SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY – WILL: JOHN LEWIS, 1784

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Will: John Lewis, Berkeley Parish, Spotsylvania Co, VA (1784)

IN THE NAME OF GOD amen I John Lewis of the Parish of Berkeley and county of 
Spotsylvania, gentleman, do make this my Last Will and Testament recommending my 
soul to God who gave it and my body to be decently buried.

First:  It is my will and desire that as much of my land shall be sold as is 
sufficient to pay my just debts and my Executors hereafter named are hereby 
empowered to sell the same and to and pass good and proper deed or deeds to the 
purchase or purchases for conveying the same in fee in file? and they are hereby 
further empowered to sell such part or parts thereof for that purpose as they 
shall judge most for the advantage of my estate.

Secondly, I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth two slaves Tobert Will? and Violet 
with their future increase to her & her heirs forever together with all my 
household & kitchen furniture and one half of all my horses cattle sheep & hogs.

Thirdly, I lend? to my beloved wife Elizabeth one half of my land that shall 
remain after my debts are paid and also the following slaves to wit: Tom, Nan, 
Charles, Easted, Suckey and Hannah for and during her natural life.

Forthly, all the rest of my estate together with the remainder or reversion of 
the land and slaves unto my wife I give & bequeath equally to be divided among 
all my children that are now born or that hereafter may be born to them and 
their heirs forever but in case any of my children die before they marry or come 
of age, then it is my will and desire that is heir or their part so dying shall 
be equally divided among the survivors.

Fifthly, I do hereby constitute and appoint Mr. August in Woodfolk of the county 
of Hanover guardian to my three children: Augustin Lewis, Ann Lewis and Betsy 
Lewis for and during their menority.

Sixtly, I do hereby constitute Col. Joseph Brock, M. August in Woodsfolk and 
Maj. Thomas Towles Executors of this my Last Will and Testament.

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this the seventh day 
of March Annoque Domini one thousand seven hundred & eighty four.

                                                       John Lewis  (seal)
Signed, sealed publish and
declared to be the Last Will
& Testament of John Lewis.

In presence of: 
T. Towle
M. Chew je

Source:  Library of Virginia,
Wills Book E, 1772-1798,
Spotsylvania County, VA,
Reel 28, pages 610-611

Note: Spelling is as appeared in the original.Paragraphing was added by the 
transcriber for ease in reading.