1792 - Clarke to Lucy, et al - Charles City County, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
05/15/1792
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
4
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I William Clarke of the County Charles City being sick and weak of body, but of perfect sense and memory, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, and touching such worldly estate as it is pleased God to bless me with, I give and desire in the manner and form following to wit:
Imprimis: I give and bequeath to my loving wife Ann Clarke my land & plantation whereon I now live, also I give to my said wife Lucy, Charles, Jenny, & Rhoda together with all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs & sheep together with my household and kitchen furniture, all the above to her during her life. I give to William Clarke , son of my brother Edward Clarke, after the death of my wife the above mentioned plantation to him & his heirs forever. My desire is that the above mentioned negroes as they arrive of lawful age (after my wife’s death) shall have their freedom, and if the said Charles should not be of age at my wife’s death, my desire is that my brother Edward Clarke have the said Charles until he arrives to the age of twenty one years, also my desire is that if the said Jenny & Rhoda should not be of age at my wife’s death that Benjamin Leonard have the said Jenny & Rhoda until they arrive to the age of twenty one years. My desire is that my negro woman Rachel be sold for the payment of my debts. Also my desire is that at my wife’s death all my estate except land and negroes to be divided between my sisters Sarah Bonney and Elizabeth Leonard daughter of Benjamin Leonard. Lastly I appoint my wife Ann Clarke and John Christian Executrix and Executors of this my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this the fifteenth day of May 1792.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged William Clarke (seal)
in presence of
Will. Parrish Sen.
Francis Leonard
John Bowry
At a quarterly court held for Charles City County at the courthouse on Thursday the 16th day of August 1792.
The aforewritten last will and testament of Wm. Clarke dec’d was proved by the oaths of William Parrish senior, Francis Leonard & John Bowry the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Ann Clarke & John Christian the Executrix and Executor therein named who made oath as the law directs and together with John Bowry and Benjamin Leonard their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of six hundred pounds conditioned as the law directs. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate in due form.
Teste, Otway Byrd C.C.
Imprimis: I give and bequeath to my loving wife Ann Clarke my land & plantation whereon I now live, also I give to my said wife Lucy, Charles, Jenny, & Rhoda together with all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs & sheep together with my household and kitchen furniture, all the above to her during her life. I give to William Clarke , son of my brother Edward Clarke, after the death of my wife the above mentioned plantation to him & his heirs forever. My desire is that the above mentioned negroes as they arrive of lawful age (after my wife’s death) shall have their freedom, and if the said Charles should not be of age at my wife’s death, my desire is that my brother Edward Clarke have the said Charles until he arrives to the age of twenty one years, also my desire is that if the said Jenny & Rhoda should not be of age at my wife’s death that Benjamin Leonard have the said Jenny & Rhoda until they arrive to the age of twenty one years. My desire is that my negro woman Rachel be sold for the payment of my debts. Also my desire is that at my wife’s death all my estate except land and negroes to be divided between my sisters Sarah Bonney and Elizabeth Leonard daughter of Benjamin Leonard. Lastly I appoint my wife Ann Clarke and John Christian Executrix and Executors of this my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this the fifteenth day of May 1792.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged William Clarke (seal)
in presence of
Will. Parrish Sen.
Francis Leonard
John Bowry
At a quarterly court held for Charles City County at the courthouse on Thursday the 16th day of August 1792.
The aforewritten last will and testament of Wm. Clarke dec’d was proved by the oaths of William Parrish senior, Francis Leonard & John Bowry the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Ann Clarke & John Christian the Executrix and Executor therein named who made oath as the law directs and together with John Bowry and Benjamin Leonard their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of six hundred pounds conditioned as the law directs. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate in due form.
Teste, Otway Byrd C.C.
Record Location
WB 1, pg 108
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Files
Collection
Citation
“1792 - Clarke to Lucy, et al - Charles City County, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed November 13, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/1437.