Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Wills.....Scott, James J., 1774 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ James Jordan SCOTT, will dated 20 Oct 1774, proved 14 Dec 1774 [margin notes] Scott J.J. ~ Will, In the name of God amen I James Jordan Scott of the county of Southampton, Virginia being in a declining estate of health but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of this body and knowing that it is appointed for men to die do think it necessary to appoint constitute make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following to wit Imprimis I leave devise to my loving wife Miriam Scott the [page break] [p.] 140 the use and profits of the plantation and lands whereon I now live untill the first day of first month which shall be in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred eighty six and after the experation of said term it is my will and desire that she enjoy one third of the profits aforesaid and no more I Also give her one hundred pounds current money to her & her hiers for ever to be laid out in such parts of my goods and chattles as she shall hire at the apprais'd value thereof 2dly. I give devise and bequeath unto my son Joseph Scott the following slaves (viz) Big Robin Cherry and Davy Also the sum of Two hundred pounds current money of Virginia to him and his hiers forever Also my sorrel horse called Jolly and the saddle and bridle he usually rides with one feather bed and furniture one silver watch ½ dozen silver table spoons one desk and book case one gun & one large trunk 3dly. I give devise and bequeath unto my son James Scott the plantation and lands whereon I now live to him and his heirs forever but if he should die without lawfull hier of his body or before he shall attain the age of twenty one years I then give said plantation, and lands to my son Robert and his hiers for ever 4th. I give devise and bequeath unto my son Robert Scott the sum of Two hundred pounds Current money of Virginia to him in hand paid 5th. I Give and bequeath to my daughter Anne Scott the Sum of Twenty five pounds current money ~ also half a doz. silver table Spoons to her and her hiers for ever 6th. I Give devise and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Scott the sum of Fifty pounds Current money of Virginia to her and her hiers for ever 7th. It is my will and desire that all the remainder part of my Slaves may be devided into five equal lots as near as possible so as not to seperate Man and wife and whereas it may be dificult to have every lot of equal value I desire that those that have an over proportion in the Division do pay as much money as shall make each persons part equal and to be devided amongst my wife and four children to wit James Robert Ann and Sarah Scotts and it is my further desire that my wife may have the first choice of the division of Slaves and I do desire and appoint my friends Joseph Scott Lemuel Jones Thomas Draper and Jordan Denson to make the Division of the same at any time when they may think it necessary 8th. all the remainder part of my estate both personal and real after my just debts are paid I give to be equally devided between my wife and five children (viz.t) Joseph James Robert Ann and Sarah Scotts 9th. Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my friends Joseph Scott and Jordan Denson to be Executors to this my last will and testament as witnesses my hand and seal this 20.th October 1774 Jam.s Jordan Scott (seal) Shadrach Lewis Jesse Council Tho.s Coffield [page break] [p.] 141 At a court held for the county of Southampton the 14.th December 1774 This Will was presented in court by Jordan Denson one of the executors therein named (the other executor refusing to act) and proved by the oaths of Shadrach Lewis Jesse Council and Tho.s Coffield the witnesses thereto and order'd to be recorded and on the motion and solemn affirmation of the said Executor, he being one of the people called quakers certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat thereof in due form giving Security &c Sam.l Kello Cl Southampton Co., VA, Will Book 3, 1772-1782, pp. 139-41 The Library of Virginia (LVA), Richmond, VA LVA, Southampton Co. Microfilm Reel 16 Additional information: Guardian accounts for his 4 minor children, with their guardian, James' widow Miriam SCOTT, Dec 1777 - Aug 1779, is recorded in Southampton Co. Guardians Accounts, 1771-1779, p. 86; file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/wills/s300j1gd.txt Division of the estate's slaves is recorded in Deed Book 6, pp. 570-71, and is noted in Court Order Book 1784-89, p. 213, 12 Oct 1786; file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/deeds/06db570.txt A 1788 account current of the estate of James Jordan SCOTT, with executor Jordan DENSON, is recorded in WB4:273-75; file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/wills/s300j1ac.txt James' widow Miriam emancipated her lot of slaves, 12 Feb 1789 (DB7:191; OB 1784-89:478); file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/deeds/07db191b.txt Miriam SCOTT left will 23 Feb 1797, proved 18 May 1818. Southampton Co. WB8:399-400; file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/wills/s300m1wl.txt [COFFIELD, COUNCIL, DENSON, DRAPER, JONES, LEWIS, PRETLOW, SCOTT] Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com) [brackets mine] file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/wills/s300j1wl.txt