WILL OF JOHN BROWN - 1770


The original of this will can be found at the Montross Court House in
Westmoreland County Virginia.  Deeds & Will Book 15, pages 177 & 178.


John Brown's Will:  In the name of god amen the 14th day of May in the year

of our lord god 1770  I JOHN BROWN of the County of Westmoreland being very

sick and weak of Body but of perfect mind & memory  Thanks be given unto god

therefore calling into mind the Mortality of my body and knowing it is

appointed for all Men once to Die do make and ordain this my last Will and

Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I give and Recommend my 

soul into the hands of god that gave it and for my body I Commend it to the

Earth to be Buried in a Christian like and decent Manner at the discretion

of my Executors, and as Touching wordly Estate wherewith it hath pleased god

to bless me in this Life  I give, devise and dispose of the same in the 

following manner and form.  Item I give unto my SON WILLIAM BROWN the land 

that fell to me by the Death of WILLIAM FRYER dec.d to him and his Heirs

Lawfully begotten forever.  Item I give to my SON WILLIAM BROWN one Negro 

Man named Jack to him and his Heirs lawfully begotten forever, likewise I 

give to my SON WILLIAM BROWN all the stock and Household Furniture that he

has in possession that come by the Death of WILLIAM FRYER dec.d  Item I give

to my SON JOHN BROWN the plantation and Tract of Land that I now live on to

him and his Heirs lawfully begotten forever.  Likewise I give to my SON

JOHN BROWN the Land I bought of George Jessen? to him and his Heirs Lawfully

begotten forever  I give to my SON JOHN BROWN One Negro Girl named Rose to

him and his Heirs forever likewise one Negro Boy nammed Daniel to him and his 

Heirs forever.  I give to my SON JOHN BROWN One grey breeding mare to him and

his Heirs forever.  Likewise I give to my SON JOHN BROWN one Saddell Horse 

with a blaze Face to him and his Heirs forever:  I give to my SON JOHN BROWN

Four Cows and Calves of his choice to him and his Heirs forever:  I give to

my SON JOHN BROWN one Desk I bought at Purtrss? Sale, the largest Oval Table

and the largest Looking glass to him and his Heirs forever  Item I give to

my DAUGHTER PRISCILAS BROWN One Negro Man named Adam likewise one Negro Boy

named Orange?.  Likewise I give her one Feather Bed and Furniture The second

choice to her and her Heirs Lawfully begotten forever.  I have the Land 

whereone WITTINGTON McKENNY now live to be sold to pay debts with  Likewise

I leave unto my SON JOHN BROWN & my SEVEN DAUGHTERS that is still a living 

the remainder of my Estate which consists of Slaves, Stock and Household

Furniture and all Debts due me to be Equally divided amongst theme after my

Debts being paid first  I leave WILLIAM BROWN & MY SON JOHN BROWN to this

Will my Executors - The Negro Boy Orange interlisted??

Signed & Acknowledged in presents us:

GERARD Hutt?

WILLIAM ROBINSON Dozer.?                   JOHN BROWN  (Seal)


In a Court Held for Westmoreland County the 31st day of December 1771 This

Will was proved according to Law by the oaths of Gerard Hutt? and William 

Robinson Dozer.?  The will was ordered to be recorded and certificate granted

for obtaining a probate of the Estate.  

Note:  Son John Brown was not present at this date in court. 
This will was written in a beautiful handwriting.
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