Will of Benjamin Williams
(Will Book 1, page 71, Greensville Co.VA.)

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Benjamin Williams of Brunswick County and
Parish of Saint Andrews being Sick and weak of Body but of Sound mind
and memory thanks be to God that gave it and calling to mind the
mortality of Life and the shortness of time as it is appointed for all
Men to Die,hath made and ordained this to be my last Will and Testament
first of all I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God and my
Body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian manner, nothing doubting
but to receive the same through the merit of Jesus Christ my Lord at 
the last day and as touching such worldly Estate as it has been pleased
God to Bless me with I give and bequeath and dispose of in the form and
manner following: ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Son Charles Williams
my Land that lays on Benning fields Creek containing one hundred and
ninety two acres more or less also one Bed one mare and cols which he
has in possession to him and his heirs for ever. ITEM I give and 
bequeath unto my Daughters Tabitha Williams and Susanna Williams one
feather Bed and furniture a piece, that is called their own to them and
their heirs forever. ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann 
Williams the first Child my Negroe wench Patt brings, to her & her 
heirs forever. ITEM I lend unto my beloved wife Mary Williams the Land
and Plantation whereon I now live with all the appurtenances thereto 
belonging containing Seventy five acres more or less, also one Negroe
wench named Patt, during the time she remains my widow and after her
widowhood is expired, I leave the said Land and Plantation to my Son
Jones Williams and his heirs and assigns forever and the said Negroe
wench Patt, and her increase after her first Child that lives, I leave
to be Sold and the money arising from the sale of them to be equally
divided between my sons William Williams, Thomas Williams, and Benjamin
Williams and their heirs and assigns for ever. ITEM All the remainder
part of my Estate of Whatsoever kind I leave to be sold to discharge
my just Debts and funeral expences if any part remains of over plus, to
go to my wife and support of my Children. NOTE I leave my beloved wife
Mary Williams my Son Charles Williams and Thomas Morris Executors of 
this my last Will and Testament, and my Children to remain with their
Mother so long as they see cause to stay with her. IN WITNESS I have
hereunto set my hand and seal this the twenty sixth day of December one
thousand seven hundred and seventy six.
Benjamin Williams (LS)

John Bishop
Thomas Laurence

At a Court held for Greensville County the 23 day of December 1784
This Will was proved according to law by Thomas Lawrence a witness 
thereto and at a Court held for the said County the 24th day of 
February 1785 the said Will was further proved by the oath of John
Bishop the other witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. And the 
Executrix and Executors therein named refused to take upon themselves 
the Burthen of the Execution thereof. On the motion of Thomas Williams
who made oath thereto and together with Nathaniel Mabry and Frederick
Whittington his securities entered into and achnowledged their Bond in
the penalty of one thousand pounds Conditioned as the Law directs,
Certificate was granted him for obtaining Letters of Administration of
the said Estate with the said Will annexed in due form.
Test P.Pelham C&Cur.


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