Charlotte Co., VA Will of Henry May 1773/1774
Will Book 1:107

Submitted May 2001 by Selena DuLac


Henry May dated 4 Feb 1773; Charlotte Co, VA; 
In the name of God Amen the fourth day February in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and seventy three I Henry May of the county of 
Charlotte being of Perfect memory do make & ordain this to be my last Will 
& Testament, Viz, It is my Desire that in the first Place all my debts be 
paid and Satisfyed, Item I give to my five sons Gabriel, Humphry, Abner, 
Stephen, and Henry the tract of land I now live on to be divided in manner 
of the following towit, in five equal Parts consisting of one hundred and 
eighty acres which all running from line to line crosses the main creek 
Gabriel to have his first choice of the acres, Humphry next, Abner next, 
Stephen next, Henry last, and in case either of them should die before they 
come of age or have child lawfully begotten, the land to be Proportioned 
amongst them that are living. My son Stephen I leave to the Tutation of my 
son Gabriel till he comes to the age of twenty years, my son Henry I leave 
to the Tutation of my son Humphry till he come to the age of twenty years; 
my desire is that none of my Estate may be sold if my debts can be paid 
without. I lend to my wife her choice of the Negros and what household 
furniture she thinks Proper and part of the stock so that she don't exceed 
a third part during her life & then return to the children, the remaining 
part to be devided amoung all my children Boys and Girls equally the girls 
and younger Childrens part to remain in the care of my wife if she thinks 
Proper to take care of it till the children comes of age or Marry's; but if 
my wife marries the childrens part to be taken out of her care and put in 
the care of my two sons Gabrel and Humphry, who I appoint Executors of this 
my last will and testement the year above written. 
Signed Henry May. 

Signed and sealed in presents of us Thomas Collins, Edwin Farred?.
 
PS my desire is and I do order that my Estate not be divided til Stephen 
comes to the age of twenty, But to be kept together to maintain the family 
except my wife should marry then to be divided as above.
 
At a Court held for Charlotte County the 2nd day of May 1774. The within 
written last Will and Testement of Henry May dec'd was Presented in Court 
by Humphry May and Gabriel May the executors there in named and the same 
with one Court there to was Proved by the oath of two Witnesses there to 
subscribed to be the act and Deed of the said Henry May and ordered to be 
recorded & on the motion of Executors whom .. according to law Certificate 
is granted to them for obtaining Probate of the said Will and due form they 
giving Security, where upon they together with Paul Carrington & Matthew 
Sims their Security entered into and Acknowledged their bond according to 
law for that Purpose. (Probated because of a dispute on 4 Dec 1780 .)