SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY – WILL: THOMAS RAWLINGS, 1786

Contributed by: Von Mings Stachon, vonstac@comcast.net 

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Will: Thomas Rawlings, Berkeley Parish, Spotsylvania Co, VA (1786)

IN THE NAME of God amen I Thomas Rawlings of Berkeley Parish in the County of
Spotsylvania being of sound mind & memory but considering the uncertainty of 
life doth hereby make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament and hereby 
revoking all others.

Whereas by my Father's will I am intitled to a moiety of the land on which he 
lived after my Mother's death, the will and desire is that all my right & title 
to the same be delivered over & given to my brother Benjamin Rawlings his heirs 
and assigns forever and I do by these presents bequeath the same to him and his 
foresaid in as full and ample a manner as if the same was now in my immediate 
possession provided always that my said brother shall discharge all my lawfull 
debts in the first place.

And whereas I am intitled to a one third part of sundry negroes, stocks 
furniture & by the same will after my mother's death, it is my will & desire 
that the same be given and delivered unto my brother Benjamin Rawlings to hold 
the same as his own proper right, as I do hereby give the same to him & his 
heirs or assigns in as full and ample a manner as if the same property was now 
in my actual possession provided that my said brother do give up and deliver 
over unto my sister Rebeccah Rawlings one good feather bed and furniture or the 
value thereof in specie?, & I do hereby appoint Lewis Holliday and Benjamin 
Rawlings Executors of this my Will.

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 5th day of April 
1786.

                                                      Thomas Rawlings (seal)
Signed sealed and delivered
in our presence:                                      Thomas Rawlings (seal)
Z. Lewis
Robert Hart
Joseph Holliday Jr

Source: Library of Virginia,
Wills Book E, 1772-1798,
Spotsylvania County, VA,
Reel 28, page 861 

Note: Spelling is as shown on original.  Paragraphing added by transcriber for 
ease in reading.  There are no paragraphs in the original.

Note:  Thomas Rawlings signature appeared twice as shown.
Our current dictionary defines moiety as 1) a half; one of two equal parts; as a 
moiety of an estate of goods or of profits; 2) an indefinite share or part.