Chesterfield County, VA - Will of Edward C. Archer, 1789 File submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nancy Slator ************************************************************************ 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net Edward C. Archer Will - December 30, 1789 In the name of God amen, I, Edward Archer of the County of Chesterfield, being of sound mind and memory, thanks to Almighty God for the same, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. Viz. I give unto my loving wife, Mary Archer, a Negro girl named Lilly, my rocking-chair and chair- horse to her and her heirs forever. Item: I devise unto my said wife during her widowhood the use of the plantation whereon I now live in Chesterfield County as also the one-fifth part of all the Negroes I have at the time of my death, one-fifth part of my stocks of every kind and household and kitchen furniture for and during her natural life, and this I declare to be in lieu and full satisfaction of her Dower in my whole Estate. Item: I give unto my Son, William Archer, the tract of land on the north side of Swift Creek containing three hundred acres which I purchased of William Archer, also the tract of land on Appomattox River, purchased of Leonard Stringer. I also give unto my said son William one-third of all the lots and vacant lands in Petersburg which I hold as tenant in common with George Robertson, to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give unto my Son, Field Archer, all that part of the tract of land whereon my father lived, that land on the south side of the Second Branch Road, also the tract of land I purchased of Jack Sturdivant, also one-third of all the lots and vacant land in Petersburg which I hold as tenant in common with George Robertson, to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give unto my Son, Edward Archer, the land and the plantation left to my wife during her life or widowhood, also that part of the tract whereon my father lived that lies on the north side of the Second Branch Road, but not to have possession until after her death or widowhood, as also one-third of all the lots and vacant lands in Petersburg which I hold as tenant in common with George Robertson, to hold the same to him and his heirs forever. Item: It is my will that all my Negro slaves which I shall die possessed of, as also those devised to my wife for life or widowhood where her interest shall herein determine, all my household and kitchen furniture, stock of every kind and all monies due me on Bond or otherwise be equally divided among all my children living at the time of my death, the Sons to have their separate shares as the attain the age of twenty-one years and the Daughters attain the age of eighteen or married, but in cases of the death of either of them before they attain the age of twenty-one for the Sons and eighteen for the Daughters or married, the share of each Decedent to be divided among the Survivors or Survivor. Item: It is my will that my whole Estate, except that devised to my wife for life, be held together until my children severally attain the age of twenty-one years for the Sons or the Daughters eighteen or marry, and also the monies which may be saved therefrom be equally divided among all my children in that same manner and at the same periods of time as my slaves are divided, first deducting therefrom the charges of their education and maintenance which charge I subject my whole Estate. Item: My will and desire is that all the lands I hold in Nelson County in Kentucky and lying on Beaverdam Creek, a Branch of Green River, seven miles above the long falls of said River and Town of Greensvill, may be equally divided among my three Sons, William, Field, and Edward and their heirs forever. Item: In case of the death of either of my Sons under the age of twenty-one years, then it is my desire, that the land devised to such Son be equally divided among my surviving Sons where the land does not join, but should one die that has land adjoining the other then and in that case, I desire my Executors hereafter mentioned, to value the said land, and the Son which joins the same may take it and pay the other Brother the one half of the value at three annual payments or divide the land with him, optionally in him which if the land. Item: I direct that my Executors hereafter mentioned or a majority of them may sell the following tracts of land: Oak Creek tract on White Oak Creek in Dinwiddie County, and the one-third of all undivided tracts in Halifax County which I hold as tenant in common with Charles Duncan and Neill Buchanan and the money arising therefrom to be divided by my said Executors among my Sons in such a manner as to make them equal with respect to what difference there may be in the value of the lands given to them in his County or at their option to lay out the money or so much thereof as they may think proper in purchasing other lands and to give the same among the Sons so as to put them up on an equality. Lastly, I do appoint my friends, Jefferson Cogbill, George Markham, and George Robertson to dispose of my lands herein directed to be sold, as appropriate to each or such of my Sons as much money as will put them upon an equality of lands and also do appoint my three Sons, William, Field, and Edward as Executors to settle all my other affairs relative to my Estate. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine. Witnessed in his presence Edward C. Archer and at his desire by: George Robertson C. Hornlove William Downman John Archer