Will of William BURNETT

written 2/16/1781 probated 5/14/1781

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book 1, pages 361-362, Will of William Burnett

In the name of God, Amen. I, William Burnett of Mecklenburg County and the state of Virginia, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

Item: I lend unto my loving wife Elizabeth Burnett the house and plantation together with all the land lying between a branch called Timber Tree and a branch called Stone lying below the plantation to Ingram's line, and a Negro man named Simon, and a Negro man named Ben, and a Negro woman named Fanny, and three cows and calves, and 2 draught steers, and one horse and colt, and twenty head of hogs, three feather beds and furniture, one chest, two pots and a frying pan, six chairs, and all my pewter until my youngest child arrives at the age of ten years, and then after the said child, Reuben Burnett, arrives at ten years of age then my will and desire is that my loving wife Elizabeth Burnett have the use of the above mentioned land and a Negro man Simon during her natural life or widowhood.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Burnett the land and plantation purchased of Joseph Knight, one sow and pigs to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son William Burnett fifty acres of land lying on the west side of Stonehouse joining Ingram's.

Item: My will and desire is that after my youngest child, Reuben Burnett, arrives to the age of ten years that all my personal estate be equally divided between my surviving children: Thomas Burnett, William Burnett, John Burnett, Harry Burnett, Joseph Burnett, Edmund Burnett, Brukin (?) Burnett, Boby Burnett, Reuben Burnett, Phoebe Burnett, Betsy Burnett, Sally Burnett.

Item: I give and bequeath all the rest of my land not before mentioned to be equally divided between my children hereafter mentioned that is to say: John Burnett, Harry Burnett, Joseph Burnett, Edmund Burnett, Brukin (?) Burnett, Boby Burnett, Reuben Burnett, Phoebe Burnett, Betsy Burnett, Sally Burnett; to them and their heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Phoebe Burnett the sum of twenty pounds to be raised out of my estate before divided to her and her heirs forever.

And of this my last will and testament I do appoint my son Thomas Burnett and my son William Burnett my executors. Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of February one thousand seven hundred and eight-one.

Teste.
James Day (his mark) William Burnett
Mary Day (her mark)
Redmond Smith

At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 14th day of May 1781.

This will was proved by the oaths of James Day and Redmond Smith witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Thomas Burnett, one of the executors therein named, who made oath thereto and together with Mordecai Brown and Samuel Lark his securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of one hundred thousand pounds conditioned as the law directs certificate was granted him for obtaining a probat of the said will in due form liberty being reserved for the other executor therein named to join in the probat when he shall think fit.

Teste. John Brown, Co. Cur.

Contributed by Shirley (Johnson) LaFleur