Wife | Son |Witnesses | Executors
colonial life in the american colonies
Made 3 April 1762, Proven 19 May 1763. Transcription:
"In the name of God Amen the Third day of April one thousand Seven hundred and Sixty two I John Watkins Senior of Halifax County being sick in Body but of good and Sound memory thanks be to Almighty God for it and calling make remembrance the uncertain Estate of this Transitory Life and that all Flesh must Yield to death when it shall please God to Call do make Constitute Ordain and Declare this my last will and Testament revoking annulling by these presents all and every Testaments Will and Wills heretofore by me made and declared either by word or writing and this to be taken only for my last will and testament and none other.
In manner and form following / that is to say/ Item I lend to my well beloved wifeElizabeth Watkins all my Negroes for and during the space of three years and two of them that is too say Dick and Lucy during her natural life or widowhood also I give to my well beloved wife Elizabeth aforesaid all my moveable Estate during her natural life. Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved son George Watkins the expiration of three years the following Negroes/ that is Dick, Cato, Will, Fan, Friday and Isham them and their Increase to him and his heirs forever. I also give and bequeath to my said Son George Watkins aforesaid after the decease or marriage of my well beloved wife Elizabeth aforesaid Dick/ their increase to him and his heirs forever. It is my will and desire is that after the decease of my well beloved wife Elizabeth is that all the remainder of my Estate real and personal be divided among my sons and daughters/ that is/ John Watkins, Thomas Watkins, James Watkins, George Watkins, Mary Welsh, Elizabeth, Watkins, Sarah Dickie, and my son William Watkins, and my daughter Francis Mackmahaney deceased parts to be Equally divided among their heirs which bequeath estate to them and each of them their heirs and c forever. Item I appoint my well beloved wife Elizabeth Watkins Executrix and my son Thomas Watkins and George Watkins Executors of this will duly perform it. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal, the day and date above mentioned.
Watkins the other Executor refusing to take upon him the Execution hereof/ and the same was proved by the oath of Micajah Watkins and John Watkins two of the subscribing witnesses and ordered the said witnesses herein court voluntarily
Signed Sealed and Declared
In the presence of
- Micajah Watkins
- Elizabeth Watkins
- John Watkins
- Mary Mackmanhaney
At a court held for Halifax County the 19th day of May 1763, the within last will and Testament of John Watkins deceased was Exhibited in court by George Watkins one of the Executors herein appointed/ Thomas relinquishing all benefit all benefit advantage of any Legacy or Legacies given them by the said Will and the said George Watkins having first taken the Oath by law prescribed and with Benjamin Lankford and Thomas Spraggins his Securities entered into Bond as the Law directs and acknowledged the same Certificate was granted him for obtaining a probate of the said Will in due form reserving liberty to Elizabeth Widow relict and Executrix in the said Will also appointed to join in the probate when she shall think fit."
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