Miscellaneous Wills of Will Book 1, Petersburg, VA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Russell L. Lawrence - ruslaw@bellatlantic.net Will of Archibald Buchanan (Will Book 1, page 67, Petersburg,VA.) IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I, Archibald Buchanan being in perfect Health,Bequeath unto my Brother Neill Buchanan all my Estate real & personal, likewise whatever my father may leave me at his Death. Dated this Seventeenth day of Decm'r. in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy two. Arch'd. Buchanan (Seal) At a Court of Hustings held for the town of Petersburg at the house of William Durell in the said town Wednesday the second Day of August 1786 - The Last Will and Testament of Archibald Buchanan deceased was produced in Court by Neill Buchanan and there being no witnesses to the said will Thomas Gordon Samuel Donaldson & Thomas Hope being sworn severally deposed that they are well aquainted with the testators hand writing and very believe that said will and the name thereto subscribed are all of the said testators proper handwriting Whereupon the said Will is ordered to be recorded. Teste I.Grammer Clk.C.H. Will of Ralph Falkner (Will Book 1, page 76, Petersburg,VA.) IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I Ralph Falkner being perfectly sane of mind do make constitute appoint and ordain this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills whatsoever and wheresoever made. First then I do appoint Robert Bolling Richard Gregory together with my wife Margaret Falkner all at present of the Borough of Petersburg to be my Executors. Secondly I give will and bequeath to my Dearly and well beloved wife Margaret aforesaid all my Goods, Lands Chattels Money and household furniture wheresoever belonging to me to be enjoyed by her for the term of her natural life and lastly to be disposed of by her as she shall think meet. This my Last Will and Testament was written with my own hand the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Seven In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal the same day and year above mentioned. Ralph Falkner (Seal) Test. Tho's. Nutton Samuel Davies Silas Sandford At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg Wednesday the Fourth Day of April 1787 - The Last Will and Testament of Ralph Falkner dec'd. was proved by the oaths of Samuel Davies and Silas Sandford two of the witnesses there to and is ordered to be Recorded. And on the motion of Margaret Falkner one of the Executors therein named who made oath thereto and together with Robert Macky her security entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of Five Thousand Pounds as the law directs certificate is granted her for obtaining probat in due form - liberty being reserved for the other executor in the said will named to join in the probat where they shall think fit. Attest I.Grammer Clk.H.C. Appraisal of Robert Grammer Estate (Will Book 1, page 95, Petersburg,VA.) Town of Petersburg April Hustings Court 1788. Agreeable to an order of the Hustings Court of the Town of Petersburg bearing date the 2nd Day of January 1788. We the subscribers being first duly sworn for that purpose have appraised in current money the Estate of Robert Grammer dec'd. shown us as follows viz: 1 Negro Man Caesar--------------------------------------------L60.00 1 Negro Woman "Moll" & a boy "Ned" her son----------70.00 ======== L130.00 Appraisers: Daniel Dodson Wm.Barksdale Sam'l Davies I.Grammer Adm'r. At a hustings Court held for the town of Petersburg at the house of John Hare in the said Town, Wednesday the 2nd Day of April 1788 - An Inventory and appraisment of the Estate of Robert Grammer dec'd. Amounting to One Hundred and Thirty Pounds Current Money was returned signed by Daniel Dodson, William Barksdale and Samuel Davies appraisers appointed for that purpose and is ordered to be Recorded. Atteste I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Thomas Matthews (Will Book 1, page 107, Petersburg,VA.) Town Of Petersburg, November Court 1788 Petersburg October 18th 1788 In The Name of God Amen. I, Thomas Matthews of the town of Petersburg and County of Prince George Being week (sic) in Body but of sound mind and memory thanks be to God for the same,and calling to mind the mortality of man that it is appointed for all men once to die, Do make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following viz; First I recommend my soul unto that God that gave it, and my Body I recommend unto my Executors to be buried in a decent Christian like manner, and as to such worly (sic) Estate as it has pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath in the manner & form following, First of all I will and order that all my Debts be paid by my Executors. Secondly I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Sarah Matthews all my real and personal Estate of what kind so ever (after my Debts are paid as aforesaid) to her and her heirs and assigns for ever, and I do ordain this my Last Will and Testament and do Revok (sic) and disannul all former wills by me made, and I do appoint Silas Sandford and Sarah Matthews my Executor and Executrix. Thomas Matthews (Seal) Signed Seal'd and Delivered in the presents of us} John Cameron Alex McCredie John Arnett At a Hustings Court continued and held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of John Hare in the said Town, Thursday the Sixth Day of November 1788, the Last Will and Testament of Thomas Matthews deceased was proved by the Oaths of John Cameron & Alexander McCredie two of the witnesses thereto and is ordered to be Recorded. And on the motion of Silas Sandford and Sarah Matthews the Executor and Executrix therein named who made oath thereto and together with Jones Allen Dean their security entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of Five Hundred Pounds conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probat thereof in due form. Atteste I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Samuel Glass (Will Book 1, page 193, Petersburg,VA.) March Hustings Court, 1793 IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Samuel