Will of Samuel Mathews, 1754 - Dinwiddie Co. VA In the name of God, Amen. I, Samuel Mathews of the Parish of Bath in the County of Dinwiddie being very sick and weak but in perfect mind and memory Thanks be to Almighty God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainity of this mortal life and that it is appointed for all men to die when it shall please God to call Do make and ordain in this my last will and testament as followeth: ____I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it hoping through the mind and suffering of of my Savior to receive again ___ ___ and my body to be buried in a decent manner at the descretion of my Executors herafter named. Item My desire is that all my just debts be paid. Item I lend to my well beloved wife, Ann Mathews all my ____ Negroes good and chattle so long as she is a widow and after her widowhood to be divided among my two sons and two daughters and my land to be equally divided between my two sons. Item I give to my son, William Mathews, that part of my land where my Plantation is to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Item I give to my son, John Matthews the other part of my land to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Item I give unto my son, John Matthews after my wifes widowhood his first choice of the young Negroes and after (insert) +- and then my daughter, Mary to have her choice of the young Negroes - Mary then my son William to have his choice of the young Negroes and after William then my daughter Elizabeth to have her choice of the young Negroes to them and their heirs assigns forever. Item I desire that after my wife widowhood all the remaining part of my estate to be equally divided among my four children Vir___: William, John, Mary & Elizabeth to them & their heirs E___Admin. and assigns forever. Item I nominate and appoint my loving wife Ann Mathews Executrix and David Walker__ and George Booth executors of this my last will & testament as Witness my hand and seal this Twenty fourth day of Jany One thousand Seven Hundred and fifty four. Saml Matthews (LS) Signed seal & Delivered in presence of Test-Peter Thomas, George Tucker, Rachel (her mark)Lawrence Dinwiddie P? April four 1754 - This will proved by the oath of George Tucker and Rachel Lawrence two of the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Ann Matthews, David Walker Jr. & George Booth, the Executors therein named who made oath according to law certification granted them for obtaining a probate thereof and in form giving security whereupon they together with William(?)_____ ______their Security _____into & acknowledged their bond in the Sum of one thousand pounds for their ____ and faithful performance of the said will and __ A copy test Geo. Nicholas __ __ Submitted by Shirley Matthews **************************************************************** 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. ****************************************************************