WILLS OF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA Will of Abraham Campbell Deed and Will Book 11, page 289-290, Written Feb 9 1805; Proved Jan 20 1806 LAST WILL AND TESTIMONY. In the name of God, Amen, I Abraham Campbell of Pittsylvania County, weak in body but of sound mind and memory, do make my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit. In the first place, I give and bequeath to my son, Richard Campbell and his heirs forever, the old plantation whereon I now live, also all that part of my said tract of land situated and lying on the east side of the road, that deed in the court house of this county, the nearest road which I live. Secondly, it is my will and desire, that all the remainder of land and also all my personal estate shall be sold on a reasonable credit for the best price than can be obtained, and it is my further will and desire, that the money arising from the said sale shall be money equally divided between my daughters as follows to wit: Agga Adams, Milly Kerby, Anna Thomas, Franky Watson, Betsy Campbell, Sally Richards, Lucy Worsham and Molly Worsham. Thirdly, I give to my son Henry Campbell one shilling. I hereby appoint my two sons-in-law Nathan Adams and Francis Worsham, Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any will or wills I may have made of a date or dates prior to this. Abraham (x) Campbell wit: Jeduthan Carter, William Welch, Richard Elliott, John Long. John Adams, son of Nathan Adams, deceased, security of executors Nathan Adams and Francis Worsham. At a court held for Pittsylvania County the 20th day of January 1806, within, Last Will and Testament of Abraham Campbell, deceased, was presented in court and proved by the oaths of two of the subscribing witnesses, thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of Nathan Adams and Francis Worsham, the executors therein named who made oath according to law and together with John Adams, (son of Nathan, deceased, their security entered into and acknowledge their bond in the penalty five hundred pounds, conditions as the law directs certificate is granted them for obtaining a probatge of the said will in due form. Teste: Will Tunstall, clk Submitted by Carol Adams ABSTRACT OF WILL WILLIAM THOMAS, written May 10 1842, proved July 18 1842. Wife, but not named. Sons: Cammell, Benjamin, Abram and daughter Mary, and my several children. Ex: Sons Ben and Abram. Wit: William H. Payne, O.E. Hambleton, William Payne (Note: Although his wife is not named, he married Ann Campbell, daughter of Abraham Campbell, marriage consent dated and signed by Abraham Campbell November 20, 1791) Submitted by Carol Adams Will of BENJAMIN MORRIS, written Dec 13, 1791, proved July 21, 1794. Names son Samuel, daughter Elizabeth Donelson, wife Mary Morris, names Mathew Creel and Mary Hedger (Hedges?) but doesn't state relationship, to Benjamin Morris's children, son John, son William. Ex: Son Samuel Morris and his wife, Mary. Submitted Carol Adams Will of WILLIAM MORRIS, written December, 1819, proved February 1831. Daughters Sarah Morris, Renthy (?) Morris, son John Morris, wife Mary Morris, and "my children". Witnessed: William Holley, E. Powell (?) and John ------? Submitted by Carol Adams Will of WILLIAM FINCH GARDNER, written Sep 30, 1872, proved Aug 18, 1873. Names wife Martha Jane Gardner (Note: This is Martha Jane Shelhorse, daughter of Jacob Shelhorse), names son Jacob S. Gardner. Ex: wife, Martha Jane Gardner. Submitted by Carol Adams Will of BARNET SHELHORSE, Written July 18 1837, proved Aug 21 1837. Names wife, Mary, daughters Elizabeth, Sally, Nancy, Catherine, Jane and Susan. To William Yates, "who married my daughter Polly", son Jacob, son William, son Henry. Ex: sons Jacob and Henry. Witnesses: Richard Jones, William Thomas and William A. Anthony. Submitted by Carol Adams Will of GREENWOOD ADAMS, Written November 23, 1837, proved Jan 18, 1838, names wife Nancy (This is Nancy Thomas, daughter of William and Ann Campbell Thomas) Names granddaughter Mary Ann Adams, daughter of my son, James Adams. Names grandson Jesse G. Adams. Says, "each of my own children". Ex: is wife Nancy. Witness: B.F. Williams and A. G. Pritchett Submitted by Carol Adams Will of NATHAN ADAMS, written Oct 28, 1801, proved Sep 20, 1802. Wife Anne Adams, son John Adams, son Joel Adams, children William Adams, Sarah Belges, Betty Prosize and Rebeccah Mabry, daughter Polley Adams. Ex: Anne Adams, wife. Witness: Tho H. Wooding, John Adams and James Sands (?) Submitted by Carol Adams Will of NATHAN ADAMS, written Feb 14 1823, proved May 19 1823. Names wife Aggy. (This Aggy is Agnes Campbell, the daughter of Abraham Campbell). Names children Greenwood, Mabry, Nancy, Harrison, Gabriel, Rossey, Polly, Susanna, Allen, Frankey. Names son Henry Campbell. Ex. nephew, James Adams, son of my brother John Adams. Wit: Thomas H. Wooding, Lewis Hagood, Redman Adams. Submitted by Carol Adams Will of BENJAMIN THOMAS, written Jan 27, 