Will of George FREEMAN

Mecklenburg Co., VA Will Bk. 6, pp. 178-180, George Freeman's Will

In the name of God Amen. I George Freeman of Mecklenburg County and state of Virginia being of sound mind and memory blessed be God but knowing the uncertainty of life have this the thirtieth day March one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, thought proper to make, ordain, and appoint this my last will and testament in the manner following

Imprimis. I give and bequeath to my wife the plantation whereon I now live with the negroes and appurtenances thereto during her life of which the negroes are to be set free.

Item. I give and bequeath to my three daughters Jane H. Freeman Sally Freeman and Lucy T. Freeman all the household furniture to be equally divided amongst them (after the decease of their mother) who are to remain with her until married.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Freeman the land whereon he now lives, also the land on which I now live after my wife's death bounded by my spring branch from a corner poplar on Austen Wright's line up to Robert Burton's line, to him [and] his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson George Freeman son of James Freeman deceased one hundred acres of land on which he now lives, bounded on one side by Major Butlers and Austin Hughes' lines. The dividing line between him and my son John Freeman to commence on the Creek so far above the aforesaid plantation as to include the same and as much woodland as will make the whole tract of land amount to one hundred acres and no more; the line to begin on the Creek as aforesaid & to run in a straight direction to the back line; his mother and his brothers and sisters are to live where they now reside during her widowhood and no longer provided she endeavours to improve the land and commit no extravagant waste of the same, but after her marriage she is to have no right or title to any part of the aforesaid land or anything belonging thereto. The intention relative the above children is that they are to live with the aforesaid George Freeman, Junr. until they become of age or are married.

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandchildren Muel [short for Lemuel], Benjamin Polly, Elizabeth, and Frances Freeman, children of James Freeman deceased, five dollars to be equally divided among the aforesaid children to them and their heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son John Freeman a piece of land including all between my spring branch and George Freeman Junr.'s line extending as the main branch runs up to Burton's line to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughters Mary Toone, Elizabeth Cunningham, and Nancy Nicholson three dollars to be equally divided amongst them, to them and their heirs forever.

Item. My will and desire is that after my death the division and management of my Estate here bequeathed be left to Samuel Bugg (Hawd)? and Benjamin Freeman whom I appoint Executors of this my last will and testament.

Signed sealed and
George Freeman (seal)

acknowledged in presence of
Samuel Bugg
William B. Langley

At a Court held for Mecklenburg County the (word missing) day of April 1809.

This will was proved by the oaths of Samuel Bugg and William B. Langley witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.

Teste
Wm Baskervill Ct Clk

(Written in left margin):

And at a court held for the same County the 17th August 1817 on the motion of Benjamin Freeman one of the Exors signed(?) in the said will who made oath thereto together with William Bilbo his security (illegible word) note & acknowledged the imposed(?) in the (sic) January of fifteen hundred $(?) do [due] Aug 6 is discharged as the law directs. Certificate is granted (illegible word) for obtaining a probate of the said will under (illegible word) Liberty being reserved to the other Executors … rights and will to join in the probate whenever he shall think fit.

Teste
Wm Baskervill Ct Clk

Contributed by Kathy Turner December 30, 2010