Lunenburg County, VA Wills

Will of Francis SMITHSON:

"In the name of God, Amen, I Francis Smithson of Lunenburg County being
all this time in perfect health and memory, yet consider the uncertainty
of life have thought fit to make and appoint this to bee (sic) my last
will and testament in manner and form as followeth - Item, I give my
soul unto the hands of God that gave it and my body I give unto the
earth to be buryed (sic) at the discreason (sic) of my executors which
will be hereafter mentioned, Item I give unto my son Micajah Smithson
and to his heirs and assigns one negro man named James which he has
already received.  Item I have a certain negro man named Nedd which I
have long intended to give my son John Smithson and to his heirs but it
hath so happened that my son John is now deceased before he had a lawful
right to the above named Nedd and my son John's dieing (sic) without a
will his six youngest children are likely to be the sufferers I do
therefore will and appoint the said Nedd to be disposed of in the
following manner.  In the first place I do appoint the produce of the
said Nedds labor to be applied to the support and maintenance of the six
children whose names are Clement, Charles, Nathaniel, Sally Wade, John
and Silvanus until the said Silvanus arrives at the age of fourteen and
I do order the said Nedd to be sold and the money divided among the six
children...son William a slave...son Manoah a slave...son Francis the
200 acres I live on, a slave, and 20 pounds current money...daughter
Elizabeth Edwards, two slaves...daughter Mille Hobson, two slaves...I
give to each of my children a feather bed and furniture, a ridein Beaste
and saddle and five head of neat cattle.  I choose to mention it here in
General without being at the Trouble to mention it each one in
Pertickaler (sic) which said effects I do hereby allow to the their
lawful property  against any person claim.  Item, I lend to my wife
during her natural life four Negroes whose names are Tom and Jenne his
wife Chloe and Harry her brother  I likewise lend to my Wife during her
natural life two feather beds and furniture two ridein (sic) beastes
(sic) and her side Saddle likewise eight head of Soreteable  Neate
Cattle six head of sorteable sheep ten head of sorteable Hogs one Iron
pott and frying pan and other Trifelin (sic) necessaries suitable to a
woman of her years to keep house with my wife living with my son Francis
and tending part of the plantation for her own private use...26 day of
June 1783."                                            Fr. Smithson
(seal)
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Mildred Wright Fournier
fournier@hankins.com

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