Jacob Rasnick Sr.

http://www.rasnickfamily.org/desofjacob.pdf

http://www.rasnickfamily.org/american%20jacob%20rasnick.htm

WILL OF JACOB RASNAKE Russell County, Virginia Will Book 4A, Pages 272 - 273 Executed 02 Jan 1827 Virginia, Russell County, November 24th day in the year of Christ 1826. I Jacob Rasnick sener. of said County on this day make my last will and testament in the manner and form following, to wit:

1st that is to say I direct my executor as soon as practable after my decease see on a ceadit as he may think best all my personal property.

2ndly I direct my funeral expenses be by my executor paid out of my estate 3rdly that all my just debts be paid out of my estate 4thly that my beloved wife Mary Rasnick receive of my executor out of my estate a reasonable suport dureang her natural life to the house and ground reserved to me & her in the contract between George & David Cowand & myself in the sale of my land to them that my executor give to here as she may need for her own suport. 5thly After the death of myself and wife I give to my son Jones Rasnick the sum of fifty dollars cash in addition to what I have allrady given him. 6thly that all the balance of my estate after the death of myself and wife be by my executor after paying all costs of administration and a reasonable allowance to my executor for his truble be eaqually divided between my daughters of the following names Christeana Fuller Nancy Fields and Polly Robinson 7thly and lastly that I apoint and constitute my friend Benjamin Sewell executor of this my last Will and Testament given under my hand and seal this day and date above writen in the presence of

his John Sewell Jacob X Rasnick Senr. (Seal) his mark William R Robinson mark Virginia, At a court held for Russell County the 2nd day of January 1827. This instrument of writing was exhibited in Court as and for the last Will and Testament of Jacob Rasnick Senr. deceased and proven by the oaths of John Sewell and William Robinson the two subsribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Benjamin Sewell executor therein named he made oath together with William Nash and Samuel G. Gibson his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $2,000 conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted the said Benjamin Sewell for obtaining letters testamentory in due form.

Teste James P. Carrell C.R.C.

From "John Counts of Glade Hollow" p. 24: Jacob Rasnake's family name has been spelled in different ways. In 1783 Shenandoah Co tax list, his name appears as "Reversnuck"; in 1785, as "Rosenake"; in 1786, as "Raresnake"; in 1787-88 as "Rearsnake." His descendants now spell the name "Rasnake," "Rasnick," or "Rasnic."

Jacob Rasnake was German. When about 18 years of age, he was conscripted by his ruler, probably in Hesse-Cassel, and hired to the British as a soldier in the American Revolution. Family tradition is that he was threshing wheat when seized by military officers. Failing to secure his release, his mother gave him a German Bible for use in a far-away land.

He came to America with the Hessian Troops, was captured at the Battle of Saratoga in October, 1777, and held as a prisoner of war - most of the time in the Valley of Virginia. When the war was over, the Hessian Prisoners were given the option of being returned to Europe or denouncing their rulers and remaining in America. He chose to stay in the New World.

He had already found many Germans, blood and speech of his own, in the Shenandoah Valley and, the year after peace brought his release from prison, he married one of them. Shenandoah Co tax records show that he owned 2 horses and 2 cattle the year following his marriage.

About 1789, they moved to Russell Co and settled in Glade Hollow, a few miles from the place her parents later settled. Here he purchased from Edward and Mary Smoot for the sum of 85 pounds "current money of Virginia" 195 acres of land, the deed bearing date 08-17-1790. Here they spent the remainder of their lives. In 1796, he also purchased 164 acres from Zach Henderson and wife. (P24, JOHN COUNTS OF GLADE HOLLOW)

More About Jacob Rasnick: Military service 1: Abt. 1744, Conscripted for Hessian Troops. Military service 2: Came to America with Hessian Troops. Military service 3: October 1777, Captured at Battle of Saratoga held as POW. Nationality: Germany. Property 1: Abt. 1789, 195 acres Glade Hollow, Russell Co., Virginia. Property 2: 1789, Glade Hollow purchased from Edward Smoot. Property 3: 1796, Purchased 164 acres from Zach Henderson.