Will of William Nance, 1770 - Brunswick Co. VA WILL OF WILLIAM NANCE In the name of God Amen: November the 17th, 1770. I, William Nance, of the Parish of Meherrin in the County of Brunswick, being of sound disposing mind and memory, thanks be to Almighty God for the same, calling to mind the uncertainty of death and that all men must yield thereto when by God required, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament as followeth towit: I bequeath my soul to God who gave, hoping and trusting in the Merit and Advocacy of my Blessed Lord and Savior Christ for the remission of all my first follies and offenses, and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my executors hereinafter mentioned, and as touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bestow on me I shall dispose in manner following, after all my lawful debts are paid. Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Isham Nance and his heirs forever, two hundred acres of land lying in Mecklenburg County adjacent to Reuben Nance and William Fox, also one negro fellow named Harry, one pott, two chairs, bed and furniture, thirty pounds in money and the third part of my stock of cattle. Item: I give unto my son John Nance and to his heirs forever the tract of land I now live on, also three hundred and ninety acres of land lying in Mecklenburg County adjacent to Drury Malone and Edward Epps, also my negro wench Winney, a negro girl named Judy, one brass lock gun, one feather bed and furniture, two chairs, one chest and the third part of my stock of cattle. Item: I give unto my son Reuben Nance and to his heirs forever two hundred acres of land whereon he now lives being the upper part adjacent to Richard Warthin, also my negro boy named Cook, a negro girl named Luse, one cuba gun, a mare named Pigion, also a new market coat and the third part of all my stock of cattle. Item: I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Glover and to her heirs forever one negro girl named Phillis, a white horse, a fourth part of a negro girl named Hannah (when sold) and five sheep. Item: I give unto my daughter Tabitha Nance and to her heirs forever one negro fellow named Frank, one bed and furniture, five head of sheep, a mare named Poll, a fourth part of a negro girl named Hannah (when sold). Item: I give unto my daughter Mary Lanier and to her heirs forever one negro boy named Emmanuel, five sheep, and the fourth part of what my negro girl sells for, also eleven geese. Item: I give unto my daughter Sarah Lanier twenty pounds money, one negro girl named Doll (now in her possession), a negro girl named Sarah, also five sheep, and a fourth part of my negro Hannah (when sold) to her and her heirs forever. Item: I give my Sagathy coat to John Lanier. My will and desire is that my crop of corn and tobacco be sold to pay my debts, like I desire that all the remainder of my estate (except my hoggs) that I have not heretofore mentioned be sold, and after my debts and funeral charges is paid, that the remainder part be equally divided amongst my three sons; Isham, John and Reuben. Item: I give all my stock of hoggs to my son John Nance. I do hereby appoint make and ordain my three sons, Isham, John and Reuben my sole executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written. his William X Nance mark (Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said William Nance as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us who were present at the signing, sealing and publishing thereof. Joseph Floyd John Nipper Benjamin Walker) ----------- At a court held for Brunswick County the 25th day of February, 1771: This will was presented in court by Isham Nance and John Nance, two of the executors therein named who made oath thereto according to law, and the same being proved by the oaths of Joseph Floyd and Benjamin Walker, two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said executors, who together with Charles Collier, Joshua Winfield and Josiah Floyd their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of three thousand pounds with conditions as the law directs. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, and Reuben Nance, the other executor therein named personally in court refused to take upon himself the burden of the execution thereof or to join in the probate. Teste: P. Pelham, Jr. Clerk of Court. **************************************************************** USGENWEB 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. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************