Thomas Russell Will 1783

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     In the name of God amen, I Thomas Russell of the City of 
Williamsburg being of sound mind & memory do make this my last will and 
Testament in manner following.  First: My desire is, that all my just 
debts be fully paid & satisfied.  Item, I give my sister Hannah Dunn 
widow of Samuel Dunn my Negro man slave named Tom during her natural 
life and after her decease, my is that the said Negro Tom be sold and 
the money arising from the sale thereof equally divided among her 
children then living.
Item:I give to my nephew, John Russell, son of Hinde Russell my watch 
and desk.
I give to my Brother, Hinde Russell my Negro man slave named Wall alias 
Rosemary upon his paying to my Brother, William, the sum of twenty- 
five pounds (?) within twelve months of my decease.
I give to my Brothers, Hinde and William Russell all my wearing apparel 
to be equally divided between them.  I give to my Brother, Hinde 
Russell, my Bay mare & her increase upon his paying to my Brother, 
William one third part of the appraised value and to the children of 
John Dunn to be equally divided among them, one other third part of the 
appraised value of said mare and her increase within six months after 
my decease which appraisment I desire may be made by such I desire that 
my black horse may be appraised by such person as may be chosen by my 
Brothers Hinde & William and one third of such appraisment paid to the 
children of John Dunn to be equally divided amongst them & one third my 
Brother, William retain the Horse as his property with the saddle and 
bridle, upon his paying the said two thirds of the appraised value as 
above mentioned within six months after my death.
My will is further, that in case my Executors herein after named shall 
be able to collect the money due me from the United States or the State 
of Virginia, that then it is my desire that they pay to Mrs. Mary 
Winphrey the sum of forty pounds for the purpose of procuring her a 
good double chair & harness for one Horse.  All the rest and residue of 
my estate of whatever nature or kind so ever not before disposed of I 
give to my Brothers Hinde and William each one third & to the children 
of Mr. John Dunn one third part to be equally divided amongst them.  
And lastly I do appoint my Brothers Hinde and William Russell Executors 
to this my last will & Testament.
      In Witness where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed my 
seal this twenty first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand 
seven hundred and eighty two - (Note)  The words "not before desposed 
of" inserted before signed:
Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the Testator as & for his 
last will of Testament in presence of :                                                                   
Thomas Russell

George Chamberlaine
John Carter
William Carter

At a court held for York County the 16th day of June 1783.  This Will 
was proved according to Law by the oath of William Carter (?) a witness 
thereto and ordered to be recorded.  And on the motion of William 
Russell one of the Executors therein named who made oath thereto and 
together with William Ramsay his security entered into and acknowledged 
bond as the law directs.  Certificate was granted him for attaining a 
Probate in due form.  Liberty being reserved for Hinde Russell the 
other Executor in the said Will named to join in the probate when he 
think fit.
                                                                                      
Teste: William Russell D.C.Y.C.
                      Copy Test.  Sam Sheild        C.Y.C



Information taken from Robinson Family Papers found at The Virginia 
Historical Society in Richmond, Virginia.
MsslR5685d 24-33