First Regiment West Virginia Cavalry Major, Josiah Steele, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, wrote his Last Will & Testament while on his death bed, after being mortally wounded in action at Warrenton Junction, Virginia on Sunday, May 3rd, 1863.

     I do hereby will, devise and bequeath without reservation, unto my father Jonathan Steele of Wood County, State of Western Virginia, the land now owned by me, situated in said Wood County, State of Western Virginia, the land now owned by me, situated in said Wood County, Western Virginia, and containing One hundred and sixty acres, be the same more or less, together with all the buildings and improvements thereon, a portion of this land being now occupied by my father Jonathan Steele.

     I do hereby will, devise and bequeath without reservation, unto my father Jonathan Steele, of Wood County as aforesaid, the land now owned by me in North Adams County State of Illinois, being one quarter section according to survey and containing one hundred and sixty acres, be the same more or less, the deed of said land to me being now in the possession of my father Jonathan Steele as aforesaid.

     I do hereby will, devise and bequeath without reservation unto my father Jonathan Steele of Wood County as aforesaid.
     First. A certificate of deposits in the North Western Bank of Virginia for Five Hundred Dollars: dated Parkersburg October fourth One thousand eight hundred and sixty two; said certificate being numbered Two hundred and eight, and drawn in the name of Lieut. J. Steele.

     Second. A certificate of the United States Treasurer, numbered two hundred and forty, for One thousand dollars, dated March ninth One thousand eight hundred and sixty three, drawing four per centum interest, and drawn in the name of J. Steele.

     Third. The sum of One hundred and ninety three dollars in bankable funds now in the possession of P. Gardner, Surgeon of the First Regiment Virginia Cavalry, and to be paid by him to the Executor of this Instrument.

     I do hereby will, devise and bequeath unto my father Jonathan Steele of Wood County aforesaid my horse and equipments, as follows;
First - One --- horse
Second - One bay horse
Third - Such equipments as may belong to the same now with the regiment of First Virginia Cavalry.
     I do hereby will, devise and bequeath unto my father Jonathan Steele of Wood County aforesaid, One Sabre.
     I do hereby will, devise and bequeath unto Captain Charles Capehart One Sabre, being the one usually used by me.
     I do hereby will, devise and bequeath unto my father Jonathan Steele of Wood County aforesaid, all of my back arrears and pay due me from the United States from the first day of March One Thousand Eight-Hundred and Sixty-Three.
     I do hereby will, devise and bequeath unto my father Jonathan Steele of Wood County aforesaid, any and all property real and personal, and all goods, effects and chattels, and all monies, now in my legal possession, and which may not have been herein specified.
     And I do hereby declare and appoint as the Executor of this my last Will and Testament, my father Jonathan Steele of Wood County, State of Western Virginia.
     I, Josiah Steele, do hereby sign, seal, and deliver this instrument in Fairfax Court House State of Virginia, on the Eleventh day of May Anno Domini One Thousand Eight-hundred and Sixtythree.

Signed: Josiah Steele

Witnessed by:
Henry Capehart (Surgeon 1st Va Cavl.)
William H. Kent (Capt. & A.D.C. to Maj. Gen. Stahele(?)

FAIRFAX COURTHOUSE
May 11th 1863

     Josiah Steele Major of the First Regiment Virginia Cavalry having the above Instrument read to him, and being of sound mind, acknowledged that he signed the same of his own free will and accord, as his last will and testament, the attestations having been made before signing.

Signed: Jul Stahele(?), Maj Gen

Witnesses: P. Gardner; W. H. Kent, Capt. & A.D.C.

     RECORDER'S OFFICE WOOD COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA the Wednesday following the 2nd Monday in August 1863.
     Jonathan Steele produced before me in said office the last will and Testament of Josiah Steele deceased late Major of the First Regiment of Virginia Cavalry proven by the attestation of Henry Capehart Surgeon of said Cavalry regiment, and William H. Kent Capt & A.D.C. to Maj Genl. Stahele witnesses thereto, and the certificate of Maj Genl Jul Stahele, certifying the execution and acknowledgement of said will by said Testator, dated at Fairfax Court House May 11th 1863 thereto annexed is therefore admitted to record in said office. And on motion of the said Jonathan Steele the executer therein named who made oath thereto, and together with M. P. Arniss his security. Entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $4000. conditioned as the law directs, Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form, and thereupon said Jonathan Steele took an oath that the writing admitted to record contains the last will of the deceased as far as he knows or believes, and that he will faithfully perform the duties of his office as such executor to the best of his judgment.

Source: Obtained from the Office of the County Clerk, Wood County, West Virgina by Linda Fluharty.