King George County, VA - Will Book 1 (partial) *************************************************************************** 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 *************************************************************************** Page 1 Will of William Berry, February 5, 1720 From the original Will Book 1 of King George County In the name of God Amen I, William Berry, of Richmond County in the Parish of Hanover being indisposed in body but of perfect memory blessed be Almight God for the same, and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, do make ordain and constitute this to be my last will and Testament, revoking and disannulling all former wills and this to be my true last Will in manner and form following. First and pricipally I recommend my sould into the hands of Almighty God, hoping through the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour to have a Joyful resurrection and full pardon and aremisson of all my sins, and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter names and as for what worldly good it hat pleased God to bestow upon and bless me with, I shall dispose and leave them as followeth. Item: I give and bequeath to my two sons Joseph and Enoch Berry all the land I now stand possessed with in Essex County being nine hundred and fifty acres more or less to be equally divied between them allowing my eldest son Joseph to have the first choice and if my son Joseph shall see cause before his brother come to age to dispose or make sale of the whole or any part of the said land, either in his own or his brother's behalf, that then he shall do as he sees fit and convenient, and if my sons Enoch or Joseph shall die without heir then shall the said land return to the other brother, and if they shall both die without heirs, then it shall fall to my two daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth to them and thgeir heirs forever. Item: I give to my two sons Joseph and Enoch Berry my Mill with that parcel of land adjacent to the Millswamp, binding upon Andrew Harrison and James Key, to each an equal part to be at the dispose of my eldest son Joseph to see or make use of untill his brother comes to age. Item: I give and bequeath to my son Enoch Berry the plantation I now live on with all the land joining tghereto now in my possession being the third part of a certain patent granted to Enoch Doughty by computation five hundred acres to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body and for want of such heirs to fall to my son Joseph Berry and to his heirs lawfully begotten of his body. Item: I give to my daughters Margarett Rogers and Elizabeth Strother a certain tract of land known and distinguished by the name of the forest land binding upon Henry Berry, Mr. Fitzhugh & William Pannell, divided between them by a path and marked trees, my daughter Margaret to have her part where she now liveth to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her own body and the other part to my daughter Elizabeth to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her own body. Item: I give to my son Enoch Berry two beds and furniture, two cows and calves and one thousand pounds of Tobacco to be paid to him when he shall come to age. Item: I give to my daughter Margaret Rogers one bed and furniture, one cow and calf and seal skin trunk. Item: I give to my daughter Elizabeth Strother one bed and furniture, a chest of drawers and a cow and calf. Item: I give to my son Joseph Berry one bed and furniture, and all my carpenters and coopers tools and broad-cloth linen and trimming for a suit of clothes, viz: coat, vest and Breaches. Item: And it is my desire that all my other moveable estate be equally divided between my four children. Item: And Lastly I do constitute ordain and appoint my son Joseph Berry to be whole and sole executor of this my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this fifth day of February, 1720. William *Seal* Berry Teste: William Munford, Thomas Apperson, Anthony Seals, Senr. At a Court held for King George County the second day of June in the year of our Lord 1721: The last Will and Testament of William Berry, dec'd., was presented into court by Joseph Berry his Executor who made oath thereto and being proved by the oaths of William Munford and Thomas Apperson, witnesses thereto, is admitted to record. Teste: E. Turberville Cl:Cur: From the Record: A copy: Teste: L. Jett, D.C.K.C.C. Note: Records show that William Berry is the son of Henry Berry of Old Rappahannock County and married Margaret Doughty, daughter of Enoch Doughty (1639-1677) who was the son of Rev. Francis Doughty and wife Bridgett. Enoch was apparently born shortly after his parents arrived from England to Massachusetts. Capt. Joseph