Will of James HARRISS

written 1/30/1803 probated 4/11/1803

Mecklenburg County Virginia Will Book 5, page 43, Will of James Harriss

In the name of God Amen I James Harriss of the County of Mecklenburg and Dominion of Virginia being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following – Principally & first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty that gave it and my body I Recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian Burial by my Executors hereafter to be named nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall Receive the Same again by the mighty power of God and as Touching such worldly estate wherewith It hath been pleasing to God to enable me with, I give devise and dispose of in the following manner –

Imprimis I desire all my just debts to be punctually paid by my executors hereafter to be mentioned –

I give unto my dearly beloved wife Martha Harriss all of my estate (except a negro boy named Mark) both real & personal to be peaceably and quietly held by her during her life and at her decease it is my will and desire, that my whole estate that then may be on hand be equally divided between my daughters & sons, Sarah Owen, William, Martin, Dicey Algood, Polley, Betsey, Fanney, Patsey, Tempey and Janey Harriss to them and their heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved Son James Harriss one negro boy named Mark to be freely possessed by him when he arrives to the age of Twenty one years to him and his heirs forever – my will and desire further is that if the Negro boy that I have bequeathed to my son James Harriss should die before my said son James should come to the age of Twenty one years that my said son shall then come in for an equal part of the estate that I have lent to my wife but if the said boy Mark should not die It is my will and desire that she should Own no part of the said estate that I have lent to my wife –

Item my will and desire is that my estate shall not be appraised

lastly I do appoint my dearly beloved wife my Executrix and my Sons William and Martin Harriss my Executors and my Brothers Reuben Harriss and Robert Harriss also – In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this thirtieth day of January one Thousand eight hundred and three

signed sealed published and pronounced by the said James Harriss to be his last will and Testament in our presence & at his request we attest the same

James Harris (seal)

W Pettus
Allen Harris
William Harris
Sharod Harris

At a Court held for Mecklenburg County the 11 th day of April 1803

This will was proved by the oaths of William Harris and Sharod Harris Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and On the motion of Martha Harris the executrix & Reuben Harris one of the executors therein named who made Oath thereto & together with Richard Ragsdale and Henry H. Dedman their Securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of three thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs Certificate was granted them for Obtaining a probat of the Said will in due form liberty being reserved for the other execs. therein named to join in the probat when they shall think fit.

Teste. William Baskerville, c Cur.

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Contributed by Shirley (Johnson) LaFleur

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