1786 - Gray to Will, et al - Essex Co, VA

1786 - Gray to Will, et al - Essex Co, VA

06/19/1786

2

In the name of God Amen I William Gray of the County of Essex Being in perfect Sence and memory do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament Revoking all other wills heretofore made in manner and form following first all my Just debts to be paid out of my Estate then what worldly goods it has been please god to bless me with. I give and bequeath as follows Item, I lend my loving wife Ann the Land and plantation whereon I now live also the following Negroes during her Life Viz, Ben, Violet, Rachel, Seney, Davey, Cloe, Little Davey, Rhoda, and young Violet. Reserving to old Ben, after he is Fifty years old his Freedom and it is my will that then the said Negro Ben shall be free from her my said wife and Every other person whatever. Item, I lend my Loving wife Ann all my Stock of Horses, except my Gray Mare, all my Cattle and hogs, also all my houshold Furniture During her Life, and at her death the Negroes and their increase (Except young Davey and young Violet) to Equally be divided amongst my Seven Children hereafter Named, to them and their heirs forever, William, John, Andrew, Philip, Rosanner, Elizabeth and Martha Gray But if Either of them Shall die before they Come of Age or marries then the Survivers to divide the Negros and their increase and all the Personal Estate that I lent my wife, Except the Two Negroes above Excessed, Item I give unto my Son William Gray my Negroes Caleb, Beck, and young Davey, and their increase for Ever. Which Negros is to continue in the hands of my Executers till he my said Son William Shall Discharge a bond due to Thomas Faver in which I am his Security. Item I give unto my Son John Gray my Negros, Tom, Moll, and Dido, and their Increase for Ever.
Will Book 14, page 29
Item I give unto my Daughter Rosanner Gray my Negros, Cook Hagar and Moses, and their increase forever. Item I Give unto my Daughter Elizabeth Gray my Negros Essex, Esther, Edney and young Cloe and their Increase for Ever. Also my Gray Mare and her Increase for ever Item I give unto my Son Andrew Gray my Negros, Manzor, Milley and young Vilot and their Increase for Ever. Item I give unto my Daughter Martha Gray my Negros Ralph, Sarah and young Ben and their increase for Ever. Item I give unto my Son Philip Gray after the death of his mother the Land and plantation lent During her Life to him my said Son Philip Gray and his heirs for Ever. Also I give unto my son Philip Gray my Negros, Culpeper, Judith, Fredrick and Edmund and their increase for Ever. my will and desire is that my Negro Man Will be set free immediately after my death, But if any of my above named Children Shall die before they come of age or is married then their parts to be Equally Divided amongst the Survivers. Lastly I appoint my loving wife Ann Gray my Sons John & Andrew Grya, and my friend Thomas Faver my Executrix and Executors of this my Last will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my Seal the 11th day of February 1786.
Wm Gray Ser {Seal}
Signed & Sealed
in Presence of
Mark Andrews
Richard Faver
his
James X Davis
Mark

At a Court held for Essex County at Tappahannock on the 19th day of June 1786 This last Will and Testament of William Gray Senr deceased was offered to proof by John Gray an Executor therein named who made oath thereto according to Law and the same being also proved by Mark Andrews and Richard Faver two of the witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded.
Test.
Hancock Lee Clk

WB 14:28

Will