Will of William Lee
Amherst Co., VA Will Book 2:235,236
Transcribed by J Spears 10-05
Capitalization and spelling retained as far as possible.
I William Lee being in a low State of health but sound in mind and memory and knowing the uncertainty of this life make this my Last will and Testament Viz After my death it is my desire that my Estate after all my Just debts are first paid be Divided as hereafter mentioned My Lands I desire should be equally divided between my two sons James Lee and William Lee except my wife should be with Child and that should be a son: in which Case my desire is that he enjoy an equal share with the other two that is one third part to each and in Case either should die without an heir I desire that his share be equally divided by the survivors or survivor I desire that my Negroes and other estate be Equally divided among the whole of my children each to receive his or her share as he or she shall attain to the age of twenty one years and Exclusive of an equal share of Negroes and &C I desire that a horse and saddle Valued to twenty pounds __?__ be given out of my estate to Each of my daughters as they Marry or Attain to the age of Nineteen years: in Case the Child with which my Wife is now big should be a Daughter my desire is that she have an equal share of Negroes &c and a horse and saddle above mentioned. My desire is that my beloved Wife Susannah Lee during her widowhood should enjoy the whole of my estate for the support and maintainance of her and my Children giving up to each Child as he or she shall attain to the age of twenty one years his or her share as above mentioned. But in case she shall Marry, then it is my desire that she should have an equal share with my Children of my Negroes and other moveable Estate to be allotted off at the time of her Marriage and to be solely at her own Disposal ever after. And lastly I do hereby appoint Joseph Dawson, John Wiatt and George Lee Executors of this my last will and Testament Witness my hand and seal this fourth day of March Anno Dom: one Thousand seven hundred Eighty five
Signed sealed and Delivered in presence of )
Test Richard Harrison, Cornelius Sale ) William Lee (Seal)
Robert Dawson In__?__ before signed )
At a Court for Amherst County the first Day of August 1785 The Last Will and Testament of William Lee Decd was presented in Court by the Executors therein Named and proved by the Oath of Richard Harrison, Corneleus Sale and Robert Dawson Witness thereto and the said Executors with Gabreal Penn and George Penn the sureties Entered into and Acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of Four thousand pounds took the Oath required by Law and the said Will is order to be Recorded
Test. Wm Loving Clk
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Recorded Bond followed