William Watkins Will

colonial life in the american colonies

Wife· Son· Witnesses· Executor· Date Exhibited

Made 13 September 1794, Proven 27 October 1794. Transcription

"In the Name of God Amen I William Watkins of the County of Halifax being in a Low State of Health but of Sound Mind and Memory Praise be God for his goodness and loving kindness to me all my Life Long and for his continued favors to the present moments and knowing that it is appointed for all men to one day make constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament revoking all other Wills heretofore made by me in meander and from following to Witt first of all I give my soul to god who gave it me and my Body to be decently buried and as touching such worldly estate as hath pleased god to bless me with I give and bequeath in manner and form following to Witt/ first of all I lend to my beloved wife Winifred Watkins all the upper end of the tract of land whereon I now live both low ground and high lands including the dwelling house I now live in and to be bounded on the lower end by a certain cross fence beginning on the river and containing above the (Barn) as the said cross fence now runs to my gate on the East side of my house adjoining James Coleman which said land and Every part thereof I lend her my said wife/ during her Natural life I also give to My beloved wife the following slaves to Witt/ Tom, Easter, Ben and Lucy to her and to her heirs and assigns forever. I also give to my beloved wife Winifred choice of two workhorses and a bay Colt two years old last May also choice of eight head of Cattle and choice of eight head of sheep five pigs together with all my household furniture except as shall be hereafter taken out together with all the working tools together with one third part of all my crop now on hand both corn and other tobacco and every other thing whatsoever growing or made on my plantation the present year I also give to my beloved wife one ox cart together with all the above (Land exceptions) to her and her heirs and assigns forever. I give to my son Thomas Watkinsall my whole tract of land Whereon I now lives including the legacy above lent to my aforesaid wife when her right shall be ended Therein to be give to him my said son and to his heirs and assigns forever together with the following slaves to Witt/ Frank, old Tom, Jude, Betsy, Peter, Fancy, Lickey, and Frevey with their increases to be given to him and to his heirs and assigns forever together with one black Walnut bedstead bed two white cotton sheets one checkered one Virginia bed quilt and also one bed which he now hath in possession with its furniture together with all my horses and Mares not before given a way with all my stock of cattle, hogs , sheep, and not before given away to be given to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. I lend to my daughter Betsy Cunningham one Negro man named Isham, which she now hath in possession and one Negro girl. During her life and after her decease my will and desire is that the aforementioned Negroes and increases should be equally divided among all her children and to be given to them and to their heirs and assigns forever.

I lend to my daughter Mary Ann Perryman all that tract or parcel of land I purchased of John Patt lying on Winns Creek whereon she now lives during her life with one slave named Jim which she now hath in possession also a girl named Jenny during her life and after her deceased my will and desire is that the aforesaid, land and Negroes with their increase should be equally divided between all her children to be given to them and to their heirs and assigns forever.

I lend to my daughter Fanny Brown one Negro boy named Philip which she now hath in possession also one Negro boy named Ruben during her life after her deceased my will and desire is that the aforementioned Negroes should be equally divided between all her children to be given to them and to their heirs and assigns forever.

I lend to my granddaughter Elizabeth Mearcy one Negro girl named Celah to her and to her heirs and assigns forever.

I appoint Thomas Watkins Senior whole and Sole Executor. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this thirteenth day of September one thousand seven hundred and ninety four.

James Scott

At a court held for Halifax county the 27th day of October 1794 the within written last will and testament of William Watkins Deceased was exhibited in court and proved by 2 witnesses and Order to be recorded and according to law and together with James Watkins and Micajah Watkins his Securities entered into and Acknowledged the Bonds in the penalty of $5000 conditioned as the law directs certificate for obtaining probate thereon in due form of law is granted him.

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