Berry (1691-1749); wife - Catherine Submitted by Mrs. O. L. McHolland --------- Will of John Jones was found at King George County, Virginia courthouse on March 30,2000. The following was copied as close as possible from a photo copy of the original will found in will book 1, pages 10 and 11 by Peggy Miller. pmiller@olg.com Page 10-11 In the Name of God Amen I JOHN JONES of Brunswick Parish in the County of King George being sick in body but of sound mind and memory thanks be to God I do make this my last will and Testament in manner following. Impromis I recommend my soul to almighty god trusting in the merits and mediation of by blessed Savior to Receive Pardon and Remission of all my sins and my body to the Earth to have decent and Christian burial and my worldly lands & goods I give bequeath and dispose of as followeth my will is that all my just debts be first paid. Item I give and bequeath unto my wife ELIZABETH a Negro boy named Tom to her and her heirs forever also a Feather bed and Furniture two cows and calfs Eleven head of hogs two pewter dishes & half a Dozen of Plates to her and her heirs forever. Item I give unto my wife ELIZABETH one third part of my remaining personal Estate to her and her heirs forever and one third part of my land together with my dwelling house where I now live during her natural life. Item I give unto my son AARON my land from the River to Muddy Creek Run when he shall arrive at the age of Twenty one years to him and his heirs forever. Item I give unto my son AARON after my mothers decease a Negro woman named Judy to him and his heirs forever. Item I give unto my son ABRAHAM the rest of my land from Muddy Creek Run to the back line after he shall arrive to the age of Twenty one years to him and his heirs forever. Item I give unto my son JOHN a Negro boy called Cain. Item I give unto my daughter PATIENCE five pounds current money. Item I order a hogshead of Tobacco of Nine hundred neat now in my house to be sold for cash and Laid out for schooling of my two sons AARON and ABRAHAM. Item my will is that my wife have the benefit of any Rents arising from that Plantation on the River side until my son AARON comes to age toward the maintenance of my younger children. Item I order that the rent of the Plantation whereon James Burch now lives be applied ____ towards the clothing of my sons AARON and ABRAHAM until they come to age. Item I give unto my Daughter ANNE a heifer with Calf. Item I give unto my son GEORGE a heifer with calf. Item my will is that the rest of my Estate except what is already given be Equally divided among all my Children share and share alike. Lastly I constitute and appoint my wife ELIZABETH JONES and my friend Francis Martin Executors of this my last will utterly revoking all other former will or wills by me or hereto fore at any time made and Confirming this to be my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and Seal this 12th day of February 1744. John Jones (seal) Signed and sealed in Presence of us} John Payne (his mark), Francis Martin (his mark), James Somerville At a Court held for King George County on Thursday the 5th Day of March 1752 This last will and Testament of John Jones deceased being presented in Court by Elizabeth Jones and Francis Martin the Executors therein named who made oath thereto and there name being ___ duly proved by the oaths of Francis Martian and John Payne two of the witnesses thereto was admitted to Record and is ___ recorded. Test Robert Armistead Submitted by Peggy Miller Last Will and Testament of Jeremiah Murdock Will Book 1, Pages 18-21 King George County, Virginia Records Page 18 In the Name of God Amen. I Jeremiah Murdock do make this my last will and testament in manner following: Imprimis, my will & desire is that my loving wife Jane Murdock have the use of one third part of my Estate during her life and at her Decease the Negroes with their increase to be Equally divided (having regard to the following provisors) between her two sons, John & Joseph, I likewise give to said my wife my Chairs & Chair horses. Item I give to my daughter Peggy Fauntleroy one Page 19 Hundred pounds & one negro girl named Nan & her Increase now in her Possession. Item I give to my son John five hundred and twenty seven acres of Land lying on Occoquon in Prince William County that I bought of Thomas Stribling. Also my Plantation of two hundred acres of Land lying in Orange County bought of Anthony Head; also a Tract of Land of five hundred acres bought of Capt Maximilian Robinson lying on Aquia run in Stafford County his bond and survey by James How (Hose) acknowledged last Stafford Court and the Land paid for the 16th of last month which said three tracts of Land I give to my said son John & his heirs