WILL: Will of Robert Mays (son of Joseph and Sarah Mays) SOURCE: Nelson Co., Virginia Will book J, page 277 CONTRIBUTOR: Valerie Burd -------------------------------------------------------------- I Robert Mays Sr. of the County of Nelson and State of Virginia make this my last will and testament, revoking all others heretofore made, in manner and form following, that is, my will and desire is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid. I give to my son Willis (N.?) Mays one cow and calf. I have heretofore given him a negro girl named Nancy, one horse, one saddle and bridle. I give to my son Frederick Mays one negro woman named Mary and her future increase and one negro girl named Nancy and her future increase to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son Jesse Mays one negro man named Abraham and two negro girls Emily and Milley and their future increase to him and his forever. I give to my son Robert Mays one negro man named Bartlett to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son William Mays one negro boy named Arthur to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son Jefferson Mays one negro woman named Charlotte and her future increase and one negro boy named Henry to him and his heirs forever. I give to my Alexander Mays one negro boy named James and one negro girl named Margaret and her future increase to him and his heirs forever. I give to my daughter Sally Spencer the wife of James Spencer one cow and calf. I have heretofore given her a negro girl named Eliza and one feather bed and furniture. I give to my son at law Samuel Spencer one dollar. I have heretofore given to my daughter Paulina Spencer who is now deceased a negro woman named Patience. I give to four of my sons (this is) Jesse Mays, William Mays, Jefferson Mays, Alexander Mays and my daughter Lucy Mays my tract of land on which I now reside, containing by survey three hundred and seventy acres be the same more or less to be equally divided between the four named sons and my daughter Lucy, the one fifth part of each, to them and their heirs forever. And it is my will that my daughter Sally Spencer shall have a lot of sixty acres at the corner adjoining to Dillards old mill on Naked Creek for and during her natural life and at her death to be the property of the four sons and daughter, this is, Jesse Mays, William Mays, Jefferson, Alexander Mays and Lucy Mays as spoken of above. I give to four of my children, that is Jesse Mays, Jefferson Mays, Alexander Mays and Lucy Mays all my household and kitchen furniture of every description to be equally divided between them to them and their heirs forever. My will and desire is that the balance of my cattle not disposed of heretofore and all my horses, hogs and sheep be sold and after paying my debts, the balance to be equally divided between my son Jesse Mays and my daughter Lucy Mays. My will and desire is that my old negro woman named Fanney shall have the liberty of living with any of my children that she may choose. I constitute and appoint my friends George Vaughan and James M Dillard my executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 27th day of June 1848. Robert Mays Sr. In the presence of Robert K Hargood Albert Bibb George Cox At a court held for Nelson County the 25th day of July 1853 This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Robert Mays deceased was produced in said Court and proved by the oaths of Albert Bibb and George Cox, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and George Vaughan and James M Dillard the executors therein named being in Court and refusing to take upon themselves the burden of the execution thereof, on the motion of Jefferson Mays who made oath according to law and together with Jesse Mays, Alexander Mays and James M Dillard his securities entered into and acknowledgted their bond in the penalty of nine thousand dollars conditioned according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration with the will annexed on the estate in due form of law. Teste Thomas J Massie, clk ****************************************************************** 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. ******************************************************************