Charlotte County, Virginia
Will of James Hunt
Submitted 30 June 2002 by William M. Hunt

Signed 18 October 1794 - Proved 7 September 1795

In the name of God Amen I James Hunt of the parish of Cornwal and County of
Charlotte being of sound mind and memory thanks be to God. Knowing that it is
appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the
following manner Viz first I Recommend my Soul to God that gave it and my body to the
dust to be decently Buryed at the discretion of my executors hereafter appointed, and as for
my worldly estate with which it hath pleased God to bless me with I do dispose of it in the
following manner Viz Item I desire that all my just debts be paid and my outstanding
debts be collected. Item I give and bequeath to my grand son James Hunt, son of Charles
Hunt all that tract of land which lies unsold on the Branches of Turrible & Cuttawbo
Creeks in Halifax County Containing by estimate two Hundred acres, and is adjoining the
land of Henry Bass to him and his heirs in Fee. Item I lend to Tabatha Hunt widow of my
deceased son Charles Hunt one nigro man Roger dureing her natural life and after her
death to decend to Nancy Hunt Huntsman to here & her heirs forever. Item I give and
bequeath to my two Grandsons James and William P. Hunt sons of James Hunt one nigro
man Tom and one feather bed and furniture already in possession to them their heirs
forever. Item I give and bequeath to my son Elijah Hunt one feather bed and five nigroes
(to wit) Aggy Stepny, Ben, Milly, and Tom all ready in possession to him and his heirs
forever Item I give and bequeath to my Grand daughter Sally Hunt daughter of my decd
son Nathaniel Hunt one feather Bed to her & her heirs forever Item I give and bequeath to
my said deceased son Nathaniel Hunts Children (to wit) Allen Hunt, John Hunt, Sally
Hunt, Nathaniel Hunt and Eustess Hunt two nigroes (to wit) Sheriff and Israel to be
equally divided amongst the said Children share and share alike to them and their heirs
forever. Item I give and bequeath to my son David Hunt one feather Bed & five nigroes to
wit) Abbey, Braddock, London, Ralph & squire all ready in possession on his paying to my
Grand son John Hunt son of John twenty five pounds current money of Virginia when he
the said John arrives at lawful age or marries to him my said son David and his heirs
forever. Item I give & bequeath to my daughter Sarah Craghead one feather Bed &
furniture already in possession also three Nigroes to wit Hannah Gabrel & Jacob to her &
her heirs forever. Item I lend to my Daughter mary McCraw the following nigroes Viz
Betty, Dick, little Elias, Margery, and Hannah, with there future increase for the particular
use and support of the said Mary and her younger Children during her life and at her
discease my Will & desire is that the said Slaves so lent shall decend to such of her
Children as the said Mary Judge proper to dispose of them unto either by Will or Deed
executed by her in her life time, my Will and disire further is that the Rite and title of said
Slaves Shall pass and desend to such Children and their heirs as fully and as amply as if
they had been herein particularly named and further I give to my said daughter Mary one
feather Bed already in possession to her and her heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to
my son Gilbert Hunt all that Tract of Land whereon I now live and all I hold adjoining it
together with a new Survey Containing in the whole by estimation about one Thousand
Acres, to him & his heirs infee, On his paying my Grand son John Hunt son of John the
sum of fifty pounds current money when he arrives at Lawful age also I give and bequeath
to my said son Gilbert Hunt, three Nigroes (to wit) Elias, Tillis and John and one feather
Bed to him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my grand Daughter Mary
ann Hunt one Nigro Annekey also a young black mare, a Saddle and bridle one feather Bed
and furniture to her and her heirs forever Item I give and beqath to my grand son John
Hunt, son of John all that tract of Land lying on Strait stone Creek in Pitsylvania County
adjoining the Lands of Ward, Hunt, and Balenger, Containing by estimation two hundred
and four acres to him, and his heirs in fee also two nigroes (Viz) Watt and Annis to him
and his heirs forever if he should live till he arives at lawfull age or marries, otherwise if he
should die before he arives at either of the aforesaid periods of life, then my Will and desire
is that the Legacy to him devised and bequeathed be equally devided amongst all my
Children share & share alike. Item my Will and desire is that my Tobacco be sold by my
exors for the Best price that my be had Item my Will and desire further is that all the
remaining part of my Estate not before mentioned or given away be it of what nature or
kind soever; as horses Cattle & other stock plantation tools and Crops of Corn Wheat &c
Household and kitchen furniture be sold to the highest bidders at public auction either for
ready money or on Credit at the discretion of my executors and the money arising
therefrom together with the money for my Tobacco and what money my be on hand after
my Debts are paid, and the money Legacys discharged be equally divided amongst all my
Children allowing one part to my late son Charles Hunts three Children James Hunt,
Sarah Richardson, & Elizabeth Huntsman to be equally divided amongst them allowing
one third part to Elizabeth Huntsman Decd Children to wit) Nancy Hunt Huntsman and
Lemuel Huntsman to be equally devided Between them and to be paid when they arive at
Lawful age or marries and if either should die before they arive at the aforesaid period of
time then my desire is that the part of the deceased may go and decend to the one Living,
and also one other part to my deceased son Nathaniel Hunts five Children, Viz) Allen,
John, Sally, Nathaniel and Eustis to be equally devided between them at the time of
receiving the first mentioned Legacy also one other part to my late deceased son James
Hunts Children James and William P. Hunt to be equally devided between them. And my
remaining Children Elijah, David, Gilbert, Sarah & Mary five parts to be equally devided
amongst them share and share alike, lastly I do appoint my three sons Elijah Hunt, David
Hunt and Gilbert Hunt exors of this my last Will and testament and do direct that they
shall not be called on or obliged to give Security and do utterly revoke and disanul all other
Wills formerly by me made. and do appoint this to be my last will & testament In Witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 18th day of October 1794.
(signed) James Hunt L S

Signed Sealed & published by the testator in presence of
Wm H. Hunt, Elijah Hunt Jr Wm Fuqua, Fielder Cage,
Jos Hunt James (his + mark ) Turner

At a Court held for Charlottte County the 7th day of Sepr 1795 This Last Will and
testament of James Hunt decd was Presented in Court by David Hunt and Gilbert Hunt the
surviving exors herein named and the same was proved by the Oath of Wm H Hunt Elijah
Hunt Jur & Wm Fuqua three of the Witnesses hereto subscribed, and Ordered to be
Recorded on the motion of the said executors who made Oath according to Law certificate
is Granted them for obtaining probate of the said Will The Testator having directed that
his executors should not be compelled to give Security therefore bond and Security is not
required by the Court
Teste Thomas Read Clerk
Truly Recorded Thomas Read Cl
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Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 2, pp. 74, 75, 76; xerographic copy from Clerk of
Circuit Court, #8 LeGrande Ave., Charlotte Court House, VA 23923

Transcribed by William M. Hunt
1. Spelling, punctuation, & capitalization retained
2. Extensive Inventories & Accounts of estate of James Hunt, deceased, are recorded in
Will Book 2, pp. 103, 104, 105, 200, 201, 202, including settlement dated 6 May, 1801.
________________-
April Court 1797 An Inventory and Appraisment of the Estate of James Hunt decd was
this day returned and ordered to be Recorded [Court Order Book 11, p. 33]