1849 - Nicholas to Kezia & Mary - Dinwiddie Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
02/26/1849
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
2
Text of Freedom Document
I Robt C. Nicholas of the County of Dinwiddie do this 26th day of February 1846, in my own hand writing make ordain and constitute this to be my will and testament for the disposal of all my estate of every description after my death.
In the first place, I give to my wife Ann the plantation on which I now reside during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage, to her and my children now seven in number, to them and their heirs forever.
In the second place, I give to one of my slaves by name Kezia that I traded with my father for her freedom.
3rd I give to Mary the daughter of Kezia her freedom.
4th All the rest and residue of my estate as well real as personal that I may die possessed of, or, that may in any way hereafter become a part of my estate, I give to be equally divided, amongst or between my aforesaid wife and my seven children namely John, Robert, Horatio, George, Harriet, Gray and Ann my wife’s part or portion, during her life or widowhood only, and at her death or marriage to my children above named & their heirs forever.
Altho’ I have said above that I wish my property after my death divided among my family, that is to say my wife and children, I should greatly prefer that they hold it in common for the use of all, and that my wife and my two eldest sons have the power to dispose of any part of the property, real or personal (with their joint concurrence) that they may think will ultimately tend to the benefit of the family in general.
If it shall become necessary that some person qualify as executor or administrator on my estate, I hereby nominate my friends David May and John P. Crump Esq. Executors to this my last will and testament – one of whom I hope will act, at any rate, till one of my sons become of age, to who the administration as executor can then be transferred – in which case, it is my wish that he may not be held to give security.
Robt C Nicholas
At a court held for Dinwiddie County on the 16th day of October 1848. This writing, purporting to be the last will and testament of Robert C. Nicholas deceased, was produced in court, and there being no subscribing witness thereto, Nathaniel Wilson and Alexander Donnan were sworn and severally deposed that they are well acquainted with the testator’s hand writing, and verily believe the said writing and the name thereto subscribed, to be wholly written by the testator’s own hand thereupon, the said writing is ordered to be recorded as the true last will and testament of the said Robert C. Nicholas deceased – David May and John P. Crump Executors named in said will renounced their right to qualify as such which is ordered to be entered of record. At another court held for the said county on the19th day of March 1849. On the motion of John P. Nicholas who made oath, and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of twenty thousand dollars, conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the said decedents estate, with his will aforesaid annexed in due form.
Teste,
Jno P rump CC
In the first place, I give to my wife Ann the plantation on which I now reside during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage, to her and my children now seven in number, to them and their heirs forever.
In the second place, I give to one of my slaves by name Kezia that I traded with my father for her freedom.
3rd I give to Mary the daughter of Kezia her freedom.
4th All the rest and residue of my estate as well real as personal that I may die possessed of, or, that may in any way hereafter become a part of my estate, I give to be equally divided, amongst or between my aforesaid wife and my seven children namely John, Robert, Horatio, George, Harriet, Gray and Ann my wife’s part or portion, during her life or widowhood only, and at her death or marriage to my children above named & their heirs forever.
Altho’ I have said above that I wish my property after my death divided among my family, that is to say my wife and children, I should greatly prefer that they hold it in common for the use of all, and that my wife and my two eldest sons have the power to dispose of any part of the property, real or personal (with their joint concurrence) that they may think will ultimately tend to the benefit of the family in general.
If it shall become necessary that some person qualify as executor or administrator on my estate, I hereby nominate my friends David May and John P. Crump Esq. Executors to this my last will and testament – one of whom I hope will act, at any rate, till one of my sons become of age, to who the administration as executor can then be transferred – in which case, it is my wish that he may not be held to give security.
Robt C Nicholas
At a court held for Dinwiddie County on the 16th day of October 1848. This writing, purporting to be the last will and testament of Robert C. Nicholas deceased, was produced in court, and there being no subscribing witness thereto, Nathaniel Wilson and Alexander Donnan were sworn and severally deposed that they are well acquainted with the testator’s hand writing, and verily believe the said writing and the name thereto subscribed, to be wholly written by the testator’s own hand thereupon, the said writing is ordered to be recorded as the true last will and testament of the said Robert C. Nicholas deceased – David May and John P. Crump Executors named in said will renounced their right to qualify as such which is ordered to be entered of record. At another court held for the said county on the19th day of March 1849. On the motion of John P. Nicholas who made oath, and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of twenty thousand dollars, conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the said decedents estate, with his will aforesaid annexed in due form.
Teste,
Jno P rump CC
Record Location
WB 4:331
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
Files
Collection
Citation
“1849 - Nicholas to Kezia & Mary - Dinwiddie Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed January 15, 2025, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/1755.