Mecklenburg Co., VA will of James Lett

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Mecklenburg Co., VA Will and estate records of James Lett 
Submitted on 7/25/1999 by Kevin T. Lett - ktlett@juno.com

Meclenburg County, Virginia Will Book #5, page 57:
"In the name of God Amen December 28th, 1802 I James Lett of 
Mecklenburg
County being sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory 
thanks
be given unto almighty God for the same do make and ordain this my 
last
will and testament in manner and form following (Viz.)  Item I give unto
my beloved wife Lucy Lett one feather bed and furniture the one we lay
on.  Item I give unto my son James Lett one feather bed and furniture 
to
be his and his heirs forever.  Item I give unto my son Matthew Hubbard
Lett one feather bed and furniture when he comes of age to be to him 
and
his heirs forever.  Item I give unto my daughter Sally Lett one feather
bed and furniture when she comes of age to be to her and her heirs
forever.  Item I give unto my son Ambros Lett one feather bed and
furniture when he comes of age to be to him and his heirs forever.  
Item
I give to my daughter Lucy Lett one feather bed and furniture when she
comes of age to be to her and her heirs forever.  My will and desire is
that my land shall be sold by my executors to pay all my just debts and
then the rest of the money to be applied to the buying of land for the
support of my wife and children James Lett, Matthew Hubbard Lett, 
Sally
Lett, Ambros Lett and Lucy Lett.  I desire that my wife should have the
said land during her widowhood and at her death or marriage the said 
land
to be sold and the money equally divided among my children before
mentioned.  I lend unto my beloved wife three Negroes (to wit.) Bette,
Silva and Fed during her life or widowhood they and their increase to 
be
sold and equally divided between my children last mentioned yet my 
desire
is also that one yoke of steers and eleven heads of sheep should be 
sold
for the support of my family.  Item I give unto my granddaughter Mason
twenty shillings.  Item I give unto my son John Lett ten dollars.  Item I
give unto my son Robert Lett ten dollars.  I also desire that all my
stock of every kind horses, cattle, hoggs, all my household kitchen
furniture and plantation utensils too tedious to mention to be sold and
the money arising from the sale to [be] equally divided between my five
children first mentioned at the death or marriage of my beloved wife.  
In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the 
date
and year first above written.  James Lett.  Signed sealed and
acknowledged in presence of William Hutchison, Ambros Hutchison, 
Jordan
Hightower.  I also desire that John Hubbard, James Lett, Lucy Lett to 
be
my executors.

At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 13th day of June 1803.  
This
will was proved by the oaths of William Hutchison, Ambros Hutchison 
and
Jordan Hightower witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And 
on the
motion of John Hubbard one of the executors therein named who made 
oath
thereto and together with Henry Pennington his securities entered into
and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of five thousand dollars
conditioned as the law directs.  Certificate was granted him for
obtaining a probate of the said will in due form liberty being reserved
for the other executor and the executrix therein named to join in the
probate when they shall think fit.  Teste, William Baskervill Cl Cur."

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #6, page 158:
On October 28, 1803 the estate inventory and appraisal of James Lett 
was
returned to the court by William Hutchison, Jordan Hightower and 
Mathew
Jackson.  It included many household and plantation utensils such as a
coffee pot and steel plated handsaw, several types of livestock 
including
geese, hogs, oxen, sheep, cattle and two horses as well as a man and
woman's saddle, a looking glass, a parcel of books, silver worth 75
pounds, two slates, Negroes named Betty and Fed and several other 
items. 
A total was not given but his estate was roughly valued at 273 pounds.