Will of John Shepherd, 1796 - Fluvanna Co. VA Will Book 1 (Old Series), p. 151-153. In the name of God Amen. I, John Shepherd of the County of Fluvanna, being at this time of sound mind and disposing memory, do make, constitute, and ordain this to be my last will and testament, in manner and form following: Imprimis, I give to my daughters, Joanna and Annis, one negro girl each, one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, one ewe and lamb each, to be delivered by my executors at their marriage or as they arrive at lawful age. I lend unto my beloved wife, Mary Shepherd, the plantation and the land whereon I now live (except my son Augustine Shepherd should go to Kentucky and be inclined to purchase land in that part, then it is to be sold for him so as not to interfere with the plantation by my executors in order for him to purchase land in that country) with all my stock of horses, cows, hogs and sheep, to be by her freely enjoyed as also my household and kitchen furniture, plantation and blacksmith's tools during her natural life, and the whole of my negroes except one to each of my daughters as in before mentioned. Item: I give to my son John Shepherd, after the division of my estate the sum of fourty one pounds, eight shillings more than equal part with the rest of my sons. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Annis Shepherd, one woman's saddle and bridle, to be delivered to her by my executors when called upon, to her and her heirs forever. Item: If my son, Augustine Shepherd, should choose to live on the land whereon I now live, I give and bequeath to him after the death of my wife one hundred and fifty acres to be laid off at the lower part of my land including all houses to him and his heirs forever. Item: I also give and bequeath to my son, Augustine Shepherd, when he arrives at lawful age, one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, and one man's saddle to be delivered to him by my executors to him and his heirs forever. Item; I give and bequeath to my daughters, after the death of my wife, Mary Perry, Elizabeth Cocke, Joanna and Annis, Fifty pounds current money to be raised out of my estate by my executors to them and their heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Nancy Perkins, one negro girl named Lucy, now in her possession, also i give unto my said daughter after the death of my wife, fifty pounds current moneyto be raised out of my estate by my executors to her and her heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath tp my daughter, Frances Baskett, the land whereon she now lives to be enjoyed by her and her heirs forever. Item: It is my will and desire, if after all my just debts are paid, there should be any remainder either by by bill, bond or otherwise, the same be equally divided amongst all my children or their legal representatives. Item: It is my will and desire that if either of my children should die not having lawful issueor representatives of children alive at the time of his or her death, that then in that case, all and every part or parts of my estate hereby given them, shall revert tp the surviving brothers or sisters or their legal representatives/ Lastly I do constitute my sons David and Christopher Shepherd executors to this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto setmy hand and affixed my seal this sixteenth day of December, One thousand and seven hundred and ninety six. John Shepherd (seal) Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of: Thomas T. Davis David Johnson Jesse Perkins (husband of Nancy Shepherd) At a court held for Fluvanna County, February the 2nd, 1797. This will was this day in open court proved by the oathes of Thomas T. Davis, David Johnson and Jesse Perkins the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of David Shepherd and Christopher Shepherd the executors therein named who made oath thereto and entered in bond with William Basket and Benjamin Clarke their securities in penalty of Ten Thousand Dollars conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted for them for obtaining probate thereof in due form. Teste John Timberlake, C. C. Submitted by Jennifer Perkins Originally submitted to the Fluvanna County VAGenWeb page. Many thanks to Lee & Michele for providing a copy for the Archives Project. **************************************************************** 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. ****************************************************************