MECKLENBERG COUNTY, VA - WILLS - Joseph Watkins, 9 May 1835 ----¤¤¤---- Contributor's Note: For those portions that were unable to be read by me at the time and the small uncopied section that appears nears the end of this document, I have employed the use of "..?." to indicate same. The spellings used in the will are those I have transcribed into the document. Transcribed from Mecklenburg County Clerk's Will Book - Book 15, page 151 In the name of God amen, I Joseph Watkins of Mecklenburg County Virginia being of sound and disposing mind, I do make and .?.. this my last will and testament. Principally, I give my soul to almighty god and desire that my body may receive a Christian burial under the direction of my family and touching .?. the worldly goods with which it has pleased god to bless me. I give in the manner following .?. Firstly, I leave to my beloved wife Sally one third part of the tract of land which I now live upon also the following slaves? the quarter increase of the families to wit Aggy, Daniel, Osmond, Charlie, Dick, John also one half of my stock of all kinds during her natural life and are of my household and kitchen furniture at her death the same except the land to be equally divided among all my children. Secondly, I give to my son in law, Archibald Loftis, one dollar to be paid him out of my money which I may leave not specially divided Thirdly, I leave to my daughter Polly Loftis one seventh part of all my personal and perishable property and one third part of the land I now reside not specially divided and at her death I give the same to the lawful heirs of her body and it is further my will and desire that the same shall not be under the control and .?. of her husband Archibald Loftis. Also I give to Polly Loftis a small negro girl which I put in possession of by the name of Peggey the same to be counted for at the sum of one hundred dollars as her seventh part of my property. Fourthly, I give to my daughter Martha Jackson one seventh part of all my personal and perishable property and one third part of the land. I now reside not specially divided. Fifthly, I give to Elizabeth Watkins the lawful heir of my deceased son John Watkins, the sum of one dollar to be paid out of any money not divided specifically. Sixthly, I give to my son James Watkins his seventh part of all my property not specifically divided. Seventhly, I give to my daughter Nancy Smith one seventh part of all my property not specifically divided also I leave to her the tract of land on which she and her husband Daniel W. Smith at present reside during her natural life and at her death I desire that same to be equally divided between all the lawful heirs of her body. Eighth, I give to my son Samuel Watkins one seventh part of all my property not specifically divided. Ninthly, I give to my son William Watkins one seventh part of all my personal and perishable property and one third part of the land I now reside not specifically divided but once but in case of dieing without .?. a lawful heir I wish the same to be equally divided among my other children. Tenthly, I give to my daughter Sally Tincer one seventh part of all my property not specifically divided and also I give her a negro girl which I put in possession of by the name of Pless(?) And the same to be counted at the sum of one hundred dollars in her seventh part of all my property. Eleventhly, The property one seventh of which is .?. to each of my children consisting of the following slaves and the further increases of the .?. Lucy, Big Bob & Little Bob. .?. wife his .?. infant child of Lucy and one half of all of my stock of .?. Lastly, .?. and divide the .?. my tract of land .?........?....... Tract which is adjoining William Gates land and this be sold after my death and the proceeds thereof I bequeath as follows one hundred dollars to my daughter Martha Jackson, and one hundred Dollars to my daughter Nancy Smith and remainder to be equally divided among my seven children. Thirteenthly, my lands which have divided and heir .?. of to my son James T. Samuel Watkins and my daughter Salley Tincer for which have made the deeds. I do hereby confirm to them. Lastly, I hereby appoint Robert Westin and Benjamin J. Hinton my executors to this my last Will and Testament in witnessth hereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 9th day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty five. Joseph Watkins ( Seal ) Witnesses. E. A. Holloway Wm. Jeter Wm Z. Haskins At a Court .?. for Mecklenburg County at the Courthouse thereof on the 16th day of December 1837.. The foregoing last Will and Testament of Joseph Watkins dec'd was produced in Court and proved according to law by the oath of E. A. Holloway and Wm. Jeter two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded ..............and on motion of Samuel Watkins who made oath thereto and together with James Watkins and Jonathan Tincer His .?.. Entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $2500. Conditioned according to law. Certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of adm on the testate of the said Joseph Watkins also with this will aforesaid annexed in .?.. Teste Richard R. ?aphel, Clerk ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: D. Gayle Loftis DGLoftis@aol.com ___________________________________________________________________