James City County, VA - Will of John Custis, 1753

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VIRGINIA COLONIAL RECORDS PROJECT
Depository: Principal Probate registry
Class: Will-Register Books 287 Searle
Reference: Probate Act Book 1753

WILL OF JOHN CUSTIS 1753


Will of John Custis of the city of Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia.

His executor to spend L100 for a fine, large, white marble tombstone engraved with 
coat of three parrots, and this inscription:

"Under this marble stone lies the body of the Honorable John Custis, esquire, of the city 
of Williamsburg and parish of Bruton, formerly of Hungars Parish on the Eastern Shore of 
Virginia and County of Northampton, the place of his nativity, aged years and yet lived 
but seven years, which was a space of time he kept a bachelor’s house at Arlington on the 
Eastern Shore of Virginia. This inscription put on this stone by his own positive orders."

Testator’s body "and not a sham coffin" to be carried to his plantation of Arlington on the 
Eastern Shore of Virginia and buried beside his grandfather the Hon. John Custis, esq., where 
a large walnut formerly grew; the brick wall enclosing must be kept in good repair by the 
heir, who will be cut off with a shilling if he fails to obey any particular of this will; 
inheritance then goes to the next male Custis heir who will obey the will.

If tombstone does not arrive safe from England, the heir or executors shall send immediately 
to England for replacement.

To his friend Thomas Lee, esq., if living, L200 to buy any souvenir of testator he wishes.

To his friend John Blair, esq., L100, and to his wife Mrs. Mary Blair 5 guineas for a mourning 
ring.

His plantation at Arlington was entailed by his grandfather John Custis on testator’s male 
heirs; testator’s father John Custis, esq., had a patent in his own name for 250 acres of 
said plantation which he left in his will to testator, which testator now entails in exactly 
the same manner as the other 300 acres adjoining; it shall descend in exactly the same way 
as Smith’s Island and Moccon Island, which are firmly entailed by his grandfather’s will.

A deed of manumission recorded in York County Court freed his Negro boy John (called Jack), 
son of his slave Alice; the manumission is confirmed; estate heretofore given to said John is 
to go after John’s death to testator’s son Daniel Park Custis.

His executor to build a handsome strong house for said John on the land bought from James 
Morris, near the head of Queens creek in York County; the house to conform to dimensions set 
by testator and a plan drawn by John Blair, esq.; the house to be furnished with 1 doz. High
Russia leather chairs, 1 doz. low Russia leather chairs, a Russia leather couch, three good 
feather beds, with steads and furniture, 2 black walnut tables. Houses and fencing belonging 
to this plantation to be kept in good order and turned over to said John when he is twenty.

Said John to have at age of twenty a good riding horse and two young work horses.

To Mrs. Ann Moody, wife of Matthew Moody, if she survives testator, L20 annually for her life; 
also the picture of his Negro boy John.

His Negro boy John to live with testator’s son till he is twenty and to be handsomely 
maintained from profits of the estate given him.

To John Cavendish for many services, the house and lot where he now lives, for his natural 
life and free rent.

The rest of his estate to his son Daniel Park Custis, who is named as sole executor.

Signed 14 November 1749. Witness Thomas Dawson, George Gilmer, John Blair, Jr.

At a court for James City County, 9 April 1750. Will proved by Thomas Dawson, George 
Gilman [sic] and George [sic] Blair, Jr., the witnesses therein named. Ben. Waller, Cl. Cur.

Probate London 19 November 1753 to Daniel Parke Custis.

Marginal note records admon. 23 September 1784 to Wakelin Welch, attorney of Martha Washington, 
formerly Custis wife of H.E. the Hon. George Washington, now residing in Virginia, relict and 
administratrix of goods of Daniel Parke Custis, son and executor of John Curtis.