1785 - Terry to Sarah Martain - Pittsylvania Co, VA

1785 - Terry to Sarah Martain - Pittsylvania Co, VA

12/19/1785

1

In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Terry of the County of Pittsylvania being at present of a sound and disposing memory and in health of body, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal life and the necessity of setting my House in order before my death, do hereby make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament. First I do humbly recommend my soul into the hands of God my maker hoping for pardon of all my sons through the manifold mercies of God my maker through the merits of Christ my Redeemer and my Body I resign to the Dust to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors. And as touching what Worldly Estate I have been blessed with I give and dispose thereof as followeth. Item I give to my son David Terry one Negro woman named Kate (and her issue] which he has been possessed with some time and one named Sarah and her issue hereafter to him and his heirs forever. Item I lend to my son Thomas Terry one Negro named Peter and one named Suzy and her issue also one Mulatto boy named Harry during his and his wifes natural life and after their death to be equally divided among their children and their heirs forever. Item I lend to my Son Joseph Terry one Negro man which he has in possession likewise one Negro boy named Jack and girl named Grace and her increase during his and his wifes natural life then to be equally divided among their children and their heirs for ever. Item I give to my daughter Anna Barksdale one Negro Woman named Zilpha and one Mulato girl named Anna to her and her heirs for ever. Item I also give to my daughter Anna Barksdale one Mulatto woman named Sarah maintain for the term of six years and then she is to go free but if she should have any children they shall remain and belong to the said Anna Barksdale and her heirs for ever. Item I lend to my daughter Suzy Williams one Negro boy named Abram during her natural life and then to descend to the youngest Son Doctor Crawford Williams and his heirs for ever. Item I give unto my Grandson Thomas Terry, son of David Terry one Negro girl named Fillace to him and his heirs for ever. Item I give my daughter Elizabeth Oliver twenty shillings. Item I give to my Son Champness Terry’s heirs twenty shillings. Item I leave two hundred and thirty acres of land lying on the branches of Jasmine form and one Negro boy named George to be sold. As for the rest of my worldly goods after my just debts is paid to be equally divided among my three sons David Terry, Thomas Terry and Joseph Terry and two daughters Suzy Williams and Anna Barksdale. I do hereby constitute and appoint Beverley Barksdale, Thomas Terry and David Terry to be Executors of this my last Will and do revoke all other Wills made heretofore. I do disclose this to be my last Will & Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty five.
Teste Joseph Terry (seal)
Charles Terry, Samuel Sloan,
John Terry

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County the 19th day of December 1785. The within last Will and Testament of Joseph Tery Sen deceased was exhibited into Court by Beverley Barksdale one of the Executors therein named and proved by the oaths of two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of the said Executor who made oath according to Law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form of Law on giving security. Whereupon he together with William Ryburn and Issac Tanner his securities entered into Bond as the law directs and acknowledged the same and is liberty is reserved the other Executors therein named to join in the probate when they shall think proper.

Teste, Will Tunstall, CC

WB 11:148-149

LW&T