Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Wills.....Lankford, Thomas, 1780 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ Thomas LANKFORD, will dated 20 Nov 1780, proved 20 Jan 1781 [margin notes] [p.] 312 Thomas Lankfords Will In the Name of God Amen, I Thomas Lankford of Southampton County Virginia being sick and weak of body, but of sound perfect and Disposing mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this Transitory life & knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do think proper to make this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following to Wit ~ Imprimis I lend to my dear and loving wife Elizabeth Lankford the use profits and Advantages of the Plantation and lands whereon I now live to include all the lands I bought of William Holiday, and Albridgton Whitley supposed to contain two hundred thirty seven acres also my negroes man Bromfield Lambo boy, James negro woman Pat and Pen, one bay mare, one filly and one old horse called Beck, sixteen head of the best of my horned Cattle, sixteen of the like best of my Sheep all my hoggs all my Geese. likewise all my household & kitchen Furniture plantation implements and tools of all kinds, also a sufficient part of my crop of every kind Pork and Salt for the support of her and her family from the time of my demise untill the end of the Year or whilst she hath made a crop of her own. the whole of the above, I lend her for and during the term of her natural life or widowhood and no longer. I likewise Give her One barrel of Brandy. Also I Give devise and Bequeath to my Son Elisha Lankford The Plantation and Lands which I bought of Wade Mountfortt supposed to contain one hundred & eighty Acres likewise the lands which I bought of William Glover, called the orchard tract containing by estimation one hundred acres also one other tract called the Island Land supposed to contain eighty acres which I likewise bought of William Glover the whole comprized bounded and described as by the said Wade Mountfortts deed and W.m Glovers two deeds to me is severally separately and distinctly expressed, also my hunting Gun my riding Saddle and bridle, as much money as shall be sufficient to build him a house, on his plantation) of the size and equally as good as the one in which I now dwell, being that nearest the road) with a ten foot shed thereto instead of eight feet. likewise one cow and calf & one heifer which I desire may be kept for him on his plantation to him and to his Heirs and assigns forever. Also I Give devise and Bequeath to my Son Jesse Lankford The Plantation & lands I bought of William Barrett whereon James Wilson now lives containing by estimation One hundred fifty acres bounded and discribed as by the said Barretts deed to me is declared and expressed to, him and to his Heirs and assigns forever, I also Give him my Squirrel Gun. Also, I Give devise and Bequeath to my Son Jesse Lankford after the death or marriage of my wife The Plantation and lands whereon I now live Comprising the lands I bought of W.m Holiday supposed to be ten acres and the lands I bought of Albridgton Whitley supposed to contain Two hundred & Twenty seven acres separately and distinctly expressed and discribed as by the s.d W.m Holidays deed & Albridgton Whitleys deed as by the same is expressed likewise my copper still Pott Cap & worm to him & to his Heirs and assigns forever ~ [page break] [p.] 313 Also, I Give and bequeath to my niece Mary Wadkins one negro Girl called Judy to her and her heirs and assigns forever. Also, Whereas my friend Shadrach Lewis hath kindly promised to be assisting to my Wife by comeing at least twice in the week to order and direct her negroes in their business and to see that they doe their duty, as negroes ought to do & also to extend his fatherly care to my children, by taking due care as well of their education as of their Estates, and as the said service and care if faithfully extended and Performed will not only be troublesome but will interfere with his own business, In consideration whereof I Give the s.d Shadrach Lewis the use and labour of my negro boy Ceasar untill my son Elisha Lankford arrives to the age of Twenty one years or in case of his death untill my Son Jesse Lankford attains to the age of Twenty one years as aforesaid at which his Service and care is to cease and determine ~ Also, And whereas James Chapple did of his own free will and accord Give up and sell to me, his right (being one third part) in a pair of millstones formerly my Fathers, for service done for me for the s.d Chapple, but as I conceive that his part or share in said stones are more than adequate to the Service I have done him, I do direct my Executors hereafter named to sell my right (being two thirds thereof.) to said Millstones, and if the s.d two thirds shall sell for more than Six hundred Pounds I do hereby direct and Authorise my s.d Executors to pay one half the s.d surpluss to s.d James Chapple or to his Heirs or assigns. Also I Give and bequeath all the remainder of my estate real or personal in Possession remainder, or reversion, to be equally divided, between all my Children Viz. Elisha Lankford Jesse Lankford Margarett Lankford Rebeckah Lankford & Ann Lankford And in case it should Please Divine Providence to bless me with other Children or Child it is my will and desire that they be included in this clause of my will and I do hereby Include them as fully as tho they were now born and mentioned by name to them and to their heirs and assigns or to the survivor or survivors of them or their heirs and assigns for ever. And whereas a part of my negroes must unavoidably be hired out it is my will and desire and I do hereby direct That they shall have the liberty of Choosing their own master with the approbation of my Executors and that they shall not be forced to serve Masters wholly against their liking provided they will chose for themselves as aforesaid. And as doubts may arise in some part of my last will & Testament by seeming contradictions or omissions, In every case of that nature or where my Ex'ors disagree I desire them to apply to Joseph Mountfortt and Benj.a Ruffin j.r & W.m Urquhart J W.m Hines son of Tho.s for their judgement thereon I desire their judgment or opinion may be taken and established and I do hereby establish it as fully to all intents And Purposes as tho I had so written Provided they be unanimous. Lastly I do hereby nominate Constitute ordain & appoint my wife Eliz.a Lankford my friend Shadrach Lewis & my brother Jesse Lankford my whole & sole Executrix & executors to this my last will & Testament hereby disannulling all other wills by me heretofore made Ratifying and Confirming this & no other to be my last [page break] [p.] 314 Will and Testament, In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twentyeth day November In the Year of our Lord Christ One thousand Seven hundred & Eighty. Thomas Lankford ĪSealĪ Signed Sealed Pronounced and Declared by the s.d Thomas Lankford as his Last Will & Testament In presence of .us, Joseph Mountfortt, Tho.s Mountfortt James Wilson. JDenson At a Court held for the County of Southampton the 11.th Day of Jan.y 1781 This Will was presented in Court by Eliz.a Lankford Shadrach Lewis & Jesse Lankford the Executrix & Executors therein namade [sic] and proved by the Oaths of Joseph Mountfortt & Tho.s Mountfortt the witnesses thereto. And Ordered to be Recorded. And on the motion of the s.d Executrix & Ex'ors who made oath according to Law Certificate is granted them for obtaining a Probat in due form giving Security whereupon &c. Sam Kello Cl Southampton Co., VA, Will Book 3, 1772-1782, pp. 312-14 The Library of Virginia (LVA), Richmond, VA LVA, Southampton Co. Microfilm Reel 16 images online at The Brantley Family Association Southampton Project: http://www.brantleyassociation.com/southampton_project/southampton_project_list.htm Elisha LANKFORD sold the "three small tracts" he inherited to William POPE, 22 Apr 1793 (13 Jun 1793). [DB7:810-12] Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com) [brackets mine] file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/wills/l521t1wl.txt