1831 - Thomas Ford to sundry slaves - Prince Edward Co, VA

1831 - Thomas Ford to sundry slaves - Prince Edward Co, VA

11/22/1831

I Thomas Ford of the County of Charlotte, is weak in body, but in my perfect sense. I first request my body to buried in a Kriston [sic] like manner, then I do appoint Robert Nelson my [illegible] and sole Executor then I request for all my just debts to be paid first. I request that the whole of my land which is about five hundred and sixty five acres, it being the land where I now live, and all the [illegible] to be sold to the highest bidder, one half to be paid down, the other half twelve months credit, and I request that all y household and kitchen furniture and all my stock horses and cattle, and of every description, to be sold and all my crop of corn, tobacco, wheat, oats to be sold and the money arisen from the land and the above articles to go to pay my just debts & the balance arising after paying my just debts return to the [?ginmant clock?]. Now I set my negroes free that is, that they are to be sent to the free state by my Executors, their names is Tony, Mary, Jim, Jessy, [?Rilento?], Shadrick, George, Ben, Tull, Fearn, Lucy, [?Mourning?], Becky, Nelson, [?Jany?], Daniel and it is my request that William a free child that my Tony had, by a free woman, may go also with his father, Tony. Now after all my debts is paid, the above named negroes must have a sufficient quantity of money out of my genial stock, after paying my debts, as will carry them to the free states. Now if [?Jany?] an old negro about nearly seventy years of age, her name is above mentioned, should and be able to go with the rest, she is to have in or of to separate her well of my general stock, that be if she says she can to go with the rest, if she can go she must with the rest. Now this is my last will and testimony. I request my [illegible] and the [illegible] how purchase it may come before, may see that my last request may be complied with. Now if there is any money required for the above negroes support at first when they get to the free state, they are to have it out of my general stock, and after all my above requests is complied with, then I give to my brother Hezekiah Ford, one third part of the money that remains in my general stock, after all the above stated money and expenses is paid, or any other that may occur, that is reasonable or lawful towards the above negroes being carried to the free state and not before. Then I give to my sister Elizabeth Jones one fourth part of the money that will remain in my general stock after my above requests is complied with. Then I give to my sister Rebecca Jones one fourth part of the balance that will remain in my general stock after all my above requests is complied with and not before. Then I give to my sister Sally Adams and to all my brother Abner Ford’s children the balance of any in my general stock after all my above requests is settled to be divided between said Sally & Abner’s children. As witness my hand this 18th day of April 1821.
Thomas Ford
Entered before [illegible]
At a court held for Prince Edward County, November the 22nd 1831. This writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Thomas Ford dec’d was presented in court [illegible] and approved by Hezekiah Ford, and there being no witnesses to the said writing Thomas L Richardson was sworn and said he was well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Thomas Ford dec’d, that the whole of the hand writing with the signature is the hand writing of the said Thomas Ford, and Robert Thornton’s testimony, which proves that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Thomas Ford, having had an opportunity of being so for more than thirty years, that he hesitates not, to say as his opinion that the said writing is throughout the hand writing of the said Ford. Ordered that the said writing be recorded as the last will and testament of said Thomas Ford dec’d. At a court held for said county the 15th day of September 1834, on the motion of Culvanian Ford, administrator with the will annexed is granted him, thereupon he with Hezekiah Ford, Thomas G Ford and John Buster his securities entered into and acknowledged that bond for the purpose in the penalty of three thousand dollars, conditioned according to law & took the oath required by law, certificate for obtaining letters of admin with the will annexed in due form is granted him.
Teste, W Worsham CC

WB 7:330

Last Will & Testament