1798 - Skinker to James - King George Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
04/05/1798
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I John Skinker of the County of King George knowing the uncertainty of life do make this my last will and testament as follows.
Imprimis I give to my nephew John Skinker Jun. all my several tracts of land and negroes (except such as I shall hereafter mention) in the County of King George to the said John Skinker Jun. and his heirs.
Item I give to my nephew William Skinker Jun’r and his heirs all my lands & negroes in the County of Fauquier.
Item Should either of my said nephews die before they come of age or have children to inherit their said estates my will is that the said estate go to the survivor, and should it so happen that both my said nephew die under age and without a child or children to inherit, I give the said lands and negroes to my brother William Skinker and his heirs forever, he paying to Caty and Salley Bowie one hundred and fifty pounds in three years from his taking possession of the said estate.
Item I devise that my executors dispose of all my furniture, sheep & hogs and the money arising to be applied to the payment of my debts.
Item My will is that miss Joanna Murdock have my gold watch, silver cup & [?rym?] & castor which I bought of her fathers estate she or he heirs paying my Executors their value in money or tobacco.
Item I devise my executors keep my whole estate together if they proper till all my debts are paid.
Item I give to Caty and Sally Bowie my nieces each two young negro girls not to exceed ten years of age, the said negroes to be taken out of my whole estate at the discretion of my executors.
October 26th 1790
Invoke the above clause
J. Skinker
Item After my debts are all paid I desire my mulatto fellow James have his freedom and a suit of clothes.
Item Should Ben. Betty or Joe ever be got again I desire they may be immediately sold.
Item I give Antony a negro now in the possession of my brother William Skinker to him and his heirs.
Lastly, I do hereby revoke all other wills by me heretofore made and do appoint my friend [?Cothos?] Jett, my brother Thomas Skinker, W. Jn Ashton Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 19th day of January 1784.
July 19th 1790 J. Skinker (seal)
John Gravatt
Jno. Tankersby
At a court held for King George County the 5th of April 1798
This last will and testament of John Skinker dec’d was presented into Court by John Skinker Jr. and the court being of the opinion that the same was altogether of the handwriting of the Testator it is ordered to be recorded, and on the motion John Skinker and William Skinker, administration with the same annexed is granted unto them who took the oath required by law and entered into bonds for them doing legal performance therein.
Test
Law. Berry C.C.
Imprimis I give to my nephew John Skinker Jun. all my several tracts of land and negroes (except such as I shall hereafter mention) in the County of King George to the said John Skinker Jun. and his heirs.
Item I give to my nephew William Skinker Jun’r and his heirs all my lands & negroes in the County of Fauquier.
Item Should either of my said nephews die before they come of age or have children to inherit their said estates my will is that the said estate go to the survivor, and should it so happen that both my said nephew die under age and without a child or children to inherit, I give the said lands and negroes to my brother William Skinker and his heirs forever, he paying to Caty and Salley Bowie one hundred and fifty pounds in three years from his taking possession of the said estate.
Item I devise that my executors dispose of all my furniture, sheep & hogs and the money arising to be applied to the payment of my debts.
Item My will is that miss Joanna Murdock have my gold watch, silver cup & [?rym?] & castor which I bought of her fathers estate she or he heirs paying my Executors their value in money or tobacco.
Item I devise my executors keep my whole estate together if they proper till all my debts are paid.
Item I give to Caty and Sally Bowie my nieces each two young negro girls not to exceed ten years of age, the said negroes to be taken out of my whole estate at the discretion of my executors.
October 26th 1790
Invoke the above clause
J. Skinker
Item After my debts are all paid I desire my mulatto fellow James have his freedom and a suit of clothes.
Item Should Ben. Betty or Joe ever be got again I desire they may be immediately sold.
Item I give Antony a negro now in the possession of my brother William Skinker to him and his heirs.
Lastly, I do hereby revoke all other wills by me heretofore made and do appoint my friend [?Cothos?] Jett, my brother Thomas Skinker, W. Jn Ashton Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 19th day of January 1784.
July 19th 1790 J. Skinker (seal)
John Gravatt
Jno. Tankersby
At a court held for King George County the 5th of April 1798
This last will and testament of John Skinker dec’d was presented into Court by John Skinker Jr. and the court being of the opinion that the same was altogether of the handwriting of the Testator it is ordered to be recorded, and on the motion John Skinker and William Skinker, administration with the same annexed is granted unto them who took the oath required by law and entered into bonds for them doing legal performance therein.
Test
Law. Berry C.C.
Document Type
Last Will & Testament
WB 2:219
Files
Collection
Citation
“1798 - Skinker to James - King George Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed June 17, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/3003.