Glass of the town of Petersburg and State of Virginia being of sound mind and perfect memory do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following viz; First - I give and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Glass two thirds of all the property I am really possessed of - Secondly - I give and bequeath unto my father Hugh Glass and unto my brother Hugh Glass Junior the remaining one third of my property which I desire may be equally divided between them, but in case of the decease of either prior to the payment of such legacies last mentioned; I give and bequeath to my said sister Elizabeth Glass or her lawful heirs whatever sum may appear to become their right - Third - Lastly, I nominate and appoint my friends Robert Moore and Hugh Hunter to be my lawful Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty first day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety - Samuel Glass (Seal) Test Robert Birchett Alex'r. Madill At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Robert Armistead in the said Town, Monday the fourth day of March 1793- On the motion of Robert Moore one of the executors named in the Last Will and Testament of Samuel Glass dec'd. the said Last Will and Testament of the said Samuel Glass dec'd. having been at a former court, proved by the oath of Robert Birchett one of the witnesses thereto, is ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Executor who made oath thereto and together with Isaac Davidson his security entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of two thousand six hundred pounds as the law directs, a certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, liberty being reserved for the other Executor in the said will named, to join in the probate when he shall think fit. Attest I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of John Arbuckle (Will Book 1, page 26, Petersburg,VA.) I John Arbuckle of the Town of Petersburg, do make this my Last Will and Testament. I give and bequeath to my wife Hester Arbuckle my House & lot in the Town of Gatesvill distinguished by No.42 during her natural life for the purpose of raising my chidren, and at her Death, my desire is that it should be sold and the money equally divided between my surviving children. I lend unto my wife Hester Arbuckle my Negro's Lucy, Daniel, & Nancy; with their future increase, for the support of herself and my children; until my Daughter Martha arrives to the age of Eighteen, or marries;at which time my will and desire is that my above mentioned Negro's with their increase should be divided between my said wife and my surviving children, share & share alike, to them & their heirs & assigns forever.- I give & bequeath to my wife Hester Arbuckle during her natural life, the one half of all my Household and Kitchen furniture, and at her death to be equally divided between my children. The other half, I desire may be sold and the money applied to the discharge of my debts. It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid & the debts on my books should be immediately collected, and the balance applied to the maintenance and Education of my three children,when my daughter Martha arrives at the age Eighteen, my desire is that whatever balance of money, may then remain, that it should be equally divided between my three children.- It is my will and desire that my son John Arbuckle be bound an apprentice until he arrives at the age of Twenty years and that my friend Mr.Andrew Hamilton be requested to take him. I nominate & appoint my friends Mr.Jesse Cogbill & Mr.Hecter McNeil Executors to this my Last Will and Testament. Signed Sealed & dated this 14th day April 1785. John Arbuckle (Seal) Test. Alex'r. Glass Strachan George Dudgeon James Durell At a Court of Hustings held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of William Durell on Wednesday the 1st day of June 1785 and continued. The Last Will and Testament of John Arbuckle was proved by the oaths of Alexander Glass Strachen, George Dudgeon and James Durell witness thereto and is ordered to be Recorded. Test. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Stephen Wiat (Will Book 1, page 119, Petersburg,VA.) Town of Petersburg, April Court 1789 Petersburg January 22d 1789 In the Name of God Amen I, Stephen Wiat of the Town of Petersburg in the County of Chesterfield and the State of Virginia, Being weak of Body but of sound mind and memory thanks be to God for the same, and calling to mind the mortality of man that it is appointed once for all men to die, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following (viz.) First I recommend my soul into the hands of that God that gave it and my body I recommend to my Executors to be buried in a Christian like Burial, and as to such worly (sic) Estate as it has pleas'd God to Bless me with I give and bequeath in the manner and form following that is to say. I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Horton and her Heirs and assigns for ever all my real and personal Estate of what kind so ever and do Revoke all former wills by me made and do appoint Elizabeth Horton my soal Executrise of this my has will and testament. Stephen(hisxmark)Wiat (Seal) Sign'd, Seal'd, & Deliv'd in the presents of us} Silas Sandford Benjamin Cook James(hisxmark)Wyatt At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Seth Foster(Heretofore called John Hares)in the said Town, Wednesday the first day of April 1789. The Last Will and Testament of Stephen Wiat dec'd, was proved in open court by the oaths of Silas Sandford and James Wyat two of the witnesses thereto and is ordered to be Recorded. Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Alexander McNabb (Will Book 1, page 91, Petersburg,VA.) Town of Petersburg: March Hustings Court 1788 My Will and desire is that all my just Debts be paid of what kind so ever by my Executor mentioned & that they comply with & make good all my contracts the same as I might or could do while alive.