Night Watchman–PLAIN text
Edgar Allan Poe–BOLD text
Welcome to Celebrate Creativity and the Hall of Imagination. Today I would like to talk about a man who played a crucial role in the family fortune surrounding Edgar Allan Poe. This wealthy individual was known as William Galt, and he was a wealthy businessman in Richmond, Virginia. Galt was known as "Uncle" William to the Allans, though he wasn't actually John Allan's uncle. At the time of his death in 1825, Galt was considered the wealthiest man in Virginia. His assets included extensive real estate in Richmond and Lynchburg, plantations throughout Virginia, sawmills, bank stocks, and hundreds of slaves.
I have here a copy of his will, and I'm asking you, Mr. Poe, to read from the document.
Certainly, Mr Bartley
I, WILLIAM GALT, of the City of Richmond, State of Virginia, bearing always in mind, and admonished by the circumstances of my present state, as well as by the word of truth, recorded in Sacred Scripture, which I cherish as the foundation of my firm faith and the anchor of my hope for happiness in an eternal state, how uncertain is the tenure of human life, as it now exists, and being desirous, while it is permitted me, to dispose of my temporal means and estate, the result, under Divine Providence, of my own, I trust, honest exertions, as it becometh my duty and my relations to God and man, do make this my last will and testament, which it is my desire should bear witness to my firm faith in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the source of all my existing hope and consolation.
Mr. Poe - I find it most interesting that a will would emphasize religious philosophy in such an unapologetic manner.
Ah, Mr. Bartley - that strong belief in religion was central to the 19th century and would be integral to any important legal document. But permit me to continue.
1st. I desire that all my just debts be paid, they are few and small, compared with my means. Intending an equitable distribution of my visible estate in Virginia, with the exception after mentioned, among my near kinsmen near me, namely, John Allan, William Galt, Jun. and his brother James Galt, all of the City of Richmond, the first my nephew, the other two, nearest kinsmen of my name, children of my adoption and nurture.
And Mr. Bartley, let me interject here, as you may know John Allen was my foster father, and a Scottish-born merchant who ran the firm Ellis & Allan with his partner Charles Ellis. I must point out that Mr. Allan’s business was moderately successful, but he experienced financial difficulties, particularly after an unsuccessful attempt to expand overseas to England.
Ah, yes Mr. Poe - could you refresh our memories regarding the impact on the Allan family.
Certainly, Mr. Bartley - permit me to read the 2nd portion of the will.
I give, devise and bequeath to the said John Allan, my three landed estates, named the “Byrd,” lying and being situate in the Counties of Goochland and Fluvanna, on the Byrd Creek, with the slaves, stocks and property of all kinds belonging thereto; also, the following real estate in the FOURCity of Richmond, to-wit: my land and tenements on E Street, now occupied by Hall & Moore, and Mrs. Higginboth, with the stores of the latter tenement; my vacant lot corner of F and 2nd Streets, opposite the residence of Charles Ellis; my land and tenement on 14th Street, now in his occupation, and my land and store on 15th Street, occupied by Ellis and Allan, wooden tenement on the same street, occupied by Pascal, and my square parcel of land in the rear thereof. I also give and bequeath to Mrs. Allan, the wife of said John, my Carriage and horses.
Impressive, Mr. Poe - although it does seem strange today to include - slaves- living human beings as property that can be transferred.
Ah, Mr. Bartley - such were the times. William Galt was known as "Uncle" William to the Allans, though he wasn't actually John Allan's uncle. At the time of his death in 1825, William Galt was considered the wealthiest man in Virginia. His assets included extensive real estate in Richmond and Lynchburg, plantations throughout Virginia, sawmills, bank stocks, and hundreds of slaves. But permit me to continue reading the will…
3rdly. I give, devise and bequeath to the said William Galt, Junior, one equal moiety in value of my landed estate in Fluvanna, named “The Fork” containing at this time three several plantations on the Fluvanna or James River, with a like moiety of the slaves, stocks and property of all kinds belonging thereto. Also the following real estate in the City of Richmond, to-wit: my land and tenement fronting on E Street occupied by myself as a dwelling house, by Norman Stewart, the land and tenement on 14th Street the ground floor whereof is occupied by the Clerk of the United States Court, to the said William Galt, Junr. his heirs and lawful distributees in absolute property forever
Mr. Poe, he must have been a very generous individual.
