Mecklenburg County, VA; Will Book 5 (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 58 Mecklenburg Co., VA Will and estate records of James Pennington Submitted on 7/20/1999 by Kevin T. Lett Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #5, page 58: "In the name of God amen I James Pennington of the County of Mecklenburg being lame in body but sound memory but calling to mind the uncertainty of human life do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner to wit. Item I give and bequeath to my son James one Negro man named Daniel to him and his heirs forever. My desire is that the said Negro be hired out ten years if not called for sooner and the money and Negro devised therefrom to my son James and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my son Phillip one Negro woman Peg and everything I have lent to him to him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah one Negro man named Austin and one mare called Pall and one bed and furniture. My desire is if my daughter dies without lawful issue of her body that the said Negro Austin and mare shall belong to my son John Thomas and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Faitha Nance one Negro woman Judy to my daughter Faitha Nance and her lawful issue of her body and at her decease if no issue then living then the said Negro to be divided among all my children also one cow and calf, one bed and furniture now in her possession. Item I give and bequeath to my son Henry two Negroes named Edmund and Dilsey and what I have lent him before to him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary one Negro man named David one bed and furniture and one woman's saddle also the third choice of my horses. If she dies without lawful issue of her body the said Negro to be divided amongst my children, except son John Thomas. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Lewcy Smith one Negro man named Ben, one bed and furniture, one woman's saddle and one cow and calf as she has now in possession to her and her heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Pegga Pennington one Negro girl named Viney and one bed and furniture and if she my granddaughter Pegga should die without lawful issue the legacy left her shall belong to my son Phillip and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my son John Thomas six Negroes namely Jacob, Nancy, Antony, Moses and Aron and George, three beds and furniture my cart and wheels and one yoke of oxen, one mare and colt that's called now his to him and his heirs forever. My will and desire is that John Hall Junior may keep sixty five acres of land as he bought of me lying on the south side of Mitchell's Branch which is one line and my old patent line the other line and the balance of my land I give to my son John Thomas to him and to his heirs forever; also my plantation utensils and one third of my pewter. The balance of my pewter to be equally divided between my two daughters Sarah and Mary. Also I give my three children John Thomas, Sarah and Mary all kitchen furniture equally divided also I give Sarah one chest and Mary one chest also my chairs to be divided between John Thomas, Sarah and Mary. Also I give my son John Thomas one cow and calf. Also I give Sarah and Mary each of them one cow and calf all the balance of my cattle to be equally divided between my five children John Thomas, Faitha Nance, Lucy Smith, Sarah and Mary. Also my sheep to be divided between Lucy Smith, Sarah and Mary. Also I leave my stock of hogs and my crop to pay all my just debts and the balance to support my three children John Thomas, Sarah and Mary. Also all my fowls to support the plantation. Also my two horses not before willed I give Lewcy Smith choice and John Thomas the other horse with my saddle and gun. Also my wearing apparel to my son Henry. Also my will and desire is that Robert Pennington may keep two beds and furniture as I bought for him as he has them now in possession to him and his heirs forever. Also it is my will and desire that my two daughters Sarah and Mary may have the small room of my dwelling house during their natural lives or marriage. Also it is my will that my two daughters Sarah and Mary have free privilege of working their two Negroes on the said plantation during their natural lives or marriage. Lastly I appoint my son Phillip and my son John Thomas executors of this my last will and testament revoking and disannuling all former wills by me made. In witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-seventh day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and two. James Pennington. Signed, sealed and declared in presence of us: John Northington, William Ladd Taylor, Samuel Butter, Sterling Northington. At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 18th day of June 1803. This will was proved by the oaths of John Northington and William Ladd Taylor witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of John Thomas Pennington the surviving executor therein named who made oath thereto and together with John Northington and Jabiz Northington his securities entered into and acknowledge their bond in the penalty of ten thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs. Certificate was granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form. Teste. William Baskervill, Cl. Cur." Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #5, page 161: An appraisement and inventory of James' estate was taken on July 27, 1803 by John Hubbard, John Nance, William Bugg and John T. Pennington. Its total value was given at 998 pounds, six shilling and nine pence. It included such items as goats, cows, geese, a gun, four horses, various furniture, various plantation utensils and Negroes named Jacob, Edmund, Austin, Daniel, David, Ben, Anthony, Moses, Aron, Pegg, Dilsey, Viney, Nann and her child. Submitted by Kevin Lett Page 77 Mecklenburg Co., VA Will and estate records of Philip Pennington Submitted on 7/20/199 by Kevin T. Lett Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #5, page 77: "A verbal will of Philip Pennington made the 31st day of January 1803 and departed this life the 1st day of February. The words spoken was thus that his will and desire was that his wife Polley Pennington should have a Negroe woman of the name of Nelly at her disposal to do as she please with and further saith not. This day Varn Andrews and Joseph Lett personally appeared before me and made oath that they were called on by the deceased at the time above mentioned to take notice of those words spoken by him as above mentioned. Sworn to this fourth day of February 1803. Reuben Vaughan. At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 11th day of July 1803. This writing purporting to be the nuncupative will of Philip Pennington, deceased was proved by the oaths of Varn Andrews and Joseph Lett, Jr. witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. The infant children having been duly summoned and being represented by Josiah Floyd their guardian specially appointed for that purpose who saith he has no objection to the establishment of the same. And on the motion of the said Josiah Floyd who made oath thereto and together with John James Speed, John Turner(?), Jr. and James Watson his securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of ten thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs. Certificate was granted him for obtaining letters of administration of the estate of the said Philip Pennington, deceased with his said will annexed in due form. Teste. William Baskerville, Cl. Cur." Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #5, page 162: On May 14, 1804 an inventory and appraisement of the Philip Pennington estate was submitted to the county court by Josiah Daly, John Ogburn and Varnes Andrews. Included in the estate was a large amount of livestock including horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, geese and ducks, various plantation and kitchen utensils, four beds and furniture, a small amount of harvested crops, a parcel of books, a looking glass, a bee hive, a few saddles and many other items including nearly five gallons of brandy. He had also possessed sixteen Negroes named Dick, Rolley, David, Jinney, Beck, Isaac, Fanney, Nelley, Suckey, Milly, Moses, Ned, Spencer, Ben, Nat and Pegg. In total the estate was valued at 1,130 pounds and 3 shillings. Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #5, page 167: On June 11, 1804 the estate sale of the late Philip Pennington was submitted into court. Those who purchased items were recorded as follows: William Smith, George Andrews, Richard Crowder, Joseph Simmons, Warner More, James Reekes, Thomas J. Taylor, John Singleton, James Nolley, Joseph Lett, Mary Pennington, Josiah Floyd, Matthew Ogburn, Thomas Burnett, William Crow, Joseph Dunman, William Allen, Isaac Arnold, John Arnold, James Taylor, William Ship, Aldias Webb, Sterling Hailey, William L. Taylor, John Allen, Thomas Jones, Samuel Oslin, Thomas Marriott, Col. Ingram, Morriss Floyd, William Mitchel, John Crow, Sath Johnson, James Hicks, John Waller, Frederick Walkens, Jerimiah Arnold, Benjamin Edmonson, John Hicks, William Vaughan and James Waller. The total amount of the sale was not given. Submitted by Kevin Lett Page 95 Will of Thomas Booth In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Booth of Mecklenburg County and State of Virginia being sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and Testament in manner and form as following- Imprimis? my desire is that all the perishable part of my estate shall be sold by my Executors in discharge of my Just Debts (except whats hereafter divised) Item-I give and bequeath unto my loving Daughter, Mary M Winkfield the following Negroes she has now possission, to wit, Hannah, Daniel, Henry, Evelina, Jacob, Junney, also two beds and furniture and one Set of China & Silver Tea Spoons which she has now in her possession to her and her heirs forever. Item-I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Rebecca Booth the following Negroes, to wit, one Negro woman by the name of Milly and Girl the name of Mariah, also one by the name of Clary, and one boy by the name of Joshua, also two boys by the name of Heartwell & Woodlief, also two beds and furniture, one set of China and half Dozen Silver Tea Spoons to her and her heirs forever. Item- I give and bequeath to my son, Harper Booth the land & plantation whereon he now lives, also three Negroes, to wit, Jack, Lissie and Tom, one Sorrell mare, four head of Cattle, one bed and furniture which he has now in possession to him and his heirs forever. Item-I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Booth three negroes to wit, Joe, Stephen and Betty, one bed and