Will of James Hardwick, Westmoreland County, Virginia
Dated 7 Feb. 1698 (old calendar), 1699 (new calendar)

In the name of God amen I James Hardwick of the County of
Westmoreland in the parish of Coplye being sick and weak in body, 
but of sound & perfect memory doe make this my last will & testament 
in manner and forms as following.
First I give and bequeath my soule to God that gave it me hoping
through the meritts of my redeemer, that I shall receive eternall 
life & my body to the earth from whence it came to be decently 
buried according to ye description of my executor hereafter named 
and as for such worldly goods as God of his Mercy hath been pleased 
to lend me, I go give and bequeath in manner and form as following.
I give and bequeath unto my son William Hardwick the land and
plantation whereon I now live, to him and his heirs forever. 2nd, I 
give and bequeath Unto my son Joseph Hardwick the plantation that I 
formerly bought of Richard Sturman and half the tract joining to the 
plantation, I give to him and his heirs forever and all my wearing 
apparel 3rd, I give and bequeath Unto my daughter Eliz Lydia 
Hardwick the other half of that tract that I formerly bought of 
Richard Sturman. To her and her heirs forever. Likewise, I give to 
my daughter Lydia, my gold ring, my silver caudle cup and my silver 
spoon. 4th I give and bequeath Unto my son Joseph Hardwick my silver 
hilted sword and belt that was given me by Captain William Hardwick 
and that he shall be free immediately after my decease and receive 
the rent of his said planation for to maintain him, till he comes to 
the age of fourteen, then to take his land and his estate to his 
possession. 5th I doe give and bequeath To my wife's daughter Anne 
one shilling in full of my whole estate. 6th My will is that My 
daughter Lydia Hardwick be and remain with my son William Hardwick 
till she comes to the age fourteen, then to be free and have full 
power to take her estate into her own possesion. 7th my will is that
My whole personal estate, that hath not been yet divided, between my 
son William Hardwick, my wife Ann Hardwick and Joseph Hardwick and 
Lydia Hardwick and Thomas Hardwick and James Hardwick. 8th My will 
is that My brother Joseph Hardwick, Henrys Asbury, John Wright and
Benjamin Blanchflower doe equally divide the above said land between 
my son Joseph Hardwick and my daughter Lydia Hardwick as soon as 
they shall think fit and that they will be pleased to take and [sic] 
inventory of my whole estate immediately after my decease. 9th I do 
nominate ?(ma-er) ordain and appoint my son William Hardwick, 
executor of this my last will and testament and he prove this my 
last will and testament. In witness, hereunto, I have, hereunto 
subscribed my name and affixed my seal, this 7 day of February 1698

/s/ James Hardwick /seal/
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us
/s/ Tho. Thompson, Charles Smith, Temp. Blanchflower
Westmoreland County, Virginia, Teste

At a court held for said County the 30th day of March 1698 (old
calendar), 1699 (new calendar). The last will and testament of James 
Hardwick above named was this day proved by the oaths of Thomas 
Thompson and Charles Smith. Witnesses, thereto, and a probate 
thereof granted to William Hardwick, Executor, therein named and the 
will ordered to be recorded.

Teste

/s/ James Westcomb C.W.C. (Clerk Westmoreland County)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Twylla Teer 
edteer@bellsouth.net

USGENWEB NOTICE:  In keeping with our policy of providing free 
information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-
commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied 
material AND permission is obtained from the CONTRIBUTOR of the 
file. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for 
profit or other presentation.