Sussex Co., Virginia - John Wren Will ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ Contributed by Christie Canfield **************************************************************** In the name of God Amen I John Wren of Sussex County and State of Virginia being of sound disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit First I give my Soul to God and my body to its Mother dust and touching such worldly goods as it hath pleased my Creator to bless me with I dispose of the same as followeth Item 1st I give and bequeath to Richard B Grigg my Negro Man, Nathan for the love and regard I have for the said Richd B Grigg to him and his heirs forever. Item 2nd I lend and bequeath to Margarett Hogwood the house I lived in and one half of the Land I now live on But if said Margarett Hogwood intermarrys or Takes any man to live with her, she is to remove and forfeit said land Item 3rd I lend to my Negro Man Tom during his life for his benefit and support the other half of my land I now live on and one of the houses thereon and wish him to reside on it during his life and enjoy the benefit of the Land and at his death and Margarette Hogwood's I wish ???? to be sold and be considered my Estate as I shall hereafter direct. Item 4th The tract of land on Capt. Seaborn's on Massenberg's Mill Swamp called the poplar and a small tract also on the North Limb of the Popplar that I purchased of Cary Mosely's heirs to be sold by my executor and used as Personal Estate. Item 5th If the above two tracks of land and my perishable property is not sufficient to pay my just debts my Executor shall sell such other as he may think fit Item 6 I wish my executor to retain enough in his hands to give to my old Negro Woman Molly twenty dollars pr year as long as she lives out of my estate. Item 7 All the balance and residue of my Estate both real and personal I wish equally divided between the Kins of Ann Marich Chappells lawful heirs of her body to them and their heirs forever. Item 8th I constitute and appoint my friend Richd B Grigg Executor to this my last Will and Testament. As Witness my hand and seal this 15th February One thousand Eight hundred and forty One Signed and sealed & Acknowledged in presents } John Wren (Seal) of Jno E. Stewart John H. Balle Benjamin Seaborn I John Wrenn of the County of Sussex Virginia wishing to make an alteration in my last Will as respects my Servants Tom & Molly do make this Codicil. to wit. I wish my Servant Tom & Molley to live on my Mosely Tract of land and enjoy the benefit of their labour. Tom to give to his Mother Molley Twenty Dollars pryear during their lives. And at their deaths to go as directed in my will. And I appoint R.B Grigg my agent after my death & Trustee for my said Servants and attend to the Same. As Witness my hand & seal this 5 October 1843 Witness John Wrenn (Seal) R H Mason Frs E. Wolstrom? J R. Gilliam At a Court held for Sussex County the 1st day of August 1844 The last Will and Testament of John Wrenn deceased was presented into Court. The said Will was proved by the oaths of John E. Stewart John H. Balle and Benjamin Souborn the witnesses thereto And the Codicil was proved by the oaths of RH Mason and J. R. Gilliam two of the witnesses thereto and the said Will and Codicil ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Richard B. Grigg the Executor Therein named who made oath and entered into bond with security according to law Certificate is granted him in due form for obtaining a probat Thereof in due form Wherefrom James H. Chappell who contested the probate of the said Will framed an appeal to Circuit Superior Court of Land and C????ing for Sussex County which is granted him Examd Teste L. Lanier C C Sussex County VA Will Book O, pgs 173-174 FHLC #34161