Will of Richard Cotton - 1790 - Sussex Co., VA  
 
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Contributed by Russell L. Lawrence   ruslaw@techcom.net 
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Will of Richard Cotton - 1790 
(Will Book E, Page 1, Sussex Co.VA.) 
 
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Richard Cotton of the Parish of Albemarl in 
the County of Sussex being of perfect mind & memory thanks be to 
all mighty God for the same calling to mind the uncertainty of life 
& knowing that all flesh must Eald to death do make this my last Will 
and Testament in manner & form following. 
First I recommend my sole to allmighty God who gave it me trusting in 
merits of crucified Saviour for salvation as for setling what  
temporal estate it has pleased allmighty God to bestow upon me far 
above my disert I disspose in manner and form as followeth. 
Itum - I give to my daughter Salley Ivey one negro gal named Liddy to 
she and her heirs forever. 
Itum - I give to my son Seth Cotton a negro woman naimd Tab & thirty 
pounds cash 1 feather bed and blanket to him and his heirs for ever. 
Itum - I give to my sone Haris Cotton one negro woman namd Aniche and 
the upper part of my black swamp land formily the part that was  
Howell Jarratts and half the benifit of the orchard on the place, 
whar he now lives, till he can rase one to him and his heirs forever. 
Item - I give to my daughter Rebecar Mangum one negro woman nam'd  
pender during her life and at her death to hur eldres sone Zecheriah 
to him and his heirs for ever. 
Item - I give to my sone Archebel Cotton one negro man namd Will and 
seventy pounds gold or silver one sow and pigs 6 barrels corn three 
hundred pounds of pork one ax 1 hoe one pot and one frying pan one 
pale fore sheaps & one feather bed & ferniture all which I give to 
him and his heirs forever. 
Itum - I give to my sone Carey Cotton the plantation whereon I now 
live and all my lands that belong to the tract one negro boy named 
Lewis to him and his heirs forever. 
Item - I give to my daughter Jiney Cook one negro gal Lucy during her 
life and at her death to her daughter Elizabeth Cook to her and her 
heirs for ever. 
Itum - I give to my sone Weaver Cotton the lower part of my land on 
the black swamp being the part where Faddey Jarratt formerly lived 
also one negro boy named Gabrel one horse bridle & saddle to him and 
his heirs forever. 
Itum - My Will and desire is that after my just debts & leggiceys is 
paid that all the remainder part of my estate of what kind or 
denominations whatsoever to be equally divided between my three sons 
Archabal, Carey & Weaver Cotton by 2 good honest men to be chose'd 
fer that purpose by my Executors. 
Lastly I do constitute and appoint my loveing sons Carey and Archebal 
Cotton my hole and sole executors of this my last Will and Testament 
hereby revoking & anulling all other Wills heretofore maid and 
acknowledging this fer my last Will and Testament in witness I have 
set my hand & seal this twenteth forth day of May one thousand seven 
hundred and eighty six. 
 
Richard Cotton   (Seal) 
 
Signed sealed & acknowledged for his last Will and Testament in the 
presents of} 
Law. Smith 
Jesse Ivey 
 
 
At a Court held for Sussex County the 7th day of January 1790. 
The last Will and Testament of Richard Cotton decd. was exhibited  
into Court by Cary and Archebald Cotton the Executors therein named 
was proved by the oaths of Lawrence Smith and Jesse Ivey the  
Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on motion of said 
Executors who made oath thereto and gave bond as the law directs 
certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due 
form. 
 
Teste- 
M. Bailey  Ct. Cur. 
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Submitted by Russell L. Lawrence   ruslaw@techcom.net