1863, proved Dec 2?, 1863. Names wife, Mary Thomas, "all my children". Names William Guerrent?, executor. Witnesses: John W. Guerrant, F. A. Swanson and C. H. Submitted by Carol Adams Will of GEORGE W. ADAMS, written March 15, 1856, proved Aug? 14?, 1856, to my beloved wife and child or children "as the case may be". R. V. Barksdale, ex. Witnesses, R. V. Barksdale, John W. Douglas and Judith? C. Man?. Submitted by Carol Adams Will of Richard Farthing Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed and Will Book 11-343 Page 150, Line 13 In the name of God amen! I, Richard Farthing, of the County of Pittsylvania, being of sound mind and memory, do make my last will and testament, that is to say; I give to my son Landy Farthing, 30 acres of land more or less agreeable to the lines around the land whereon he now lives and being part of the tract whereon I now live. I give to my son John Farthing 30 acres of land more or less agreeable to the lines around the land whereon he now lives and being part of the tract whereon I now live. I give to my son William Farthing 30 acres of land more or less agreeable to the lines around the land whereon he now lives and being part of the tract whereon I now live to be laid off agreeable to the lines now established. I also give my son William the use of the spring he now uses forever in common with his brother Richard Farthing. I give to my son Abner Farthing 30 acres of land more or less agreeable to the lines around the land whereon he now lives and being part of the tract whereon I now live. I give to my son Solomon Farthing 30 acres of land more or less agreeable to the lines around the land whereon he now lives and being part of the tract whereon I now live. I give to my son Dudley Farthing one feather bed and furniture I give nothing more to my daughters Michael Nicholas and Rebecca Parsons than what I have heretofore given it them on their intermarriage that being in my opinion equal to their portion of my estate. I give to my son Richard Farthing the remainder of my estate real and personal subject to the payment of my just debts and the maintenance of his mother Grisell Farthing during the remainder of her life and in the event of his failing or refusing to afford his mother sufficient maintenance for her comfort then and in that case it is my will and I direct accordingly that my wife the said Grisell Farthing shall enter upon and be possessed of all that part of my estate which I have conditionally given to my son Richard for and during her life and at her death it is my will that the same revert to the said Richard Farthing his heirs and assigns forever. lastly I do appoint my son Richard Farthing and my friend Thomas H. Wooding executors to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness wherof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 11 th day of March 1807. /s/ Richard Farthing in presence of David Bradley Zachariah Riddle Examined Susana Wooding At a court held for Pittsylvania County the 18th day of June 1810. This will was presented in court proven by the oaths of David Bradley and Zachariah Riddle two of the subscribed witnesses thereto and by the court ordered to be recorded. Teste Will Turnstall C.S. Submitted by Barbara Farthing Bonham Last Will and Testament Jeremiah Gray 23 May 1820 In the name of God Amen. I Jeremiah Grey of the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (Imprimis) my will and desire is that my Executor hereafter named shall pay all my just debts. Item. I lend unto my beloved wife, Nancy Grey, the tract of land lying on Sandy River where I now live including the mill and all other appurtainances during her natural life - and after her death to be equally divided between my following children: John Grey, Calvy Grey, Sally Grey, Adin Grey, Benjamin Grey and Itavia Grey to them and to each of them and their heirs forever. Item. I give unto my daughter Rebecca Fisher one Dollar to her and her heirs forever. Item. I give unto my son Joshua Grey one dollar. Item. I give unto the living children of my daughter Aney Pearson one dollar to be divided among them and their heirs forever. Item. I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Williams one dollar to her and her heirs forever. Item. Unto my son William Grey, one sorrel mare, saddle and bridle now in his possession and the one half of my Tract of land lying on Bean's Creek in Pittsylvania County to be laid off to him on the West end of said Tract of land to him and to his heirs forever. By the last will and testament of my Brother Adin Grey at the death of his wife Elizabeth Gray he has willed me a proportion of his Estate and at her death my will and desire is that my wife Nancy Grey shall receive one third of that Estate if she be then living during her natural life the other remaining part to be equally divided between the following children William Grey, Jeremiah Grey, John Grey, Calvy Grey, Polly Grey, Benjamin Grey, Adin