Amherst County VA - Will of Robert E. Mays, 1808 File submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Paul E Burd ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ Will of Robert Mays of Amherst County In the name of God Amen. I Robert Mays of Amherst County, being in my proper senses, and knowing the Certainty of death, and the uncertainty of the time it may happen, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the manner and form following: (To Wit:) I give to my son Jesse Mays one hundred and six acres of Land, it being part of the tract of land I purchased of William Tucker whereon the said Jesse Mays has built and is now living, Item I give to my son Pierce the balance of the tract of land I purchased from William Tucker, Item I give to my beloved wife Susannah the tract of land whereon I now live during her natural life, and at her death to be equally divided between my two sons Joseph B. Mays and Ballenger Mays. Item I give to my son Joseph B. Mays one sorrel mare. More a feather bed and furniture and a cow and calf; Item I give to my son Ballenger Mays a sorrel mare (called Dimond) a feather bed and furniture and a cow and calf; Item I give to my daughter Polly Mays one negro girl named Sarah, a sorrel Horse Colt (out of a Mare called Kitty) a feather bed and furniture and a cow and calf. The whole of the balance of my estate I wish to remain in possession of my wife during her natural life and at her death and for the whole with its increase to be equally divided between my children above named. To wit Jesse, Pearce, Joseph B., Ballenger and Polly Mays to them and to their heirs forever. Finally I appoint my trusty friends Charles Tucker, J. W. Smith and my son Pearce Mays executors to this my last Will and Testament given under my hand and seal this third day of June 1806. Robert Mays, his mark. Teste Charles Taliaferro, Peter Taliaferro, James Clements. At a Court held for Amherst Co. the 18th day of July 1808 This last Will and Testament of Robert Mays deceased was proven by Charles Taliaferro, Peter Taliaferro and James Clements, three witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And Charles Tucker, John Smith and Pearce Mays the executors named in said will hereon came in to Court and qualified according to Law and together with John Crawford and John Fulcher their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $5,000 current money conditional as the Law directs. At a Court held for Amherst Coounty the 19th day of September 1808 This Bond was acknowledged in open Court by the subscribers and ordered to be recorded. In obedience to the above order, we the subscribers being sworn have proceeded to appraise the slaves and personal Estate of Robert Mays deceased as follows: One woman slave, Sylvia 85 pounds 1 boy John L65- 1 Warwick 125 pounds 1 girl Mary 85 – 1 woman & child 110 175 pounds Two beds & furniture 18 pounds 1 smooth ? L3 1 pair of hand irons 15/0 3.15 a parcel of pewter 2.8.6 a parcel of earthen ware .6 2 jugs & 2 crocks .8 a parcel of tin ware .6 2 pairs of shears .3 1 pair of sad irons .7.6 2 linen wheels .12 2 sickles 4/ & 1 cupboard 12/ .16 1 Table 12/ 1 Trunk and Chest L1.4 1.14 5 Chairs 7/6 4 pair of Cords 12/ .14.6 2 Cotton Wheels L1/14 – 1 ? Saw L1.10 2.16 1 pair of steelgards 1.2 1 auger 1 chisel .3 1 pair of wedges 1 Bell .13 1 Drawing Knife and fro .8 1 parcel of old iron .18 1 piece of new iron .9 . 6 2 pair of iron traces .18 3 pole axes .12 1 hemp hackle .7 . 6 7 hoes 1.1 8 head of cattle 15.15. 4 1 yoke oxen 9.12 29 head hogs 17.8 1 grey horse 18 1 sorrel mare 12 1 black horse 12 1 small grey horse 12 14 geese 1.15 .6 8 sheep 4 1 large pot, hooks, ladle & skimmer 1.4 1 ditto .18 1 small ditto .6 1 large oven .18 1 small ditto with hooks .7 1 skillet .4 1 log chain .6 1 loom .18 4 weaving heads .9 2 old Books & candlestick .3 At a Court held for Amherst County the 19th day of September 1808 This Inventory and appraisement of the Este of Robert Mays deceased, was this day returned and ordered to be recorded. Teste Bartlett Cash William Sandidge John Ball