- I leave to my wife Elizabeth McNabb all of the use, Profits, Interest, Rents Privelages & Advantages that can or may arise from all the Estate I am now or may Die possesed of to be disposed of in what manner she with the advice of my Executor hereafter mentioned may think proper.- And at my wifes Death I give and Bequeath unto my worthy friend & Brother Abraham Green of Amelia County, all my Estate both real and personal, to be divided as he may think proper amongst his present children Polly, Betsy, Sally, & Henry Green or the survivors of them (except Negro Plutarch I desire he may have the liberty of chusing to live with whom he thinks proper, but he is not to be sold on any pretence whatever) all which Estate except as above excepted, I give to my friend Abraham Green to him & his Heirs forever for the purposes above mentioned. Should any money be due me for Real Property sold, and my debts all paid, it is to be put out on Interest on good security, or vested in other property & the Interest or profits arising from the same to be applied towards the proper support of my widow. Lastly I constitute and appoint my Friend Abraham Green Executor & Elizabeth NcNabb during her widowhood Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament and desire they may not be obliged to give Security for the probate thereof, nor have any appraisment.- Written with my own hand & Sealed with my Seal and dated this 18th day of July 1787. Alex McNabb (Seal) At Hustings Court held for the town of petersburg at the House of John Hare in the said Town Wednesday the Fifth Day of March 1788.- The Last Will & Testament of Alexander McNabb dec'd. was presented in court by Abraham Green the Executor therein named, and there being no witness to the said will, Robert Stuart, Thomas Pollard and Thomas Humphreys being sworn severally deposed that they are well acquainted with the Testators hand writing and verily believe that the said will and the name thereto subscribed are all of the said Testators proper hand writing whereupon the said will is ordered to be Recorded. And on the motion of the said Executor who made oath thereto and together with John Shore Robert Stuart & Thomas Humphries his securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of Ten Thousand Pounds conditioned as the Law directs Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat thereto in due form. Liberty being reserved for the Executrix in the said will named to join in the probat when she shall think fit.- Atteste I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of George Dudgeon (Will Book 1, page 120, Petersburg,VA.) Town of Petersburg; August Court 1789 In The Name of God Amen I George Dudgeon of the County of Dinwiddie and Town of Petersburg, being weak in body, of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit; Imprimus I give and bequeath to my loving wife Martha Dudgeon a Negroe woman or girl called Peggy; the remaining part of my Estate I dispose of as follows; One third part thereto of every denomination after payment of my just debts, I give and bequeath to my said wife Martha Dudgeon her heirs & assigns for ever, the remaining two thirds I lend to my wife Martha Dudgeon for and during the term of her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between my children George, Betsy, and Nancy Dudgeon; and the child wherewith my said wife Martha is now pregnant if it lives to arrive at the age of maturity, but if my said wife Martha should miscarry or the child should die in its infancy then I desire the above mentioned part of my Estate to be equally divided between my three children above named. I desire my Executors hereafter named to revive & carry on the suit now depending between John McCrae and myself, concerning a Negroe Boy called George. Lastly I nominate and appoint my wife Martha Dudgeon, & my friends Jesse Lee Sen'r. & James Geddy Sen'r. Executors. and Executors of this my Will and Testament, hereby revoking, and disanulling all other wills by me made, and declaring this to be my Last Will & Testament, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal, this 6th day of June 1789. George Dudgeon (LS) Signed Sealed & acknowledged in the presence of us} William Steger Randall Warren Miranda Steger At a Hustings Court continued and held for the town of Petersburg at the house of James Bromly (heretofore called John Hares) in the said Town Thursday the sixth Day of August 1789.The Last Will and Testament of George Dudgeon deceas'd was presented in court by Martha Dudgeon the Executrix therein named and was proved by the oaths of William Stegar Randall Warren and Miranda Stegar witnesses thereto and is ordered to be Recorded, and on the motion of the said Executrix who made oath thereto and together with William Stevenson her security entered into and acknowledged their Bond in penalty of five hundred pounds as the Law directs - Certificate is granted her for obtaining probat thereof in due form. Atteste I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Margaret Edwards (Will Book 1, page 128, Petersburg,VA.) In the Name of God Amen I Margaret Edwards of the County of Chesterfield and Parish of Dale being in my perfect senses mind and memory, praised be God do give and dispose of all my worldly goods in manner and form following viz. Imp. All my Estate both real and personal I give to be equally Divided between my son in law John Edwards, my Daughters in Law Mary Cook, Elizabeth Edwards, Martha Cosby and Nancy Traylor and Mark Edwards son of the said John Edwards, to them their heirs and assigns forever. Item. I appoint and ordain William Clark & William Rowlet Executors to this my Last Will and Testament, Desiring my Estate not be appraised, and in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this Seventh day of October Anno Dom'. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine. Margaret(herxmark)Edwards (Seal) Signed Sealed & Acknowledged This to be my Last Will & Testament in the presents of- William Clark Jun'r. William Rowlet Wm. Clark At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of James Bromley (heretofore called John Hares) in the said Town Wednesday the sixth Day of January 1790.The Last Will and Testament of Margaret Edwards dec'd was presented in court and was proved by the oaths of William Rowlett and William Clark two of the witnesses thereto and is ordered to be Recorded. And on the motion of William Rowlett and William Clark the Executors therein named who made oath thereto and together with William Stevenson their security entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of Five hundred pounds as the Law directs, Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probat thereto in due form.