forever. I also give to my said son John after my debts & Legacies are paid one third part of my Negroes & their Increase together with one third part of my Personal Estate to him and his heirs forever and in case my said son John should dye without Lawfull heirs my will is & I give the before mentioned land & Negroes to return to my son Joseph & his heirs Lawfully begotten forever provided he doth not hereafter marry or cohabit with Mary the daughter of John & Elizabeth Marshall but in case he should act contrary to my Inclinations in & Respect my will is that he be entirely cut off from enjoying or possessing any thing more of my Estate before mentioned than the value of one shilling. Item I give to my son Joseph provided he doth not hereafter marry or cohabit with Mary the daughter of John & Elizabeth Marshall the plantation I now dwell on with all the Lands adjoyning in this neck which I bought of Conway Wormley Kendall Jr. also my lands joyning one Joshua Farguson & the Bristol furnace which I bought of Conway after my wifes decease to him and his heirs forever also three hundred sixty-two acres of land lying on Rappahannock River in Prince William County also my Plantation in Westmoreland County with all the Land adjoyning there & in King George being about six hundred acres bought of Kendall H???* Gaugh Jr. to him & his heirs forever together with one third part of my Negroes after my debts & legacies are paid and their Increase and one third part of my Personall Estate to him & his heirs forever Page 20 But in case he should act contrary to my inclination in marrying & ? will is that he be cut off as before mentioned with one shilling only & in case my son Joseph should dye without lawful heirs my will is and I give the before mentioned land & Negroes to Return to my son John & his heirs lawfully begotten forever and in case both my sons John & Joseph should dye without lawfull heirs my will is and I give the before mentioned lands & Negroes to be possessed & enjoyed by their Sister Peggy Fauntleroy & her heirs forever after the decease of my wife. Item my will is that my Loving wife continue on my now dwelling plantation during her life & that all the land in this neck with my lands bought of Mr. Edward Conway joyning on Joshua Farguson & the Bristol furnace be accounted my now dwelling plantation. Item my will is that my land in Maryland formerly sold to my Cousin Wm Murdock for seventy pound Sterling which money as yet has never been paid upon my said Cousin's paying of said money I then give & bequeath the said Land to him and his heirs forever I desire my Estate may not be appraised. Item: I give to my son Joseph having regard to the before mentioned provisors my Silver spurs & Silver Caudle Cup that are now in the house the Caudle Cup being a piece of antiquity of my grandfathers and given me being the youngest Child to keep in the Family. I am willing to perform the will & heartily desire Particular Care may be taken if Possible to Reserve it in the Family to Succeeding generations. Item I give to Mr. John Scandrett son of Mr. Charles Scandrett merchs. in Bristoll as an acknowledgement of the many favours rec.d from that family one hundred and fifty pounds Sterling. Item I give to Miss Sarah Scandrett the daughter of Mr. John Scandrett formerly merch.s in Bristol as an acknowledgement of the many favours Rec'd from that family seventy five pounds Sterling. Item: my will is that my Executors Convert my Debts into Cash as soon as they Conveniently Can & that they purchase lands & Negroes with it. The same said Lands and Page 21 Negroes I desire may be Equally divided between my said sons John & Joseph (having regard to the before mentioned provisors.) & their heirs Lawfully begotten forever I also desire that what Cash I may have by me at my decease be laid out in land and Negroes with it. The cash arising from my debts to be also divided between my said sons John & Joseph reserving to my said wife one third part of the Lands & Negroes so purchased during her life & after her decease to be Equally divided as aforesaid. Lastly, I do constitute & appoint my Loving wife & my friend Mr. Tho.s Turner my Executrix & Executor of this my said will hereby Revoking all other wills heretofore made in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 12th day of Decemb 1750. Signed Sealed & Delivered to Jereh Murdock (Seal) be my last will & Testament in the Presence of......... Geo. Marshall Stafford Lightb???e_____ Ann Marshall My will & design is that whatever of my personall Estate my son John or Joseph may have in their possession at the time of my death may be Recon'd and accounted apart of their third of my Estate given them by will as before mentioned Jereh Murdock At a Court held for