Ah, Mr. Bartley - let me continue. And do not be so hasty with your assumptions.
4thly. I give and bequeath to the said James Galt, one equal moiety in value, of all my slaves, stocks and property of all kinds belonging to the Fork estate, whereof the other moiety has been, in the last article given and bequeathed to William Galt, Jun. his brother; but as the said James Galt is a native of Scotland, and although he has sometime since, in due form of law, declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States of America, and in pursuance thereof has abjured allegiance to his native Soverign.
Mr. Poe - I had no idea that William Galt owned so much property.
6thly. I give and devise to the said John Allan and William Galt, jun. in equal and undivided moieties, my lumber house, stables and lots of land inclosed on Tobacco Alley, between 13th and 14th Streets, to them and their heirs forever.
Ah, Mr. Bartley - I must interject - this sudden change in the family's fortunes occurred during my formative years and likely had a significant impact on my perceptions of wealth, status, and family dynamics. This fact is essential to understanding my development. Now let me continue.
7thly. I give and bequeath my household furniture to William Galt, Jun. and my watch and wearing apparel to the said James Galt.
Ah, Mr. Bartley - I must interject here that William Galt left John Allan approximately 4,040 acres of land in his will. The estate left to Allan was estimated to be worth The inheritance was estimated at $750,000—roughly $22 million in 2026 dollars. It transformed John Allan from a moderately successful merchant into one of Richmond’s wealthiest men.
With his newfound wealth, John Allan made a significant purchase: He bought Moldavia, a luxurious two-story brick house whose name combined those of its earlier owners, Molly and David. The purchase price was $14,950—roughly $440,000 in 2026 dollars.
A beautiful home worth almost 4 1/2 million dollars!
Mr. Bartley, The house featured a mirrored ballroom, hand-carved mantel, wide mahogany stairway, and even an octagonal dining room.
Mr. Poe, I have read that the estate is believed to have inspired your later story "The Fall of the House of Usher.
Be that as it is, Mr. Bartley, at the time of William Galt's death and Allan's inheritance, I was 16 years old. This sudden change in the family's fortunes occurred during my formative years and likely had a significant impact on my perceptions of wealth and status
Not to mention your family dynamics.
But permit me to continue …
8thly. It is my will and desire that the business carried on in the City of Richmond under the firm of William & William Galt, jun. be continued for the benefit, from its commencement, of the said John Allan, William Galt, jun. and James Galt, each being equally, that is to say, one third interest
Mr. Poe - I have to admit that I just don’t understand that legalese language, but I am sure that William Galt knew what he was doing.
9thly. I give, devise and bequeath to Elizabeth Galt, the land and brick tenement now occupied by her, with the adjoining two vacant lots of land in the said City, all which I purchased at the sale of John Lesslie's estate, and also the negro woman Annie, with her increase, to her and her heirs forever.
Mr. Poe - again, it is beyond strange for us today to talk about living human beings and their children as property, but I guess that the mindset of those living during William Galt’s time.
10thly. I give and bequeath to John Allan and William Galt, jun, and the survivor of them, in trust, that they and he shall hold and apply the same to and for the sole use and benefit of the said Elizabeth Galt and her children, fifty shares of the new stock of the Bank of Virginia, and fifty shares of the stock of the Farmers’ Bank of Virginia.
11thly. I desire that the acting executor or executors hereinafter named set free my negro woman Patty and my negro boy Belmour, and thereupon give the former twenty, the latter forty dollars.
12thly. I release to the Rev. John H. Rice and to Phill Pleasants, the debt which each respectively owes me.
Mr. Poe - sounds like William Galt took care of everything.
Yes, Mr. Bartley - he appears to be quite thorough in most of his financial affairs. But let me continue.
13thly. I direct, authorize and empower my Executors hereinafter named or such of them as are qualified to act, to sell my plantation in the Counties of Campbell and Amherst, on the part whereof in Amherst a Merchant Mill has been built, with the slaves, stock and property of all kinds thereon; also all the real estate which I own in the town of Lynchburg, and the vacant lot opposite the Monumental Church, which I purchased.
14thly. I give and bequeath to the trustees of Hampden Sidney College in addition to the permanent fund of the Theological Seminary, thirty shares of the Stock of the Farmers’ Bank of Virginia.
15th. I desire that ten shares of my old stock of the Bank of Virginia, be secured to the use of the First Presbyterian Church, in the City of Richmond, so that the profits accruing therefrom, be applied in aid of the Minister's salary; and I enjoin it upon my Executors to have this well and lawfully done.
