SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VA - WILLS AND ESTATES - John Ray, 22 Aug 1796
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IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, August the twenty second in the year of our Lord
Christ seven hundred and ninety six, I John Ray of Southampton county being
weak in body but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for it and
knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make this my last
will and testament.  Principally and first of all, I recommend my soul into
the hands of almighty God that gave it and my body to the ground to be buried
in a christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors and as touching
such worldly estate which it hath been pleased God to bless me with in this
life, I give in the following manner & form:

Item: I give & bequeath to my son William Ray all my land and plantation
whereon I now dwell, also one slave named Randall and one colt, to him and his
heirs forever.

Item: I leave all the rest of my estate to my wife Celah during her life or
widowhood and after her decease, all of the whole estate to be sold and
equally divided between my children John Ray, Mary Ray, Elizabeth Ray, William
Ray and Howell Ray.

I do hereby appoint my loving wife Celah Ray and Jacob Barrett my whole and
sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament.

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this day
and year above written.
                                                          his
                                                     John  X  Ray (seal)
                                                          mark
Signed, sealed & delivered
in presence of:
        his
William   X Sanderfer
        mark
Elizabeth X Ray
        mark
Isham    X Jackson
        mark
               At a Court held for the County of Southampton
                      the 21st day of August 1797

This Will was presented in court by Jacob Barrett, one of the Executors
therein named (the other refusing to take upon himself the burthen of the
executors thereof), proved by the oaths of William Sanderfer and Isham
Jackson, two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.  And on the
motion of the said Executors who made oath according to law, Certificate is
granted him for obtaining a Probat thereof in due form giving security,
whereupon &c.
                                                    Samuel Kello, Cl.(clerk)
Source: Library of Virginia,
Will Book 5, 1797-1804
Southampton Co, VA
Reel 17, pages 5-6

Note: Paragraphing and some punctuation was added by transcriber
for ease in reading. There are no paragraphs in the original.


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