SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VA - WILLS AND ESTATES - James Bell, 29 Dec 1800 --------------¤¤¤¤¤¤-------------- I, James Bell of the county of Southampton being sick but of perfect sence and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner & form as follows (to wit): First and principally, my will and desire is that my loveing wife Brambry shall have the lease of all my lands I now possess during her life and also all the rest of my estate, except my negro girl Chany. But in case she should marry, my desire is the man whom she should marry may give bond and sufficient security to the parties to whom it will belong for the performance of the same, my will and desire is that the children may continue with her and that she may school them from the profits of the estate and after her decease, my will and desire is that the lands may be divided (to wit): The plantation I bought of Arthur Joyner, that Gideon Bell may have it, and the plantation I now live on may be equally divided between William Bell and James Bell. My will and desire is that my daughter Permelia Williams may have my negro girl Caney. My will and desire is after the deceas of my wife the residue of the negroes to be equally divided between my children (to wit): Gideon Williams, Elizabeth James, Polly & Nancy Bell. My will and desire is that at the deceas of my wife, all the residue of my estate may be equally divided between all my children: Permelia Williams, Gideon, William, James, Elizabeth, Polly & Nancy Bell. My will an desire is that my mill may continue in the plantation after the decease of my wife for the use of my three sons Gideon, William & James Bell. I do nominate and appoint my wife Bramlby and Britain Williams my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day December 1800. James Bell (seal) Signed, sealed in presence of: Michael Ellis his Drewry X Cotton mark John Cotton Henry Hines At a Court held for the County of Southampton the 16th day of February 1801 This Will was proved by the oaths of Michael Ellis, Drewry Cotton & Henry Hines, three of the witnesses thereto and conti8nued for the Executors (to qualify). And At a Court held for the County of Southampton the 20th day of April 1801 Brambly Bell & Britain Williams, the Executors therein named, who made oath according to law, Probat is granted them in due form giving security, whereupon &c &c. Samuel Kello, Cl. (clerk) Source: Library of Virginia, Will Book 5, 1797-1804 Southampton Co, VA Reel 17, pages 245-246 Note: Spelling was not corrected.Paragraphing and some punctuation were added by transcriber for ease in reading. There are no paragraphs in the original. Wife's name was spelled Brambry and Bramlby. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Von Mings Stachon vonstac@comcast.net ___________________________________________________________________