Benjamin BARRETT (1765-1813), will dated 4 Jul 1812, recorded Nov 1813 

In the name of God Amen I Benjamin Barrett of the County of So.ampton, being 
deeply impressed with the shortness of life and the certainty of Eternity have 
made this my last will and testament. 

Imprimis  I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Catharine Barrett six hundred 
dollars also nine Negroes to wit, Venus  Miles, Jean_ Moses  Peter  Dempsy 
Winney  Sidney and Dinah, one bed and furniture also my household and kitchen 
furniture, except the balance of the beds & furniture, her Choice & Chair with 
gere(sic), to her and her heirs forever. I do also lend unto her my Beloved wife 
one half of the tract of land I now live on, also one half of the tract I 
purchased of Jesse Barrett, during her natural life or widowhood. 

Item  I give and bequeath to my son James Barrett, the Plantation he now lives 
on containing 375 Acres, more or less, together with the property he now has in 
his possession of mine to him and his heirs forever. 

Item  I give and bequeath to my daughter  Jane Barnes [altered from "Barrett"], 
five hundred dollars, in good Bonds together with the property she now has in 
her possession  of mine, to her & her heirs forever. 

Item  I give and bequeath to my daughter  Lucy Barnes five hundred dollars in 
good Bonds, together with the property she now has in her possession  of mine to 
her and her heirs forever. 

Item  I give and bequeath to my son  Giles Barrett the tract of land I purchased 
of Ephraim Bryant together with the tract, or parcel, of land I purchased of 
James Bryant also the property he now has in his possession  of mine to him  and 
his heirs forever. 

Item  I give and bequeath to my daughter  Lydia Barrett, fifteen hundred dollars 
in good Bonds or money, one feather bed and furniture, second choice, one horse, 
second choice, one chair  and harness and one Ladies Saddle, to her and her 
heirs forever. 

Item  I give and bequeath to my daughter  Ann Darden, two hundred & fifty 
dollars in good Bonds or money also the property she now has in her possession 
of mine to her and her heirs forever. 

Item  I give and bequeath to my son  John Barrett the tract of *-* I now live 
on, also the tract of land I purchased of Jesse Barrett containing 331 acres be 
the same more or less also one other tract of land formerly belonging to William 
Jackson, Containing 80 acres more or less also twelve hundred dollars in good 
Bonds or money to him and his heirs forever. 

Item  After all my just debts are paid my wish is the residue of my estate if 
any should be equaly(sic) divided between my daughters Jane Barnes, Lucy Barnes, 
Lydia Barrett & Ann Darden also my sons Giles Barrett and John Barrett to them 
and their heirs forever. 

Item  Nevertheless, should either of my aforementioned Children die, leaving no 
issue lawfully begotten  of their bodies, then my wish is, that such childs 
portion may be equally divided among those of them which may then be living or 
the heirs of such of such(dupe) as may have decd.

Item  I hereby nominate & appoint my beloved wife Catharine Barrett my Executrix 
to this my last will & testament; revoking all former wills by me made & do by 
these presents acknowledge this my last will & testament, this fourth day of 
July A.D. 1812.
                                                    Benjamin Barrett  (seal)

     Signed sealed & acknowledged 
  In the presence of       } 
     John Anderson         } 
     William Hills         } 
     Mason (hermark) Hills } 

At a court held for the County of Southampton the (blank) day of November 1813 
This will was presented in Court, proved by the Oaths of John Anderson  and 
William Hill two of the witnesses hereto and ordered to be recorded. 
The Executrix named in the will refusing to take upon herself the burthen of the 
Execution thereof. Thereupon On the Motion of James Barrett for the 
administration with the will annexed the same is granted him on his giving bond 
and security & taking the Oath prescribed by *-* whereupon &c 
                                                  --Not signed by clerk--
  
Transcriber note: two places marked by *-* appear to have a word or words 
left out. 

Southampton Co., VA, Will Book 7, 1810-1815, pp. 312-14 
   The Library of Virginia (LVA), Richmond, VA 
   LVA, Southampton Co. Microfilm Reel 18 

images online at The Brantley Family Association Southampton Project: 
http://www.brantleyassociation.com/southampton_project/southampton_project_list.htm

[Transcribed by Dale Whitfield (whitfieldroots@aol.com), 
 and re-formatted by File Manager.] 

[ANDERSON, BARNES, BARRETT, BRYANT, DARDEN, HILL, HILLS]