Grey and Itavia Gray to them to each of them and their heirs forever. Item. I give all the remaining part of my Estate not heretofore mentioned to my wife Nancy Grey and for her to keep any young children together till they come to the age of twenty one years old or marry and shall school them as well as she can and at her death the one third of my brother Adin Grey's Estate mentioned in the above clause shall be divided between the children mentioned in the said clause above provided that each child therein named shall distribute his proportionable part for the maintenance of my son James Grey who is of and unsound mind and my will and desire is that he shall remain with his mother during his or her life and if he should be the longest liver that he shall be provided for by my children that is mentioned in the above clause. Lastly, I appoint and nominate my wife Nancy Gray and my son William Grey to be executors to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord 1820. Jeremiah Gray Signed sealed and acknowledged to be my Last Will and Testament in the presence of James Trotter David Boaz John Pritchett James Bullington At a Court held for Pittsylvania County the 21st day of August 1820. This Last Will and Testament of Jeremiah Grey deceased was presented in Court and proved by the oaths of three of the subscribing witnesses thereto ordered that the same be recorded. And at another court held for the said county on the 21st day of August 1822 - the Executors in this Will named having been summoned for that purpose and failing to take upon themselves the burden of the execution thereof -it is ordered that Robert Walters Sheriff of the said county do take the Estate of the said Jeremiah Gray deceased into his possession and administer the same with the Will annexed agreeable to law Last Will and Testament Nancy Gray 22 April 1850 My last will. I, Nancy Gray of the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made: and first I direct that my body be decently interred in my old burying ground in the said County, according to the rights and ceremonies of the church of which I am now a member, and as to such worldly estate, as it hath pleased God to entrust me with, I dispose of the same as follows - First, I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible, out of the first moneys that shall come into the hands of my executors, from any portion of my estate real or personal. Secondly, I give to my son John my tract of land and its improvements. I give to my grandaughter Elizabeth A. Gray (daughter of my son John), one bedstead, bed and furniture. I give to my son William one dollar Va. currency. I give to my son Jeremiah one dollar Va. currency. I give to my daughter Calva one dollar Va. Currency. I give to my daughter Sarah one dollar Va. currency. I give to my son Aden one dollar Va. currency and all the residue of my estate that has not been disposed of by me in this my will. I give to my son John, my son Benjamin and my daughter Itavia - to be equally divided - and to effectuate this my intention I do hereby vest in my executors full power and authority to dispose of my estate as above named - And, I do hereby make and ordain my esteemed neighbours, Thomas Murphy and Peter D. Guerrant and my son Benjamin. In witness whereof I Nancy Gray the Testatrix have to this my will written on one sheet of paper, set my hand and seal this twenty second day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty. Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us, who have subscribed in the presence of each other Nancy (X) Gray John Green John B. Green, Jr . William I. Davis (Clause) concerning the above will, and lastly my expressed will and desire is, and I do hereby ordain and appoint that if any difference or dispute, question or controversy shall arise or happen concerning any gift, bequest or other matter or thing in this my will, given or bequeathed, expressed or contained that then no suit or suits in law or equity or otherwise shall be brought or commenced or prosecuted for and concerning the same, but the same shall be forwarded, wholy, to this award, order and determination of my esteemed neighbours James Still and John Keen, with power for them to choose an umpire and if they or either of my said neighbours shall from any cause not be able or willing to act in premises, then I do direct that my son Benjamin and daughter Itavia shall each appoint an arbitrator or arbitrators in the place and stead of either or both of my esteemed neighbours James Still and John Keen, with the same power of choosing an umpire, and what the said arbitrators of if any umpire be appointed what a majority of the said arbitrators, shall order direct or determine therein shall be binding and conlusive to and on all and every person or persons therein concerned. Whereas, I witness my hand and seal as above to this my will and testament as above written. Nancy (X) Gray Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us who have subscribed in the presence of each other by her request John Green William Davis John B. Green, Jr. At a court held for the county of Pittsylvania this 17th day of June 1830. This Last Will and Testament of Nancy Gray deceased together with the codicil thereunder written was presented in court and proven by the oaths of three subscribing witnesses each, and ordered to be recorded. Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Will Book 2 Pages 102 and 103 Submitted by Molly Shumate Will of Moses Thornton 2 August 1847 I Moses Thornton of the County of Pittsylvania do make this my last will and testament as follows: First I give to my wife Sally during life all that portion of my land lying on the East Side of the Henry Road, on which I now reside together with one third of my slaves for life. Also one third of all other personal property owned by me and such portion of my household and kitchen furniture as she may desire all of which she may take at the appraised value. Secondly I desire my Executor hereinafter named to sell all the balance of my land except that held by my wife to convey the same and divide the proceeds thereof equally among my seven children and to divide the balance of my slaves and personal property (after allowing my wifes portion) equally among them. Such division of my slaves to be made either in kind or by sale as may be desired by my children or a majority of them. In the division of my estate among my children I desire and direct the following advancements heretofore made to be accounted for vis: My son Wiley Thornton to account for $228.78, my daughter Susan, wife of Turner Gosney for $233.00; my daughter Mary, wife of John Thornton for $229.50; my son Leonard H. for $29.23; my son James E. Thornton for $58.25; my son Harden N. Thornton for $69.22; my son Presley D. Thornton for $567.20. Thirdly after the death of my wife Sally I give the portion of my estate held by her for life to be equally divided among my aforesaid children. The land above designed for my wife is all that part my land lying on the East side of the road leading from Col. Joseph Martin's in Henry towards Danville. Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Wiley Thornton my Executor. Witness my hand this 3rd day of August 1847. Witness: Moses (X) Thornton William M. Tredway Ezekial Giles Greenberry Thornton At a county court held for the county of Pittsylvania on the 16th day of July 1860. The last will and testament of Moses Thornton was proved by Ezekiel P. Giles and Greenberry Thornton two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and was ordered to be recorded - And on the motion of Wiley Thornton the Executor therein named who made oath and with Drury Blair, Greenberry Thornton and Jefferson Dalton as his sureties who made oath to their sufficiency entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of thirty six thousand dollars, conditioned according to certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of said will in due form. Teste: L. Scruggs, Clk Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Will Book 2 Pages 328 and 329 Submitted by Molly Shumate Last Will and Testament James Strange 3 September 1808 In the Name of God Amen I, James Strange of the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia being of sound mind, memory and understanding do this 3rd day of September one thousand eight hundred and eight do make publish and declare this my last will and testament to be as followeth vis: I return my soul to almighty God beseeching his most gracious acceptance of it trusting in the merits of my Blessed Redeemer for the remission of all my sins and my body to its mother earth expecting its resurrection at the last day and to be buried at the direction of my Executors and as for the worldly estate it has pleased God to bestow upon me, I give and bequeath it in the following manner and and force after my just debts and funeral charges are paid I lend to my loving wife Susanna the plantation and land I now live upon with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging also, a negro man by the name of Steponey, also a sufficient part of my household and kitchen furniture, also two horse creatures and four cattle and my stock of hogs to hold the same and every of them during her life or widowhood and at the expiration of either of these periods I then give it in the following manner to be equally divided among all my children vis: Smith Strange, John Strange and Jesse Strange, Elizabeth Shewmate, Frances T. Strange and Mary Strange and the lawful heirs of their body forever and as I have already given to my three children that has married and left me some things along, I think proper to give to my other three children and their heirs forever the following property, vis: I give to my son Jesse Strange one cow and calf and I give to Frances T. Strange and Mary Strange each seven and a half pounds