King George County on Thursday the 5th day of October, 1752. This last will and Testament of Jeremiah Murdock Gent. deceased being presented into Court by Jane Murdock the Executrix therein named who made oath thereto as the Law directs and the same being also duly proved by the oaths of all the witnesses thereto is admitted to Record and is hereby Recorded Test Rob. Armistead C. C. * This could be Howe or Hews, but I cannot be certain. ** This is a superscripted c with a period underneath. Note: In transcribing a will, I have opted not to use the abbreviations used in the recorded will either because the abbreviation may not make sense to someone reading my transcription or the abbreviations were superscripted. An example of a superscripted abbreviation would be a letter with either a period or some other letter or symbol beneath the superscript letter, for instance "sd.", the d would be superscript with a period underneath or "Testamt.", the t would be superscript with a period underneath. These two words are "said" and "testament." If I thought the abbreviation would make sense to someone reading my transcription or if I could not translate the abbreviation, then I did the best I could to copy it exactly. Other than translating the abbreviations, I have tried to transcribe the document exactly as recorded. If I could not transcribe it then I placed a (?) to so indicate. Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by A. Murdock smalldab@bellsouth.net *********************************************************************** Last Will and Testament of George Tankersley Will Book 1, Page 93 King George County, Virginia Records In the name of God Amen. I George Tankersley of the Parish of Hanover & County of King George being sick & weak of body but of perfect sense & memory do make and ordain this to be my Last Will & Testament in manner following................................................... Imprimis I give & devise all my Estate of what sort so ever to be equally divided amongst my children, viz: Dorcas, Rueben, George, Mary, Sarah, Richard & John. But if any of my said children should die then it is my will & desire that their parts should be divided among my children that shall then survive. Item Igive my beloved wife Mary Tankersley one third part of all my Negroes & Personal Estate. Item. It is my will that after the decease of my wife that the said Negroes be equally [(divided) this word is missing in the will] among my children that shall be then Living. Item. I give my chair & Horses to my Wife.............. Item. It is my Will & desire that after my Estate is apraised[sic] that it may not be sold but equally divided among my children by my Executors. Lastly. I constitute & apoint [sic] William Fox, Reuben Tankersley, George Tankersley & my beloved wife, Mary Tankersley Executors & Executrix of this my Last Will & Testament revoking all other wills by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed my seal this first day of July one Thousand Seven Hundred & fifty Eight. Signed Sealed & published in the { George Tankersley (Seal) presence of { Robt. (his mark) Johnston { Lewis (his mark) Jones { At a Court held for King George County { the 7th day of September 1758. { The within last Will & Testament of George Tankersley deceased was presented into Court by Mary Tankersley Executrix & William Fox one of the Executors therein named who made oath thereto according to Law & the same was proved by the Oaths of the witnesses thereto subscribed & ordered to be recorded & is hereby recorded. Test. Rob. Armistead Cl (?)[?= Court] Note: In transcribing a will, I have opted not to use the abbreviations used in the recorded will either because the abbreviation may not make sense to someone reading my transcription or the abbreviations were superscripted. An example of a superscripted abbreviation would be a letter with either a period or some other letter or symbol beneath the superscript letter, for instance "sd.", the d would be superscript with a period underneath or "Testamt.", the t would be superscript with a period underneath. These two words are "said" and "testament." If I thought the abbreviation would make sense to someone reading my transcription or if I could not translate the abbreviation, then I did the best I could to copy it exactly. Other than translating the abbreviations, I have tried to transcribe the document exactly as recorded. If I could not transcribe it then I placed a (?) to so indicate. Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by A. Murdock smalldab@bellsouth.net Last Will and Testament of Thomas Reading (PLEASE NOTE: The executrix named in this will is the wife of the testator and her name is Catherine RIDING.) Will Book 1, Page 236-237 King George County, Virginia Records Page 236 In the Name of God Amen I Thomas Reading of the County of King George, being Sick & infirm in Body but of perfect Sence & Memory thanks be to God Almighty for it do in the presence of Witnesses hereunder Named, Make & Ordain this to be my Last Will & Testament........................ First I Bequeath my Soul to Almighty God who gave it me, hoping he will of his great Mercy Vouchsafe to Receive it. Secondly for my Body to be decently interred at the Discretion of my Executrix & with regard to my Worldly goods Land or Chattels, Either Real or personal. I do give & bequeath them in the Manner & form following Viz...................... Item I give & bequeath to Mr. Dehar Thompson all my Right & title to a Tract of Land Containing 460 Acres Lying at Chesters Gap, in Culpepper County, in Order to be Sold by him, or his Assigns, & the price thereof to be applyd. to Discharge my Just Debts & if after the Same is Done there Shall remain any Overplus the Same to be paid to My Executrix to enable her to Raise & Mentain My Children begotten & Born of her My Beloved Wife, & if the said price of Said Land Shall not be found Sufficient to discharge my Just Debts, That then the Sum or Sums which Shall appear Due Shall be Made good by my Said Executrix out of the Remaining part of my personal Estate.......... Lastly. after all my Just Debts are so discharged I do give & bequeath to my Said Executrix & beloved Wife to have, hold & peaceably possess, all & every individual part & Page 237 Parcel of my said Estate both Real & Personal, to have & to hold the Said Goods & Chattels for the use aforesaid forever. Moreover I do hereby disannul & make Void all & every former Will or Wills, Legacies Grants or gifts at any other time by me Spoken or Made, but Confess & Aknowledge this to be my Last Will & Testament as Witness my hand & Seal this 21st day of July 1766..................... Signed Sealed } & Delivered in presence of } Thomas (his X mark) Reading (Seal) John Sharpe Junr } John McLeod } At a Court held for King George County the 4th William (his X mark) Lyon} day of September 1766 The Last Will and Testament of Thomas Reading deceased was presented into Court by Catharine Riding Executrix therein named who made Oath thereto according to Law and being further proved by the oaths of John Sharpe Jr and John McLod witnesses thereto is admitted to record Note: In transcribing a will, I have opted not to use the abbreviations used in the recorded will either because the abbreviation may not make sense to someone reading my transcription or the abbreviations were superscripted. An example of a superscripted abbreviation would be a letter with either a period or some other letter or symbol beneath the superscript letter, for instance "sd.", the d would be superscript with a period underneath or "Testamt.", the t would be superscript with a period underneath. These two words are "said" and "testament." If I thought the abbreviation would make sense to someone reading my transcription or if I could not translate the abbreviation, then I did the best I could to copy it exactly. Other than translating the abbreviations, I have tried to transcribe the document exactly as recorded. If I could not transcribe it then I placed a (?) to so indicate. Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by A. Murdock smalldab@bellsouth.net Last Will and Testament of Joseph Murdock Will Book 1, Pages 291 and 292 King George County, Virginia Records Page 291 In the Name of God amen. I Joseph Murdock of King George County being sick and weak of body, but of sound mind and memory, do make my last Will and Testament in manner following vizs. In the first place I desire that all my estate real and personal be kept together untill my youngest child now born shall arrive to the age of one and twenty years, and the profits applied towards the maintenance and education of my children John, William, Sally, Nelly and Jeanny. In the next place the tract of land whereon I live, I give and devise to my son John and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, and if he should die without such heirs, I give it to my son William and the heirs of his body. In the third place the tract of land I bought of John Jett with the Mill thereon, I give and devise to my son William and the heirs of his body, and in case he should die without such heirs, I give the same to my son John and in case both my said sons should die without lawfull issue I desire and impower my Executors to sell and dispose of my said two tracts of land, and to divide the money arising from such sale among my daughters, Sally, Nelly and Jeanny, when Jeanny, or the youngest survivor of them shall arrive to the age of one and twenty