The last will and testament of the late Robert Liskey, making distribution of an estate the value of which is variously estimated at from $200,000 to $275,000, was admitted to probate yesterday. Under the terms of the will the bulk of the estate is left to testator's three sons, George William, David Harrison and John Robert Liskey, whose two sister, Mrs Charles T. Painter and Mrs. John F. Ritchie, the latter now deceased, are each cut off with a pittance of between $5,000 and $6,000. In lieu of her dower, the widow, Mrs. Sarah M. Liskey, is goven for life one hundred acres of land, with building off of any part of the real estate - wich includes over 2,300 acres of choice faming land, all lying in one tract - remainder to the sons, together with an annuity of $300 to be paid in equal parts by the sons.
By virtue of an agreement, entered of record shortly after the will was probated, Mrs. Liskey yesterday acknowledged the receipt by her of (?)$3,600, paid by the three sons in consideration of the mother obligating herself to acquiesce in the will, rather than to renounce its provisions in her favor and claim her dower. The money will be distributed, Mrs. Liskey has indicated between Mrs. Painter and the children of Mrs. Ritchie for the purpose of lessening to that extent inequalities in the will in so doing she is setting in rocord with a purpose entertained by her husband when he declared that he wished to make certain changes in his will. A portion of this money was distributed yesterday.
Mrs. Liskey also released all claim to the "Flook" land, her maiden land, in the agreement had with her sons whereby the latter paid to her (?)$3,600.
The will, which bears date of May 25, 1894, was offered for probate by the three sons as the executors named in the instrument. It was proven by the oath of Charles M. Keezel, one of the attesting witnesses, by whom the signature of the late Winfield Liggett, the other attesting witness, was also proven. In the matter of the probate and in that of the qualification of the executors, the latter were represented by the firm of Sipe & Harris. Bond in the sum of $30,000 was given by the executors, all three named as such (illegible) the trust.
The will is as follows:
I, Robert Liskey, of Rockingham County, Virginia, do hereby make and publish this my last will and testament.
First: I appoint my three sons George William Liskey, David Harrison Liskey and John Robert Liskey, the executors of this my last will and testament and request that no security be required of them as such executors.
Secondly: I direct my executors as soon as possible after my death to pay all my just debts and the legacies herinafter bequeathed to my two daughters and to my two sons David Harrison and John Robert Liskey, and also to purchase and construct around the cemetery of Cedar Grove Church, near my redisence, a good and substantial iron fence.
Thirdly: I bequeath to my daughter, Mary Elizabeth Josephine Ritchie, the sum of five hundred dollars and I devise to her for and during her natural life, with remainder after her death to her children the "Coffman" farm of (illegible) acres on the Valley Pike near the toll gate and also the timber off of ten acres of the "Smith" land in the "Gravels," to be removed as she needs it. The said ten acres of timber to be selected and laid off at such place as my said executors shall deem proper.
Fourthly: I bequeath to my daughter Sarah M. Painter the sum of two hundred dollars and also devise to her for and during her natural life, with remainder after her death to her children, the tract of land containg about 97 acres known as the "Franklin Liskey" tract, adjoining the land of D. ?. Reherd and also the timber off of ten acres of the Smith timber land, adjoining the "Teter" tract, to be removed as she needs it, the said ten acres of timber to be selected and laid off at such place as my said executors shall deem proper.
Fifthly: I bequeath to my son David Harrison Liskey the sum of six hundred dollars in consideration of services rendered to me, and for the same cause I bequeath to my son John Robert Liskey the sum of three hundred dollars.
Sixthly: I devise to my wife Sarah M. Liskey in lieu of dower in my estate one hundred (100) acres with the buildings off of any portion of my real estate she may prefer, to have and to hold the same for and during her natural life and at her death to my said son George William, David Harrisonb and John Robert Liskey. I also bequeath to by said wife for and during her natural life the sum of three hundred dollars per annum, each of my said sons to pay her annually the sum of one hundred dollars in satisfaction of said annuity, and I hereby charge the real estate hereinafter devised to my said sons with the payment of siad annuity and when divided the share of each of my sons shall stand charged with the payment of $100 per anum to my said wife during her natural life.
Seventhly: All the residue of my estate, both real and personal, I devise and bequeath to my said sons George William, David Harrison and John Robert Liskey, share and share alike, and in case I should make partition of the real estate herein devised them during my lifetime, each one is to hold the same in severalty as divided by me. Witmess my hand and seal this 25th day of May, 1894.
Robert Liskey, (seal)
Witnesses:
Winfield Liggett
C. M. Keezel