of feathers making in all fifteen pounds to be raised out of my estate, hereafter mentioned. I also give Francis T. Strange one featherbed and furniture also one cow and calf and two ______heifer also I give to Mary Strange one feather bed and furniture one cow and calf and a three _____ heifer also it is my desire that my two daughters last mentioned that they live with their mother and have a support with what I have given them during their single life or my wife's life or widowhood, also it is my desire that out of the present crop that my wife and two daughters each mentioned have a sufficient support for the ensuing year as my executors hereafter mentioned shall think proper, also it is my wish that the negro man Dick and my stock and other ____________ sold after finishing of the present crop and that to be equally divided among all my children whatever the property should fetch, it is also my desire that there shall be no appraisment of my estate. Lastly I constitute and appoint Capt. Isaiah Morton and Thomas Harris executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and date above written. James Strange Signed seal published and declared by James Strange to be his last will and testment in presence of us Tapley Akin Smith Strange Jesse Strange At a Court held for Pittsylvania County the 19th day of December 1808 this last will and testament of James Strange deceased, was presented in Court and proved by the oaths of the subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of Isaiah Morton and Thomas Harris the Executors in the said will named who made oath according to law and together with Smith Strange, Jesse Strange, Thomas Curry and Richard Johnson their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of One Thousand Dollars conditioned as the law direct. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form Teste: Will Tunstall, C.P.C. Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Will Book 2 Pages 320 and 321 Submitted by Molly Shumate Will of Presley Thornton In the name of God amen, I Presley Thornton of Pittsylvania County and state of Virginia being in good health in body and of perfect mind and memory being sensable that is appointed for man once to die and knowing that my latter end is drawing near I do by these presents make and ordain this to be my last will and Testament, I resign my soul into the hands of almighty God who gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form, First I lend unto my beloved wife MARY THORNTON one third of my estate during her natural lifetime thence to be divided amongst all the lawful heirs of her body in like manner, secondly I give and bequeath unto my son ZACARIAH THORNTON one equal share of my hole Estate thirdly I give and bequeath unto my son BOLEN THORNTON an equal share of my hole estate, Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my MOSES THORNTON one equal share of my hole estate Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Nance one equal share of my hole estate, Sixthly I give and bequeath unto my daughter JANE WILSON one equal share of my hole estate, seventhly I give and bequeath unto my son JOHN THORNTON one equal share of my whole estate, Eightly I also give unto my son WILLIAM THORNTON forty pounds sterling to be raised and levied out of my estate Ninthly I also give unto my daughter FANNY OAKES forty pounds sterling to be raised and levied out of my estate, I also give unto my son PRESLEY THORNTON one shilling sterling, I also give unto my daughter Barbary Jones one shilling sterling, I also give unto my daughter SUSANNAH WATTS one shilling sterling, I also give unto my daughter LUCY BARNETT one shilling sterling. Lastly I do hereby constitute and ordain my sons ROWLAND THORNTON and MOSES THORNTON to be lawful Executors of this my Last Will and Testament investing them with lawful and sufficient power to execute the same. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve. s/Presley (x) Thornton Signed Sealed, Published, pronounced, declared by this the said Presley Thornton as his Last Will and Testatment in the presents of us, who in his presents, and in the presents of each other have herto subscribed our names Clement Wilson, Agnatius Wilson, Mary Wilson At a Court held for Pittsylvania County the 15th day of May 1815, The within Will of Presley Thornton dec'd was presented in Court and proved by the oaths of two witnesses thereto subscribed and orderd to be recorded, and on the motion of Moses Thornton and Rowland Thornton the Executors therein named who made oath thereto according to law and together with Ellis Wilson and Randolph McDaniel their securities entered into and acknowledged their hand in the penalty of six thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs. Certificate is granted them for obtaining probate of the said Will in due form. Teste: Will Tunstall CDC Submitted by Molly Shumate USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation.