1800 - Alexander to George, et al - Surry Co, VA

1800 - Alexander to George, et al - Surry Co, VA

08/26/1800

In the name of God Amen. I Mary Alexander of the county of Surry, being sick and weak in body but of a sound memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows that is to say.
First, I give to my niece Sally Edwards the first choice of a feather bed and furniture, five pewter dishes and six pewter plates to her and her heirs and assigns forever.
I lend to my sister Mourning Edwards the houses and all the land adjoining the was formerly my husbands during her natural life, and after her death, I give the said land with the appurtenances there unto belonging to my nephew James Edwards to him, his heirs, and assigns forever.
I lend to sister Mourning Edwards five pewter dishes, six pewter plates, six hard metal pewter spoons, two pewter basins, two cows and calves, the first choice, the sorrel mare called Flip, one black walnut table, and five of the best chairs, also the sum of fifteen pounds cash, and after her death, what shall then be in being, it is my will and desire that it may be sold by my executors and equally divided among my nephew and his nieces hereafter named, and all the negroes hereafter named that is to say James Edward, Hardwick Hunnicutt, Anna Wright wife of John Wright, Elizabeth Williams wife of John Williams, Sally Edwards, and negro George, Lucy, Bob, Qually, Daphne, Dick and Dick (commonly called little Dick_ also Sam, Jenny, Mima, Lucy (the younger), Nancy, Moses, and Eliza.
It is my will and desire and I do by this my last will and testament liberate and set free from slavery the following negroes, to wit, George about forty two years of age, Lucy about forty four years of age, Bob about twenty five years of age, Daphney about twenty five years of age, Qually about twenty two years of age, Dick about nineteen years of age, little Dick about nineteen years of age, Jenny about fifteen years of age, Sam about ten years of age, Mima about eight years of age, Nancy about eight years of age, Moses about six years of age, Lucy (the younger) about eight years of age, and Eliza about three years, as fully and freely as if they had been born so. I give to Rebecca Clarke, Samuel Clarke, Sally Clarke, and Henry Clarke, children of Jesse Clarke, to be paid to them by my executors as they arrive to full age the sum of fifteen pounds cash each.
It is my will and desire that all the remainder of my state, both real and personal that hath not been heretofore given away be sold by my executors and the money arising therefrom after all my just debts, legacies and funeral expenses are paid be equally divided among Mourning Edwards (if she be then living), James Edwards, Hartwell Hunnicutt, Anne Wright, Elizabeth Williams, Sally Edwards, and negroes George, Lucy, Bob, Daphney, Qually, Dick, little Dick, Jenny, Sam, Mima, Lucy (the younger), Nancy, Moses, and Eliza.
It is my will and desire and I do hereby direct that all that part of my estate given to the negroes now under the age of twenty one years, to wit, Dick, little Dick, Jenny, Sam, Mima (the younger), Nancy, Moses, and Eliza be retained in the hands of my executors for the purpose of indemnifying the parish until they shall severally arrive to such age and on the arrival of each of them to such age my executors shall pay to each person so aged his or her proportion then remaining in their hands – but in case any of the aforesaid infant negroes should die before they arrive to such age in that case my will and desire is that his, her or their parts shall be equally divided among the aforesaid Mourning Edwards (if she be then living), James Edwards, Hartwell Hunnicutt, Anne Wright, Elizabeth Williams, Sally Edwards and negroes George, Lucy, Bob, Daphney, Qually and such of the infant negroes as may survive the said age of twenty one years.
I do hereby constitute and appoint Hartwell Hunnicutt, James Edwards, John Williams, Henry Bradford, and William Salter my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this tenth day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged Mary Alexander (seal)
in presence of
Will Boyce
Henry Crafford
Margaret Moore

At a court of quarter session held for Surry County August the 26th 1800
The within written last will and testament of Mary Alexander deceased was presented in court by Hartwell Hunnicutt, James Edwards, and John Williams three of the executors therein named, and the same being proved by the oaths of William Boyce and Henry Crafford two of the witnesses thereto, was by the court ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said executors who made oath and gave bond with Henry Crafford, Hartwell Hart, and William Wilson their securities in the penal sum of ten thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs, whereupon certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form. Henry Crafford being nominated executor of the said will, came personally into court and refused to take upon himself the burden of the execution thereof, and on the motion of the said executors the same is also ordered to be recorded.
Teste, Jacob Faulcon C.S.C.

WB 1:447

Last Will & Testament

same individuals mentioned in Deed Book 2:1 - manumitted individuals to receive a portion of estate as inheritance