years. ... the residue of my estate, I desire may be equally divided Page 292 among my children, John, William, Sally, Nelly and Jeanny, or the survivors of them, when the youngest survivor shall come of age as aforesaid. To my loving wife I give one third part of my Estate both Real and Personal, whom with Capt. Edward Dixon, John Skinker and George Tankersley Gent I appoint my Executors and Guardians to my children. In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my Hand and Seal the Eleventh Day of October 1769. J. Murdock (Seal) Sealed & Declared as the last Will and Testament of the said Joseph Murdock, in our presence; who also subscribed it in his Thos Lendrum William Chapman George H. Fauntleroy Wm Hood At a court held for King George County the 1st day of March 1770. The Last Will and Testament of Joseph Murdock dec'ed was presented into Court by Edward Dixon and George Tankersley two of the Executors therein named, who made oath thereto according to Law, and the same being proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto subscribed is admitted to Record and on the motion of the said Ex.rs they performing what the law in such cases require, Certificate is granted them for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form. Please note that Joseph's wife was Mary Tankersley. Jean and Jane are used interchangeably. Sally is short for Sarah and Nelly is short for Eleanor. I believe there is also a posthumous child, Joanna. Note 2: In transcribing a will, I have opted not to use the abbreviations used in the recorded will either because the abbreviation may not make sense to someone reading my transcription or the abbreviations were superscripted. An example of a superscripted abbreviation would be a letter with either a period or some other letter or symbol beneath the superscript letter, for instance "sd.", the d would be superscript with a period underneath or "Testamt.", the t would be superscript with a period underneath. These two words are "said" and "testament." If I thought the abbreviation would make sense to someone reading my transcription or if I could not translate the abbreviation, then I did the best I could to copy it exactly. Other than translating the abbreviations, I have tried to transcribe the document exactly as recorded. If I could not transcribe it then I placed a (?) to so indicate. Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by A. Murdock smalldab@bellsouth.net Last Will and Testament of Jean/Jane Murdock Will Book 1, Page 293, King George County, Virginia Records In the Name of God amen. I Jean Murdock of King George County widow, being sick and weak, but of sound mind and memory, do make my last Will and Testament in manner following to wit All my Estate of what kind so ever, I give and bequeath to my Grandchildren William and Jean Chapman to be equally divided between them and I constitute the said William Chapman Executor of this my last will. In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my Hand and Seal this twenty-third Day of January A.D. 1770 Jane Murdock Sealed, Published & Declared as the last Will and Testament of the above named Jean Murdock in the presence of us, who also subscrib'd it in her presence Ann Marshall Thos Lendrum At a Court held for King George County the 1st Day of March 1770 . The Last Will and Testament of Jean Murdock deced was presented into Court by William Chapman the Executor therein named who mad oath thereto according to Law, and the same being proved by the Oath of Thomas Lendrum, one of the witnesses thereto subscribed is admitted to Record, and on the motion of the said Excr he performing what the law in such cases require, Certificate is granted him for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form. Note: In transcribing a will, I have opted not to use the abbreviations used in the recorded will either because the abbreviation may not make sense to someone reading my transcription or the abbreviations were superscripted. An example of a superscripted abbreviation would be a letter with either a period or some other letter or symbol beneath the superscript letter, for instance "sd.", the d would be superscript with a period underneath or "Testamt.", the t would be superscript with a period underneath. These two words are "said" and "testament." If I thought the abbreviation would make sense to someone reading my transcription or if I could not translate the abbreviation, then I did the best I could to copy it exactly. Other than translating the abbreviations, I have tried to transcribe the document exactly as recorded. If I could not transcribe it then I placed a (?) to so indicate. Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by A. Murdock smalldab@bellsouth.net