John Jeffries Will 1788/1792 Mecklenburg Co., VA Submitted by Kathy Awbrey wawbrey@email.msn.com 10-10-00 ****************************************************************** 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. ******************************************************************* JOHN JEFFRIES WILL In the name of God, Amen. I John Jeffries of the County of Mecklenburg being aged and infirm, but of perfect mind and memory. Thanks be to God. Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say, principally and first I commend my soul into the hand of Almighty God who gave it and my body to be committed to the earth and buried decently at the discretion of my executors. Nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as to ----- such worldly estate which it has please Go to bless me with after my funeral expenses and my just debts be fully satisfied and paid, I give as followeth. Viz: ----- by will and desire that my beloved wife continue her life with my son Richard Jeffries as long as she lives and in case of his death or any other unforeseen accident that she should lack or have as maintain and my will and desire is that them my three sons her after mentioned have a proportionable part in maintaining her out of their respective parts here after given them. I also give unto my wife the following Negroes (to wit) Jack, Moll, and Frank together with one bed and furniture and one horse called Logan with a saddle during her natural life. Item: I give and bequeath to my son Swepson Jeffries the following Negroes: viz. Waggoner, Cloe, George, Annica, Dick, Jane, and Marie. Item: I give to my son Achilles the following Negroes: Viz. Tom, Harry, Judy, --- , Isaac, Letty, and Sarah with her future increase. Item: I give and bequeath to my son Richard Jeffries the tract of land whereon I now live containing six hundred and thirty acres to be the same more or less to him and his heirs. I also give unto my son Richard the following Negroes: viz. Charles, York?, Same, Dashey, and Frank at my wife's death. My will and desire is that at the death of my wife, Jock, Moll, and Frank. Increase bay be equally divided between my three sons, Swepson, Achilles, and Richard Jeffries. Item: I also give to my son Richard all my household and kitchen furniture together with sixteen head of cattle, sixteen head of sheep, one dark bay horse, and all my stock of hogs provided he pays to my grandson Thomas Jeffries Forty shillings and to my granddaughter Jane Jeffries Forty Shillings and one bed and furniture and that he pay the balance due my grandson from me as guardian for which I give him my young sorrel mare and colt. Item: My will and desire is that the residue of my horses, cattle and sheep not before mentioned to be divided between my two sons Swepson and Achilles. Also that the Negroes may be kept together this year to made a crop and that be applied to the purpose of paying my debts --- --- --- to the moneys due me which is to be collected and apply'd to that purpose and when complied with, the balance to be divided between my wife and three sons, Swepson, Achilles, and Richard Jeffries in proportion to their hands. Lastly I do constitute and appoint my loving wife and my beloved sons Swepson, Achilles and Richard Jeffries executors to this my last will and testament revoking and disannulling all former wills by me or for me made, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 10 day of January 1788. John Jeffries In presence of: William -- Baptist William --------------his mark Robert Smith Andrew Gregory At a court held for Mecklenburg County VA 13th of Feb 1792: This was proved by the oaths of Robert Smith and Andrew Gregory witness. Thereto and ordered to be recorded on the motion of Richard Jeffries one of the executors therein named who made oaths thereto and together with Thomas Burnett, Richard Winn, Thomas Norment and Thompson Fowlkes his securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of two thousand pounds conditioned as the ------ direct certificate was granted him for obtaining ----- ----- thereof in due form liberty being reserved for the other executors therein named to join in the probate when they shall think fit. teste John Brown