16th. I give and bequeath to the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, one thousand dollars.
17th. I give and bequeath to Miss Ann M. Valentine, two thousand dollars.
Mr. Poe - I know that back during your earthly life, that was a great deal of money.
Mr. Bartley, permit me to discuss Miss Ann Valentine at length here because she was so important to my development..
Certainly, Mr. Poe - Please educate us, Mr. Poe.
Certainly, Mr. Bartley. Miss Valentine was the elder sister of Frances Keeling Valentine Allan, who, as you know, was John Allan's first wife and your foster mother. She was known to me as "Aunt Nancy.” And her full name was Anne Moore Valentine. She showed affection towards me throughout her life, with her affection never failing to follow me till death stilled her loyal heart. She even accompanied the Allans and myself on our trip to England in 1815, being mentioned in John Allan's letter regarding our arrival in England. She also seems to have been a constant presence in the Allan household, providing support and companionship to her sister Frances.
Mr. Poe - what did she do after John Allan’s death?
Ah, Mr. Bartley, after John Allan's death and his second marriage, Ann Valentine continued to live with Allan's second wife, Louisa G. Allan, who provided her with "protection, kindness and support" until Ann's death on January 23, 1850, at the age of 63.
Mr. Poe, I can see that Ann M. Valentine appears to have been a significant figure in your early life, providing a stable and affectionate presence in the Allan household during your formative years.
Yes, Mr. Bartley - the will is quite lengthy with its legal language and I am not going to read it all - but let me continue with some relevant examples -
I give my pew in the First Presbyterian Church to the said John Allan, William Galt, Jr. and James Galt.
I give and bequeath to Doctor James Black in trust for and to the exclusive use of Mrs. William Dennison, one thousand pounds sterling.
Lastly, revoking all wills and testaments by me heretofore made I hereby name and appoint the said John Allan, William Galt, Jr. and James Galt, executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I the said William Galt, the testator have to this my last will and testament, set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty five.
WILLIAM GALT W. G.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by William Galt, Sen’r, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence and hearing of us, who at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses attesting the same.
Mr. Poe - could you give us a brief sequence of events regarding John Allan and your relationship.
Certainly, Mr. Bartley. First, John Allan married Frances Keeling Valentine on February 5, 1803. The dear lady who was my foster-mother, Frances Allan died on February 28, 1829. John Allan then remarried on October 5, 1830, to Louisa Gabriella Patterson - a rather traumatic event to me.
Then John Allan died in 1834. After John Allan's death, that wonderful lady, Ann M. Valentine continued to live with Louisa G. Allan, John's second wife.
The correct sequence shows that John Allan remarried while he was still alive, and it was after his death that Ann Valentine continued to live with his second wife, Louisa. Mr. Bartley, I must point out that this clarification is important for understanding the dynamics of the Allan household. The second marriage of John Allan during his lifetime was a factor in the deterioration of his relationship with me, his son.
Thank you, very much, Mr. Poe
Mr. Bartley, Permit me to take my leave Farewell, Mr. Bartley
Goodbye, Mr. Poe.
William Galt’s will - the will I have discussed today - is like a marker regarding the development of Edgar Allan Poe - Mr. Galt certainly left a tremendous amount of money and land to John Allan - and Poe’s life would have been dramatically different if John Allan had only left a portion of those resources to his own foster-son instead of rejecting Edgar.
From POE' S standpoint, John GALTS may have resulted in one of those hopeless quests of the soul that drive many artists to the greatest heights of creation and the lowest depths of despair.
Thank you for listening to celebrate creativity and the hall of imagination. This has been George BARTLEY.
Sources include The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe by Hervey Allen, The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, by Edgar Allan Poe, edited by James Albert Harrison, The Poe Log: A Documentary Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Dwight R. Thomas and David K. Jackson, Edgar Allan Poe: A Life From Beginning to End (Biographies of American Authors,) Evermore by Dr. Harry Lee Poe: Edgar Allan Poe and the Mystery of the Universe: The Reason for the Darkness of the Night by John Tresch, Poe and Place by Phillip Edward Phillips, Poe in His Own Time by Benjamin F. Fisher, and The Afterlife of Edgar Allan Poe by Scott Peoples.
Thank you for listening to Celebrate Creativity. This has been George Bartley.