- Attest I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of William Buchanan (Will Book 1, page 132, Petersburg,VA.) Town of Petersburg January 9th 1790. Henry Morris and Lewis Edwards compeared before me and on the Holy Evangilists of Almighty God severally made oath yesterday being informed that William Buchanan of petersburg was dying they went into his room to see him and found him perfectly in his senses but very low, that upon being asked by one of them if he had made a will he replied that he had not, he was then asked if he chose to make one, he answered no, he was next asked what he wished should be done with his estate after his Debts were paid & whether he wished that the children he had by that woman (pointing to Ann Poythress with whom he had cohabited for a number of years) should have his estate, to which he answered "I will that they should have everything I have in the world", he was also asked who he wished should have the care of it in the mean time, to which he replied "the woman" to whom one of the deponants pointed at the time, who is the said woman with whom he has cohabited with so long, and further these deponants say not. Henry Morris Lewis Edwards Sworn before me at forty five minutes after twelve o'clock at noon by the persons above named. Sam'l. Davis Ald'r. At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Robert Armistead in the said Town Monday the fifth Day of April 1790. The Depositions of Henry Morris and Lewis Edwards purporting the noncupative will of William Buchanan dec'd were established by the court as the Will of the said William Buchanan and is ordered to be recorded. Attest I.Gramer C.H.C. Will of Jesse Baily (Will Book 1, page 133, Petersburg,VA.) July Court 1790. In The Name of God Amen. I Jesse Baily of the town of Petersburg and Commonwealth of Virginia Mariner, being of perfect mind and memory make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament, appointing as Executors thereof Mr.James Campbell, Luke Wheeler, John Osborne of Petersburg, and Mr.John Crane of Fauquier County or either of them; whom I desire may cause me to be decently buried, and after paying my funeral charges and what few Debts I may owe, I desire the following disposition to be made of my Effects. Item. I leave unto my three nieces the Daughters of my Brother John Baily, to be equally divided between them, all the benefit which may arise out of the following effects & Debts. That is to say, a Debt due to me by Mr.James Ball Ex'r. of John Baily, a Debt due to me by my uncle Charles Rogers, a Debt due to me by Mr.William Sidner as will appear by memorand'ms among my papers. I likewise give to my said nieces, to be divided in like manner between them, the money or tobacco thats due to me in Orange with the particulars of which Mr. Paine of that County is acquainted. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Godson Jesse Baily for his natural life and at his decease to the Heirs of his body, the Land I own in orange including the one hundred acre I bought lately from Greenwood; and also my two Negro men Harry and George, and a Negro woman called Tob with her child & their future increase But in case of the Death or failure of heirs as aforesaid of my said Godson Jesse Baily, I in that case wish that the Estate intended him shall go thereupon to my Brother Charles Baily of Amelia, & his heirs for ever. Item. What wearing apparel I have with me at Petersburg I leave to my Brother Charles Baily, except some trifles to be otherways disposed of as hereinafter directed. I likewise leave him the money he owes me and desire on my Death my Executors to give him up his Bond with a discharge. Item. I desire my friend John Crane to accept of my Silver Watch, and also any clothing that I may have at my Uncle Rogers. To my friend James Campbell I give the pair of sleeve buttons now in his possession; and I beg Mr.Osborne to accept my Shoe & Knee Buckles as a small testimony of my Regard for their attention to me while I lived with them. I desire my friend Luke Wheeler to own and possess my Negro Boy Abraham, and as he is of more value than Mr.Wheeler wishes to accept, he may pay to my sister Jane Turner in Loudoun, or to such of her children as from enquiry he may think it will serve most, the sum of Fifteen pounds, whenever he may find it convenient so to do. Item. If after paying my Debts and making the above distribution of my Effects there is anything left I desire that my Ex'rs. Campbell, & Wheeler should bestow it upon the Education of the Eldest son of my Brother Charles Baily. Lastly to prevent trouble & inconveniance to my Executors I desire if the Law will dispense with it that they may not be obliged to give Bond for the performance of anything here required, And that part of my Est. bequeathed in the first & second item I desire my friend John Crane to take the trouble of. The rest being convenient to the other Ex'rs. I leave with and beg of them to manage. In witness whereof I do hereby set my hand this Twenty Sixth day of April 1789. Jesse Baily Acknowledged in the presence of Joseph Farland John Osborne Tho's. Armistead At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Robert Armistead in the said Town Monday the Seventh day of June 1790. The Last Will and Testament of Jesse Baily deceased was presented in Court by John Osborne & Thomas Armistead two of the witnesses thereto and is ordered to be Recorded. Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of John Cathcart (Will Book 1, page 139, Petersburg,VA.) Petersburg December 1790 In the name of God Amen, I John Cathcart of the Town of Petersburg Merchant considering the uncertainty of this mortal life & being of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following (that is to say),First, I give devise & bequeath to my two Nephews James Ross and James Miller all my Estate right Title Interest (with the appurtenances)in the Lands of Cearnbeg and Cearnmore,situate lying & being in the County of Antrim and Kingdom of Ireland equally share & share alike. Secondly, I leave & bequeath to my beloved Mother Sarah Hamil, Alias Cathcart one Hundred Guineas to be paid out of the Rents of said Lands of Cearnbeg and Cearnmore for her use. All other of my Estate & Fortune real & personal after paying all my just and Lawful Debts I leave and bequeath to my two Sisters Children Equally share & share alike excepting the following Legacies herein mentioned to be paid as herein directed I leave & bequeath to Mary Nicholsons Daughter Betsy my Negro wench Mary in care of her mother Mary Nicholson until she comes of age also Ten Pounds annually for the term of Five years to said Mary Nicholsons Daughter Betsey use & should the Daughter happen to die before said Term the above legacies to go to the use of the mother in case of survivorship. Should either of my two Nephews die the above mentioned Lands to go & belong to the survivor if he so happening to die did not leave Lawfully begotten Issue and if both should happen to die without Issue Lawfully begotten it is my desire that the said Lands of Cearnbeg & Cearnmore should devolve to the next Heir at Law. I do hereby nominate & appoint my good Friends Hugh Hunter and Rob't. Moore both of the Town of Petersburg Merchants Executors to this my Last Will & Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal and published and declared this to be my Last Will and Testament this Seventeenth day of November 1790 Ninety. Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testator as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witness in his presence & at his request and in the presence of each other. Jno. Cathcart (Seal) And'w. Young Isaac Davidson John W. Johnson At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Robert Armistead in the said Town Monday the Sixth Day of December 1790. The Last Will and Testament of John Cathcart dec'd was presented in open Court by Hugh Hunter one of the Excors. herein named and was proved by the oaths of Andrew Young Isaac Davidson & John Johnston witnesses thereto & is ordered to be Recorded, and on the motion of the said Executor who made oath and together with Joseph Jones and John Brown his securities entered into and Acknowledged Bond in the Penalty of Three Thousand Pounds as the law directs, Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat thereof in due form, liberty being reserved for the other Executor named in the said will to join the probat when he shall think fit. Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Robert Tucker (Will Book 1, page 142, Petersburg,VA.) I Robert Tucker of the Town of Petersburg, County of Dinwiddie & State of Virginia being at this time of a perfect sound mind do make this my Last Will & Testament hereby revoking & making Void all other Former Wills Viz.- That all my just Debts Shall be paid out of my Estate as soon as convenient; after which I give & bequeath all the remainder of my Estate whatsoever both real & personal unto my beloved wife Anne Tucker for ever, & to be at her disposal, hereby nominating her and appointing her sole Executor to this my said Will. In witness whereof I this day do affix my hand and seal in presence of the under mentioned persons this Seventh Day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety. Robert Tucker (Seal) Witness William Stainback James Knox RT. Hiblethwaite At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the House of Robert Armistead in the said Town Monday the seventh Day of February 1791.The Last Will and Testament of Robert Tucker dec'd. was presented in Court by Anne Tucker the Executor therein named and proved by the oaths of William Stainback and James Knox two of the Witnesses thereto and is ordered to be Recorded.- Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Gressett Davis (will Book 1, page 143, Petersburg,VA.) June Court 1791 In the name of God Amen I Gressett Davis of the Town of Petersburg being in health of Body and of Sound mind do hereby make my Last Will and Testament viz. First. I resign my soul to God and my Body to the dust in sure and perfect hope of a resurection of my Body and a re-union of Soul & Body in the morning of the general resurection; my Body I desire may be intered in such place and my funeral conducted in such manner as my beloved wife may think proper, & as to my worldly Estate of Lands Goods & Chattells I desire they may be disposed of & applyed in the following manner viz. First.-I desire that my Negro Girl Clarissa may remain with my beloved wife until she arrive to the age of Twenty one years & from and after that age she shall enjoy a full & perfect liberation or emancipation, & that all my Stock, Household Furniture & Phaeton be reserved for the use and benefit of my beloved wife. Secondly.- I desire that all my Merchandise Goods may be sold and disposed of on six months credit in order to discharge my Debts & that my beloved friend Stith Parham may be continued on his present wages so long as it may be found necessary to dispose of my Goods, settle my Books and my copartneries with my beloved Brothers John & Asa Davis. Thirdly.- I hereby invest my Executors & Executrix with full power to dispose of such part of my landed Estate as they may think most for the benefit of my beloved & children & for the discharge of my Debts excepting always reserving Lotts No.forty four & forty five in Ravenscroft Town for the use of my beloved wife during her natural life & it is my desire that my Estate remain undivided during the life of my beloved wife & that she may live on it & raise my children thereon as she may see fit my sons I desire may be educated liberally and my Daughters as my beloved wife may choose. Fourthly.