furniture, four head of Cattle, one dark bay mare which property he has now is possession except Negro Betty to him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter, Judith Booth, six Negroes to wit, Pattey, a woman, also Wilson and Nelson her Children, Edy , Gooding and Billy, two beds and furniture, one Set of China ware, 1/2 dozen Silver tea Spoons to her and her heirs forever. Item- I give and bequeath to my son Reuben Booth three Negroes to wit, Sam, Allen and Nancy black one sorrell horse, also the lands and plantation wheron he now lives to take possession of the land at the death of my beloved wife, Saving and reserving one half of my dwelling House to my three daughters, Rebecca, Judith and Salley Booth until they shall marry, also one bed and furnitur, two Cows &Calves two Sows and pigs, pott & Oven, one set Caininau? Cups & Saucers, one set Knives & forks, one Set Caininau? Table Spoons to him and his heirs forever. Item-I give and bequeath to my daughter, Massey? Jones six Negroes to wit, Amy, Cressy, Bob, Jinsey, Emmanuel, Metilda, two beds and furniture, yoke of Steers, one Set China ware, half dozen Silver Tea Spoons which she has now in possession to her and her heirs forever. Item- I give and bequeath unto my daughter Salley Booth six Negroes, to wit, Celar, Jane, Ned, Edmund, Peterson, and Amy, two beds and furniture, one Set China ware, half dozen Silver tea Spoons to her and her hiers forever. Item- I lend to my beloved wife the land & plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and all the rest of my estate both real and personal not before devised, and at her death, my desire is that my two granddaughters, Betsy W Harper and Judith Gilliam Harper shall divide equally with my legatees of all the Negroes and other perishable estate above lent. I do Constitute and appoint my son Reuben Booth and Harper Booth and Charles Cordle my lawfull Executors to this my last will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have heretofor set my hand and affixed my seal this twelveth day of April one thousand eight hundred and three. Thomas Booth Senr (LS) Signed, sealed in the presence of Martha Jones Malone Isaac Williams Thomas C Singleton At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 12th day of September 1803 This will was proved by the Oaths of Isaac Williams and Thomas C Singleton, Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and On the motion of Reuben Booth one of the executors therein named who made oath there and together with Joshua Winckfield, Thomas C Singleton and William Darnwright his securities entered into and acknowledged their hand in the penalty of fifty thousand dollars Conditioned as the law directs. Certificate was granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form-liberty being reserved for the other executors therein named to join in the probate when they shall think fit. Teste William Baskerville CC Submitted by Gayle Austin Page 165 Will of Mary Pennington - widow and second wife of Philip Pennington Submitted on 7/20/1999 by Kevin T. Lett Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #5, page 165: "In the name of God amen I Mary Pennington of the county of Mecklenburg and state of Virginia being in a low state of health but of sound mind and memory and calling to mind he mortality of my body do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz. Item I give and bequeath unto John White one feather bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever. Item it is my will and desire and do hereby order and direct under an act of the general assembly of Virginia and provided for the free emancipation of Negroes by will that Nelly and her child Spencer with all her future increase is hereby by me declared free citizens of the United States of America from the claim of myself, my heirs, executors or administrators or from the claim of all and every person or persons whatsoever. Lastly I constitute, appoint and ordain my friend Charles Ogburn my whole and state executor to this my last will and testament authorizing my said executor to take into his hands all the estate I have or may be entitled to and the money arising from such estate in his hands to keep to pay and discharge the incident attending the recording this will and complying with the law made and providing for freeing Negroes by will in case my estate dothe not raise money sufficient in that case it is my will and desire that my said executors shall hire out my said Negro Nelly and her child Spencer until they raise money sufficient to pay the same into its full effect. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 16th of October 1803. Mary Pennington. Signed, sealed and declared this my last will and testament in presence of Thomas Burnett, Varney Andrews, George Andrews. At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 11th day of June 1804. This will was proved by the oaths of Varney Andrews and George Andrews witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Charles Ogburn the executor therein named who made oath thereunto and together with Varney Andrews his security entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of two thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs. Certificate was granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form. Teste. William Baskervill, Cl. Cur." Submitted by Kevin Lett