1793 - Davis to Lilly - Essex Co, VA
Manumission Item Data Item Type Metadata
Date
01/21/1793
Manumitter
Manumitted
Number of Persons
1
Text of Freedom Document
In the name of God Amen. I Hannah Davis of the County of Essex and Parish of Saint Anns, being sick & weak in body, but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, and calling to mind the frailty of this mortal life, do make & ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner as followeth making void all other wills formerly by me made.
Item I desire my negro girl Lilly may be bound to Clary Davis until she arrives to the age of eighteen years, at that age it is my desire that the said Lilly should go a free woman from the said Clary Davis and ever after be free from slavery and enjoy her freedom and liberty; all the rest of my estate I desire should be sold by my Exrs and after paying my just debts & funeral expenses, I give the whole of my estate then left to the said Lilly, provided she obtains her freedom, but if she should not obtain her freedom by this my will, then I give her the said Lilly with all my other estate unto the said Clary Davis and her heirs forever.
Lastly, I do constitute and appoint William Webb Sen’r & said Clary Davis Exos to this my last will and testament to see that the same be executed according to the true intent and meaning hereof as witness my hand and seal this 30th day of Oct’r 1792.
Signed and acknowledged Hannah Davis (seal)
in presence of us
John Gordon
Ben Hail Munday
At a court held for Essex County at Tappahannock on the 21st day of Jan’y 1793, this last will and testament of Hannah Davis was presented into court by William Webb one of the executors therein named, proved by John Gordon & Ben Hail Munday, the subscribing witnesses thereto and also by the oath of the said executor and ordered to be recorded. Whereupon a certificate was granted to the said William Webb in order to his obtaining probate of the said testament in due form, he having given bond according to law.
Teste, Jno. P. Lee Clk
Item I desire my negro girl Lilly may be bound to Clary Davis until she arrives to the age of eighteen years, at that age it is my desire that the said Lilly should go a free woman from the said Clary Davis and ever after be free from slavery and enjoy her freedom and liberty; all the rest of my estate I desire should be sold by my Exrs and after paying my just debts & funeral expenses, I give the whole of my estate then left to the said Lilly, provided she obtains her freedom, but if she should not obtain her freedom by this my will, then I give her the said Lilly with all my other estate unto the said Clary Davis and her heirs forever.
Lastly, I do constitute and appoint William Webb Sen’r & said Clary Davis Exos to this my last will and testament to see that the same be executed according to the true intent and meaning hereof as witness my hand and seal this 30th day of Oct’r 1792.
Signed and acknowledged Hannah Davis (seal)
in presence of us
John Gordon
Ben Hail Munday
At a court held for Essex County at Tappahannock on the 21st day of Jan’y 1793, this last will and testament of Hannah Davis was presented into court by William Webb one of the executors therein named, proved by John Gordon & Ben Hail Munday, the subscribing witnesses thereto and also by the oath of the said executor and ordered to be recorded. Whereupon a certificate was granted to the said William Webb in order to his obtaining probate of the said testament in due form, he having given bond according to law.
Teste, Jno. P. Lee Clk
Record Location
WB 15:15
Document Type
Will
Files
Collection
Citation
“1793 - Davis to Lilly - Essex Co, VA,” Manumission Project, accessed June 16, 2026, https://manumissionproject.omeka.net/items/show/3287.