1807 - Cosby to William Barber, et al - Middlesex Co, VA

1807 - Cosby to William Barber, et al - Middlesex Co, VA

02/23/1807

5

I Overton Cosby of the Town of Urbanna in the County of Middlesex being sick and weak but of perfect mind, memory, and understanding do make this my last will and testament. That is to say I give and bequeath to my negro man William Barber, my mulatto man George, my negro woman Jenny, her daughter Nancy Lightfoot, and also her daughter Carthagena their freedom with all the rights, privileges, and immunities of slaves made free; agreeable to the several Acts of Assembly in that case made and provided. I give and bequeath unto William Graham once of this place but now of London, fifty pounds sterling as a small memorial of my affection for the best man I ever knew. I give and bequeath to James Ross of said place fifty pounds sterling to enable him to encounter the many difficulties he will meet with in the execution of this my will, but this is not to be taken as any proportion of the ample and liberal allowance which I wish to be made him for services in the execution of his executory trust. My will and desire is that fair statements be made; and as no pretext can be urged for postponement or delay, that the little I have a right to be may be collected. Under these circumstances after paying my just debts, any balance in the hands of my executors shall be appropriated to the following purposes. First, I give and bequeath to my nephew Fortunatus Cosby the debt he owes me, which money was advanced to enable him to prosecute his law studies. It is my desire that any further remainder may be divided into four parts. One fourth part I give to my nephew John Minor, one fourth part to Cleon Callis, son of my nephew William Callis; one fourth part to George Daniel Spratt son of the late Doctor Robert Spratt and the other fourth part to James Ross. Lastly I constitute and appoint my good friend James Gregorie of Charleston South Carolina, John Minor of the Town of Fredericksburg, and James Ross of Urbanna executed to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety four.
Signed and acknowledged by Overton Cosby (seal)
Overton Cosby as & for his last
will & testament in the presence
of us, who at his request and
in his presence have subscribed
our names as witnesses thereto
Staige Davis
Sam’l Blake
Chur’l Blackburn

At a court held for Middlesex County at the courthouse in Urbanna on Monday the 23rd day of February 1807. The last will and testament of Overton Cosby Esqre deceased was presented in court and proved by the oaths of Staige Davis and Samuel Blake, two of the witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. And John Minor and James Ross, two of the executors named in the said will having in open court relinquished their right of executorship, on the motion of said John Minor and James Ross, who made oath thereto and the said John Minor with Benjamin Botts, Hugh Mercer, Robert Patton and David C Kerr, his securities and said James Ross with John Quarles & William Robinson his securities entered into and acknowledged their separate bonds in the penalty of sixty thousand six hundred and sixty six dollars, each as the law directs, certificate is granted them for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of the said Overton Cosby deceased with his will annexed in due form.
Teste, Thomas Muse Ck
Truly recorded
Teste, Thomas Muse C.M.C.

WB 2:336

Last Will & Testament