J. Drewry that all my property which may be in her possession at said time be equally divided with the exceptions below, between all our children, namely Fenton H. Drewry, Eldridge H. Drewry, Augustus S. Drewry, Edwin A. Drewry, Frances E. Drewry, Demarius Drewry, Nicholas B. Drewry, Nancy H. Drewry, Cleora C. J. Drewry, Joseph F. Drewry and Lucius Drewry to them and their heirs forever. If any of my said children should die without coming of lawful age or having lawful heirs in that event it is my will and desire that his, her or their part be equally divided among the survivors of my children and their lawful heirs to them and their heirs forever.
(as share lossan ##### don says use at those cousin) children who have received no education and some that have that have not recv'd as much as I intended to give them it is my will and desire should my wife marry or die soon after the date of this without educating those under named children that the under named sums be applied by my admin. or (admin) for the purpose of educating those of said sum of money to come out of the mass of my estate to Demarius and Nicholas B. Drewry such to have the sum of one hundred dollars to spend in the most economical manner that may be to finish their education to Nancy H., Cleora C. J., Joseph F. and Lucius Q. Drewry each of them to have the sum of four hundred dollars to be applied to their education and then for each of them to come in for an equal share of my remaining estate. I think my meaning may be understood to not wish to give one child more than another has. I think it will take the above named sums of money to educate said children as much as the older ones has recv'd. Should my wife can cut them in part and thus die or marry. I wish my (adult) with the advise of the (inforine) Court show fitting as a Court. I ordinary sparred them of manyy as they may think best for finishing their education nor do I wish they should have no part of their over property spared in educating them but should their educations think best sparred as much of this over in educating them or they think proper but should my wife live to educate them this item to be null and void. It is my will and desire they my son Fenton H. Drewry (said) account for the sum of one hundred and seventy five dollars at the general division of my estate which may be left at the death or marriage of my wife without interest, also that my son Eldridge H. Drewry shall account for the sum of one hundred and eighty five dollars at the direction and on same terms where that my son Augustus S. Drewry account for the sum of fifty dollars at same time and on same terms, also my son Edwin A. Drewry account for the sum of fifty dollars at same time and same terms so each of them has received said accounts from me. It is my will and desire if my wife Eliza J. Drewry should marry or die before my youngest heir should arrive to the age to take his or her proportional part that my estate should be managed agreeable to her in such case made and provided with the above exceptions and should my wife Eliza live until our youngest child should be capable of taking charge of his or her property then it is my will and desire that my property be equally divided at her death among my children or their legal heirs each one accounting for the sum or sums they may have recieved from me as above or from their mother after my death. I hope my wife will keep a book of entry of will that they may let each of our children have it in my wish that each child may account for what they may receive from their mother without interest.
Lastly, As I have left my beloved wife Eliza J. Drewry to manage of my estate so I have her sole Executrix of this my last will and testament hoping our children will assist her in any thing they (community) can.
Written with my own hand and given under my hand and seal this 28th September 1846.
E. Drewry (seal)
This codicil to the above I make this thirtieth day of September in the year of our Lord, Eighteen hundred and forty seven. I (from) about a negro girl last Spring by the name of Ester about fifteen years old said negro I leave to my son Fenton H. Drewry during his natural life and at his death it it my will and desire that said negro with her increase be equally divided between the lawful heirs of his body, to them and their heirs forever. Given under my hand and seal this day and date above written.