Inventory of the Estate of William Harper I
WILL OF WILLIAM HARPER
Dated October 12, 1757
Probated November 18, 1757
Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Virginia
Sussex County, VA Will Book “A” Pages 78-80
In the name of God Amen, the 12th day of October in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand five hundred and fifty seven, William Harper of Albemarle parish and county of Sussex being at this time of sound and perfect mind thanks be given unto God for it therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointing for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say first of all I give and name my soul to God that gave it me and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and descent like manner at the discretion of my executors and as for my worldly goods what it hath pleased God to bless me in this life. I give and devise in manner and form following.
My debts being ___ well and truly paid, I give and devise unto my
oldest son, William Harper, and to his heirs forever, all my land which I hold in Dinwiddie County; a negro man, Matt; a negro boy named Dick and the labour of the said negro Matt from the time he has had him in possession and all my part of the stock, excepting a young mare.
Item - I give and devise unto my son, Wyatt Harper and to his heirs forever all my land which I hold on southwestern forever granted to me by pattent bearing date of 28 day of August 1756 and one negro boy named Bob and a negro wench named Nan, a negro boy named Aron and ten pounds current money of Virginia, and all my wearing cloaths, likewise a young man my son William Harper has now in his posses-sion and all accounts that is due from him to me likewise half a dozen sheep and ten young hogs.
Item - I give and devise unto my son Edward Harper and to his heirs forever four hundred twenty and seven acres of land which I hold on the south side of Sappony Creek be the same, more or less, it being the land I bought of James Gilliam, and some part of another tract adjoining the said creek, a negro man named Tom and a negro man named Ned, a negro wench named Jenny and two iron pots.
Item - I give and devise unto my son Benjamin Harper and his heirs forever, four hundred and twenty acres of land lying and being on the North side of Sappony Creek, be the same more or less, it being all I hold on that side of the said creek, one negro man named Tony, negro wench named Gogg, negro girl named Lucy, negro boy named Peter and negro boy named Billy; my still and copper kettle, two iron potts, a large pott and a small one and his negros to continue on the plantation till he comes to the age of twenty years then to take them in possession and likewise his part of the stock to continue on the plan-tation.
Item - I give and devise unto my daughter, Milly Tucker, and her heirs forever one negro girl named Hannah.
Item - I give and devise unto my daughter, Frances Harper and to her heirs forever negro boy named Moses and ten pounds current money of Virginia.
Item - I give and devise unto my daughter, Martha Rivers and to her heirs forever a negro boy named Cubit.
Item - I give and devise unto my son Edward Harper aformentioned two feather beds and their covering, half of my stock of cattle, hoggs and sheep.
Item - I give and devise unto my son Benjamin Harper aforementioned, two feather beds and covering, half a dozen leather chairs, chest of drawers, and square table and the chest that stands up stares, and half my stock of cattle, sheep and hoggs. Also a young man that belongs to the plantation, my riding saddle housing and bridle and his part of household goods to remain in the house, and himself to be schooled and it to be paid out of his own part of the estate and to be under the care of my sons, Wyatt and Edward Harper.
Item - I give and devise unto my sons Edward and Benjamin Harper aforementioned, my work horses and harnesses for the use of the plantation and my corn and fodder for the supportment of their stock and negros.
Item - I give and devise unto my three sons, Wyatt, Edward and Ben-jamin Harper, my crop of brandy to be sold and the money arriving thereby to be equally divided and all the remaining part of my move-able estate not above named to be equally divided between them at the dispossession of any two persons whom they shall choose and appoint, and that when so divided into parts each the said Wyatt, Ed-ward and Benjamin Harper shall draw lots for choice.
Item - I bequeath and devise that no part of my estate to be appraised and that my executors shall in no wise be obliged or compelled to give security for performance of the same and further I do likewise appoint constitute make and ordain my two sons name Wyatt and Edward Harper abovementioned to be my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament and to have the care of my son Benjamin Harper and his estate till he comes to the age of twenty years as abovementioned and I do hereby utterly dis____, revoke, disavow all and every other testaments, wills and legacees bequests and executors by me before mentioned, willed or bequeathed, set my hand and seal this day and date written.
Signed sealed published pronounced }
and dictated by the above William Harper }
as his last will and testament in presence of}
Teste Thomas Huson
Teste Nathaniel Malone
Teste John Bonner
Signed: William Harper
In court held for Sussex County the 18th day of November 1757 the aforewritten last will and testament of William Harper decd. was presented in court by Wyatt and Edward Harper, executors therein named who made oath thereto according to law and the same was penned by the oaths of Thomas Huson, Nathaniel Malone and John Bonner the witnesses thereto and by the court ordered to be recorded and in the motion of the said executors, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
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