- I desire that whatever may remain of my Estate after the decease of my beloved wife & Education of my children may be eaqually Divided betwixt such of my children which may then be alive & in case my beloved wife should live untill my children arrive to mans Estate & she may think proper to furnish them or either of them with a lot or lotts of my Land such part shall be valued at the time they or either of them takes possession thereof & be chargeable to them in the gen'l. division of the value it was of when they received it. Lastly.- I hereby appoint my beloved wife my executrix & my friends Jos. Harding & Stith Parham Executors to this my Last Will & Testament. (There was no signature) At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the House of Robert Armistead in the said Town Monday the sixth Day of June 1791. A certain paper or writing purporting to contain the Last Will and Testament of Gressett Davis deceased, but having no name subscribed thereto was presented in court by Joseph Harding who is named therein as one of the Executors. And the said Joseph Harding together with John Baird Jr. and John McRae being sworn, severally deposed that they are well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Gressett Davis and verily believe that the writing contained in the said paper is of the proper hand writing of the said Gressett Davis, dec'd. whereupon the court establish the said writing as the Last Will and Testament of the said Gressett Davis dec'd. and it is ordered to be Recorded. And the Executrix and Executors named in the said will refusing to take upon them the Burthen of the Execution thereof, on the motion of Abraham Green who made oath and together with John Baird Jr. & Joseph Harding his securities entered into and acknowledged Bond in the penalty of Six Thousand Pounds as the Law directs, Certificate is granted him for obtaining Letters of administration on the said decedants Estate, with his will aforesaid annexed, in due form. Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of William Steger (Will Book 1, page 147, Petersburg,VA.) Town of Petersburg November Court 1790 Truely sensible of the inevitable Execution of the divine Sentence on all the Race of Adam, and that Death must sooner or later be the portion of all and every of them, I William Steger of the Town of Petersburg and County of Dinwiddie, being through the infinate mercy of a wise bountiful and beneficial creator blessed with a tolerable Degree of Health and in the perfect use of what share of sense the Almighty Father of Nature hath through good in his wisdom to bestow on me Do in his holy Name & with perfect & humble Resignation to his divine Will, make & ordain this my Last Will & Testament.- INPRIMIS I recommend my spirit into the Hands of my merciful Creator, hoping and praying through his mercy alone, I may receive a full Remission of all my sins, done in the Days of my Flesh. My life has been dreadfully iniquitous but his mercy is superabundant and extendeth over all the Work of his Hands.On that I rely, disclaiming & renouncing all pretension to merit anything from his Hands; but whatever mercy I receive must be through the act of his divine Grace;to whom be ascribed all Praise, Power & Glory, henceforth, now and forever world without End Amen. MY BODY I commit to the Earth, it is a matter of Indifference to me what becomes of it but for Decency Sake, let my Executrix hereafter named inter it in the frugallest manner that can be done.- AS I have most part of my life been of the Silly & Raven Tribe, relying on the Bounties of providence for my daily subsistenance; my worldly Effects are but small, yet to prevent as much as in my power, any Disputes concerning the disposal of what Trifles I may leave at the time of my Death I dispose of them in the following manner.- MY LAND in Nottoway County, near the Butterwood Spring, I desire may be sold in such manner as my Executrix thinks best and the proceeds thereof applied to the payment of my just Debts; & if that does not suffice for the purpose, I desire my Executrix to dispose of such of my personal Estate as she may think fit, to make up the Deficiency in such manner as she may deem convenient.- I GIVE and bequeath to my best Friend Rand'l. Warren a Suit of broad cloth cloaths, to be purchased out of my Estate; his services & affection to me & my Family require much more; but as I have so little to leave I request him to accept the same,as a Token of acknowledgement due to him in gratitude.- ALL THE RESIDUE of my Estate, both real & personal, of every Denomination I leave to the sole use & Disposal of my wife Miranda Steger during her natural life, & at the Expiration of that Term, it is my Desire that it may be divided between my two Daughters, Lucia Ann Gina Folwel, & Miranda Warren Steger, the Division to be regulated & equalized by my Executrix in such manner as she may see best.- MY HOUSE & LOTT No. thirty six (36) in the old street of the Town of Petersburg being included in the above Devise. I hereby empower my Executrix to dispose of the same for the Benefit of the Children if she thinks fit, or exchange it for other property; if such sale or exchange take place the proceeds thereof are hereby devised as before mentioned.- IF EITHER of my Daughters should die before my wife Miranda Steger I desire that her share of my Estate may go to her issue & in Default thereof, to her surviving sister.- IF BOTH my Daughters should die before my wife Miranda Steger leaving no Issue, I give & devise all my above mentioned Estate to be divided equally beyween Randal Warren and my son in law Edward G.Folwell after the Death of my wife.- AND in case of the Death of either of the above mentioned parties, before the Death of my wife Miranda Steger, I give and bequeath both or either of their respective shares of my Estate to my wife Miranda Steger to be disposed of as she may see fit.- LASTLY I appoint my wife Miranda Steger the sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and disanulling all other Wills by me made, and declaring this to be my last.- AND if the divine Author of all Goodness should in his Mercy continue my life till my Estate is clear of Debt, I then desire that there may be no appraisement of my Estate or Security of my Executrix for the performance of this my will, being fully convinced of her Fidelity and the goodness of her intentions.- IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this fifteenth Day of November Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred & Ninety.- William Steger (Seal) Signed, Sealed & delivered in the presence of us} Thomas Pollard Phillip Ott Francis Brown John Crumpler At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Robert Armistead in the said Town Monday the Seventh Day of November 1791 The Last Will and Testament of William Steger deceased was presented in court by Miranda Steger the Executrix therein named and prove by the oath and affirmation of John Crumpler and Francis Brown two of the witnesses thereto, and is ordered to be Recorded; AND on the Motion of the said Executrix who made oath thereto, and together with Robert Evans & Edward G.Folwell her securities entered into & acknowledged Bond in the penalty of Five hundred pounds, as the Law directs, Certificate is granted her for obtaining a probat thereof in due form.- Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Lewis Uncle (Will Book 1, page 184, Petersburg,VA.) May Court 1792 In The Name of God Amen I Lewis Uncle of the Town of Petersburg and County of Dinwiddie being weak in Body but sensible in mind to make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. I commend my soul unto God and my Body to be decently buried.- Inprimis. I do leave and bequeath unto my lawful wife Ann Uncle for her faithful services to me all my Estate real and personal, book debts accounts etc. and every thing I am possessed of after my paying my just debts to her and her heirs forever, in case of the said Ann dying the whole to revert to my children in an equal proportion to them and their heirs forever Witness my hand Seal in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety One Lewis(hisxmark)Unkle (Seal) George Wilson - Witness Henry(hisxmark)Oakwood - Witness James Stevens - Witness At a Hustings Court continued and held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Robert Armistead in the said Town Tuesday the Eighth day of May 1792. The Last Will and Testament of Lewis Unkle deceased was presented in court by Ann Unkle And was proved by the oaths of George Wilson and Henry Oakwood two of the witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded. Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Archibald Minetree (Will Book 1, page 185, Petersburg,VA.) In The Name of God Amen: I Archibald Minetree of the County of Dinwiddie being sick in body tho of perfect sense and memory, do make and ordain this my Last Will & Testament revoking and disanulling all by me made. Inprimis,My desire is that my Estate be kept together on my plantation under the direction of my Executors hereafter named and that my children be schooled and supported from the profits thereof, my daughter Elizabeth to receive her part of the profit anually untill a division thereof takes place and my daughter Mary also to receive her proportion untill the division in like manner, my sons I desire may be bound to the best mechanicks after they are sufficiently educated, my desire is that when my son David arrives to the age of Fifteen years, that my whole Estate both real and personal be equally divided among all my children that are then living.- Item My desire is that my Ex'rs. pay Mrs.Crompley five pounds per annum, as long as she continues her services to my children.- Item I do constitute and appoint William Lewis and Benjamin Boisseau Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, vesting them with full powers to act according to my desire above specified, as witness my hand and Seal this Eighteenth day of Feby.1785. My desire is that my Executors sell my Sorrell riding Horse on twelve months credit. Arch. Minetree (Seal) Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of} Martha(herxmark)Elliott R'd. Yarbrough At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Robert Armistead in the said Town Monday the fourth day of June 1792.- The Last Will and Testament of Archibald Minetree dec'd was proved in open court by the oath of Richard Yarbrough one of the witnesses thereto and the same having been before proved by the oath of Martha Elliott the other witness thereto, is ordered to be Recorded.- AND on the motion of Benjamin Boisseau one of the Executors therein named, who made oath and together with Benjamin Boisseau Jun., his security entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of fifteen hundred pounds as the Law directs, Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form Liberty being reserved for the other Executor in the said will named to join in the probat when he shall think fit.- Attest I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Michael Heathcote (Will Book 1, page 191, Petersburg,VA,) In The Name of God Amen I Michael Heathcote at Present of the Town of Petersburg and County of Prince George, being at this time of sound mind and memory but recollecting that it is ordained for all men once to die, and also recollecting the great uncertainty of this life do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say, Imprimis I lend to my loving and affectionate wife Mary Heathcote during her natural life the following property, to wit the lott and houses in the Town of Old Blandford whereon I now live known in the platt or plan of the said Town by the lott No.____ also seven Negros namely, Delsey, Usrey, Aggey, Billey, Aggy the daughter of Ursey, Keziah & Tom, also my Chariott & Horses and all my household & Kitchen furniture.- Item It is my will and desire that my hereafter named Executors shall out of my Estate, pay my loving wife the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds Sterling money yearly & every year during her natural life, which annuity, together with the loan of the before mentioned property, I do hereby intend as a provision for my wife during her life in lieu of her dower.