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Mecklenburg County Virginia Will Book 8, pages 185-187, Will of Peter Burton
In the name of God, Amen, I, Peter Burton being of sound mind and disposing
memory, knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this
to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. To Wit.
Imprimis: I lend unto my Son Hutchings Burton one Negro man Slave named Ben
which he has now in his possession, during his natural life, then to his Heirs
lawfully begotten of his body, should he leave no lawful heirs, then it is my
will that the said Slave Ben should be equally divided amongst the rest of my
children or their heirs henceforth.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my
daughter Sally Hubbard a Negro woman Slave named Betty and forty pounds cash to
her and her heirs forever
Item I lend to my Daughter Dolly Smithson as
long as she remains single two Negroes, to wit. a Negro woman named Tilly and a
girl named Betty. It is my Will and desire that my Executors hereafter named to
hire out the said slaves or otherwise manage for my said Daughter Dolly Smithson
that she may enjoy the profit of the said Slaves as long as she may remain
single and at her death or marriage the said Slave Betty to her son William B
Smithson to him and his heirs but if my said daughter should die leaving no
lawful heir except her son William B Smithson then I give the whole of the
Estate lent her and the said William B. Smithson to him and his heirs. But if
the same Dolly Smithson and William B. Smithson should both die without lawful
Heirs, then it is my Will and desire that the Estate aforesaid should return to
my Estate and be equally divided amongst the rest of my children or their heirs
forever.
Item It is my will and desire that my Executors hereafter named
do have house sixteen by twelve feet built in a workmanlike manner on my tract
of land called Tuckers oldfield, for the use and benefit of my Daughter Dolly
Smithson, so long as she may remain single, and to have a sufficient quantity of
Land laid off for her to work the Slaves lent her, if my Executors should think
proper that they should work on the said Land, but at her death or marriage the
Land and house to belong to my son Peter Burton.
It is also my will that
my said Daughter Dolly Smithson have a bed and furniture also a chest of Drawers
to enjoy in the same manner as the slaves I have lent her.
Item: I lend
unto my Daughter Phoebe Puryear one Negro Woman Slave named Dilett during her
natural life, at her death I give the said Negro Dilett and her increase to my
three granddaughters Patsey, Peggy and Sally Puryear to be equally divided
between them and their heirs forever
I give and bequeath to my Daughter
Mary Lett a Negro woman slave named Sall and a Negro girl named Jenny to her and
to her heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Martha
Burton two Negroes, to wit., a Negro woman named Amy and a Negro girl named
Maria also one Feather Bed and furniture one Horse and Saddle my chest of
Drawers and one Walnut dressing Table to her and her heirs forever
Item I
give and Bequeath unto my Son Peter Burton the whole of the Land that I possess
including the Land that I live on, and the Land called Tuckers oldfield also
three Negroes, to wit, a Negro woman named Lyddy, a girl named Daphney, and a
Boy named Emanuel also a Horse, bridle and Saddle one Feather Bed and furniture
my desk, and square folding Walnut Table and a Walnut dressing Table to him and
his heirs forever.
Item it is my will and desire that the balance my
Estate of every species, be sold by my Executors hereafter named and after the
payment of my just debts the money arising form the sale to be equally divided
amongst all my children or their heirs—the portion or part that my daughter
Phoebe may be entitled to if she be dead I give the same to her heirs forever.
The portion or part of the residue of my Estate aforesaid that my daughter Dolly
Smithson may be entitled to, It is my will, that my Executors do manage the same
for her benefit, either in the purchase of property, or otherwise if they may
see cause, to be enjoyed by her during her natural life, and at her death to do
with as she thinks proper.
Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint
Thomas Taylor, Archibald Green and William Brown (son of James) Executors to
this my last will and Testament, Revoking and making void all other will or
wills by me heretofore made, declaring this only to be my last will and
Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 8 th day
of February 1811.
Peter Burton
signed, Sealed and delivered in
presence of us
William Rowlet, Sen (the words said slave and the word
Thomas Hudson Puryear interlined before signed)
William Rowlet, Jr.
Bind
Jackson
At a court held for Mecklenburg County held the 18 th day of
December 1815
This will was presented in court and proved by the oath of
Thomas Hudson, William Rowlet and Bins Jackson Witnesses thereto and ordered to
be Recorded. And on the motion of Archibald Green one of the Executors named in
the said Will who made Oath according to Law Certificate is granted him for
obtaining a probate of the said Will in due form whereupon he with William
Green, Edward Neal and Edward Dodson his securities entered into and
acknowledged their Bond for that purpose ....
Teste: Edw. Tabb
Contributed by Shirley (Johnson) LaFleur
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