1833 - Watson to Ben - Albemarle Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
08/05/1833
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I John Watson High Top of Albemarle County and State of Viriginia, being in declining age though of sound mind memory and under standing do through the mercy of a kind providence make and bequeath this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills made by me heretofore.
Item 1st After my just debts are paid I will that all my property real personal and every other sort and kind shall be sold or lotted as my children which I shall hereafter name may think best my man Ben encepted and equally divided amongst my four children namely Franky Watson, late Fanny Watson, Joab Watson, James Watson and William Watson to them or their lawful bodily heirs. Item 3 My will is Sally Watson, my son John Watson’s wife or her heirs shall have no part of my estate now in my possession in consequence of having given her heretofore as much or more than her proportion of my estate, but she shall keep and hold all I’ve given her or John Watson heretofore.
Item 3 I give Ison Watson, husband of my daughter Franky Watson, by deed two hundred acres of land at four dollars per acre and a milk cow at fifteen dollars all of which is to be considered in his lot, and if it be more than the balance of my property will divide equally amongst my other three children named in this. Item he Watson shall pay such overplus to my estate also James Watson had of use a cow at ten dollars which same is to be deducted from his part. Item 4 My will and special desire is that my man Ben shall have his choice to be free according to State of Virginia or choose his master whom he will be sold to and shall not be freed by my children or any other person to a home or man whom he is unwilling to serve. Furthermore, I wish my executor to attend strictly to this fourth item and have the unmolested right to dispose of Ben accordingly.
Item 5 I will that my old woman Sucky shall be sold to the highest or lowest bidder to any person whom she may be willing to serve, but not to be freed out of her choice, unless no person she makes choice of will buy her. Lastly I constitute and appoint Edmund I Thompson and Nathaniel Thomas Jr or either of them executors to this my last will and testament. Given under my hand and seal this 30th day of April eighteen hundred and thirty three.
John Watson (seal)
Witnesses
Nathaniel Thompson
Peter McColly
At a Court held for Albemarle County 5 August 1833
This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Watson (Hightop) was this day produced into Court and proved by the oaths of Nathl Thompson and Peter McColly, subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
A copy Teste
Ira Garrett, CC
Item 1st After my just debts are paid I will that all my property real personal and every other sort and kind shall be sold or lotted as my children which I shall hereafter name may think best my man Ben encepted and equally divided amongst my four children namely Franky Watson, late Fanny Watson, Joab Watson, James Watson and William Watson to them or their lawful bodily heirs. Item 3 My will is Sally Watson, my son John Watson’s wife or her heirs shall have no part of my estate now in my possession in consequence of having given her heretofore as much or more than her proportion of my estate, but she shall keep and hold all I’ve given her or John Watson heretofore.
Item 3 I give Ison Watson, husband of my daughter Franky Watson, by deed two hundred acres of land at four dollars per acre and a milk cow at fifteen dollars all of which is to be considered in his lot, and if it be more than the balance of my property will divide equally amongst my other three children named in this. Item he Watson shall pay such overplus to my estate also James Watson had of use a cow at ten dollars which same is to be deducted from his part. Item 4 My will and special desire is that my man Ben shall have his choice to be free according to State of Virginia or choose his master whom he will be sold to and shall not be freed by my children or any other person to a home or man whom he is unwilling to serve. Furthermore, I wish my executor to attend strictly to this fourth item and have the unmolested right to dispose of Ben accordingly.
Item 5 I will that my old woman Sucky shall be sold to the highest or lowest bidder to any person whom she may be willing to serve, but not to be freed out of her choice, unless no person she makes choice of will buy her. Lastly I constitute and appoint Edmund I Thompson and Nathaniel Thomas Jr or either of them executors to this my last will and testament. Given under my hand and seal this 30th day of April eighteen hundred and thirty three.
John Watson (seal)
Witnesses
Nathaniel Thompson
Peter McColly
At a Court held for Albemarle County 5 August 1833
This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Watson (Hightop) was this day produced into Court and proved by the oaths of Nathl Thompson and Peter McColly, subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
A copy Teste
Ira Garrett, CC
Record Location
Will Book 11, Pg 255-256
Document Type
LW&T
Files
Collection
Citation
“1833 - Watson to Ben - Albemarle Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed November 13, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/1297.