- Item I Give and Bequeath to my son Edward Heathcote, after the death of my wife, all the Estate and property I have lent my wife during her life, as well the said lott & Houses, as the before mentioned seven slaves and other property to him and his Heirs forever. Item I Give and Bequeath to my said son Edward all the rest and residue of my Estate of every kind and nature whatsoever to him and his Heirs forever but should my said son die under the age of Twenty one years and unmarried, then and in that case, & on that contingency, I give all the Estate herein before given to my said Son to my affectionate Brothers Edward Heathcote, John Heathcote, & George Heathcote to be equally divided between them respectively to them and their respective heirs forever.- Item. I desire the Estate herein lent to my wife may not be inventoried or appraised.- Lastly. I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my affectionate Brother John Heathcote Merchant of London and James Dall of Baltimore Executors of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other & former wills by me heretofore made and do declare this to be my last, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this Seventeenth day of March Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and ninety two. Mich'l. Heathcote (Seal) Sign'd Seal'd Publish'd & declared by the testator to be his Last Will & Testament at whose request & in whose presence we have subscribed as witnesses hereto Rich'd. Gregory Luke Wheeler W. Gray. I do hereby desire and direct by way of codicil to this my Last Will that upon the Settlement of the concern of Heathcote & Fenwick and all other affairs if it shall appear and be manifest that my Estate is worth Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling money of Great Britain then and in that case I desire that my before mentioned executors or such of them as shall qualify, shall pay my wife the Sum of Two hundred pounds Sterling money of Great Britain yearly and every year from the date of the Settlement of my concerns during her natural life, instead of the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling as directed in my will.- Witness my hand and Seal this Seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and ninety two. Mich'l. Heathcote (Seal) Signed Sealed & Acknowledged in the presence of us} Rich'd. Gregory Luke Wheeler W. Gray At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the house of Robert Armistead in the said Town monday the fourth day of February 1793. The Last Will and Testament of Michael Heathcote dec'd, and the codicil thereto were proved in open Court by the oaths of Richard Gregory Luke Wheeler and William Gray witnesses thereto, and are ordered to be recorded And on the motion of James Dall one of the Executors therein named who made oath thereto, and together with Archibald Gracie and Luke Wheeler his securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of Thirty Thousand Pounds as the law directs, Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat in due form, liberty being reserved for the other Executor in the said will named, to join in the probat when he shall think fit.- Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. Will of Thomas Hope (Will Book 1, page 196, Petersburg,VA.) In The Name of God Amen I Thomas Hope of Petersb'g and State of Virginia being in perfect health and of sound memory do make my last Will and Testament this fourteenth day of March Anno Dom. One THousand Seven Hundred & Ninety One. In the first place I desire all my just Debts shall be paid, again I leave and bequeath to my Servant Glasgow Fifty Pounds Specie and a horse saddle and Bridle of sixteen pounds value or my Negroe boy Charles to him his heirs to be at his option which of the two he will receive, again I leave & bequeath to Lidia a Mulatto Girel which I set free in the County of Halifax fifty pounds or her two sisters by mothers side named Frances and Ritetia (or Frank & Ritta) to her and her heirs to be optional in her which she will take the money or slaves. I leave all the remainder of my Estate, real personal and Book Debts to my Brother Robert Hope in North Britain and in case of his death I give it to be equally divided between my two sisters Mary Hope and Jean Hope living in North Britain and in case of their death I leave it to their childereen,after paying to my Executors forty pounds Virginia money each as a gratuity for transacting my business after my decease (take notice Each is interlined) I hereby appoint Mr.Hugh Gordon merchant in Petersb'g and James Stevens merchant in Halifax County my Executors, lastly I desire to have a Scotish Burrial without parson prayers or sermon only give the attendants a repast & acquaintenances a draidgey(?) at my expense, I could wish my Negroes to have the chuesing of their masters if they should not bring their whole value This being my last will written with my own hand and signed the day and year first above written Thomas Hope N.B. The above named Glasgow and Lidia was both Sett free in Halifax County by the County Court at my desire and request Glasgow is Glasgow Hope. Thomas Hope At a Hustings Court held for the Town of Petersburg at the House of Robert Armistead in the said Town Monday the first day of April 1793. The Last Will and Testament of Thomas Hope dec'd. was produced in Court by Hugh Gordon and James Stevens the Executors therein named, and there being no witnesses to the said will Hector McNeill and Hugh Gordon being sworn severally deposed that they are well acquainted with the Testators hand writing, and verily believe that the said will and the name thereto subscribed are all of the said Testators proper hand writing whereupon the said Will is ordered to be recorded.- AND on the Motion of James Stevens one of the said Executors who made oath and together with Alexander Horsberg his security entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of One Thousand Pounds, as the law directs.- Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat thereof in due form, liberty being reserved for the other Executor named in the said Will to join in the probat when he should think fit. Attest. I.Grammer C.H.C. 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