Will of James LETT

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #5, page 57

In the name of God Amen December 28th, 1802 I James Lett of Mecklenburg County being sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto almighty God for the same do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (Viz.)

Item I give unto my beloved wife Lucy Lett one feather bed and furniture the one we lay on.

Item I give unto my son James Lett one feather bed and furniture to be his and his heirs forever.

Item I give unto my son Matthew Hubbard Lett one feather bed and furniture when he comes of age to be to him and his heirs forever.

Item I give unto my daughter Sally Lett one feather bed and furniture when she comes of age to be to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give unto my son Ambros Lett one feather bed and furniture when he comes of age to be to him and his heirs forever.

Item I give to my daughter Lucy Lett one feather bed and furniture when she comes of age to be to her and her heirs forever.

My will and desire is that my land shall be sold by my executors to pay all my just debts and then the rest of the money to be applied to the buying of land for the support of my wife and children James Lett, Matthew Hubbard Lett, Sally Lett, Ambros Lett and Lucy Lett.

I desire that my wife should have the said land during her widowhood and at her death or marriage the said land to be sold and the money equally divided among my children before mentioned.

I lend unto my beloved wife three Negroes (to wit.) Bette, Silva and Fed during her life or widowhood they and their increase to be sold and equally divided between my children last mentioned yet my desire is also that one yoke of steers and eleven heads of sheep should be sold for the support of my family.

Item I give unto my granddaughter Mason twenty shillings.

Item I give unto my son John Lett ten dollars.

Item I give unto my son Robert Lett ten dollars.

I also desire that all my stock of every kind horses, cattle, hoggs, all my household kitchen furniture and plantation utensils too tedious to mention to be sold and the money arising from the sale to [be] equally divided between my five children first mentioned at the death or marriage of my beloved wife.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the date and year first above written.

James Lett.

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of
William Hutchison, Ambros Hutchison, Jordan Hightower.

I also desire that John Hubbard, James Lett, Lucy Lett to be my executors.

At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 13th day of June 1803.

This will was proved by the oaths of William Hutchison, Ambros Hutchison and Jordan Hightower witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of John Hubbard one of the executors therein named who made oath thereto and together with Henry Pennington his securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of five thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs.

Certificate was granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form liberty being reserved for the other executor and the executrix therein named to join in the probate when they shall think fit.

Teste, William Baskervill Cl Cur."

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #6, page 158: On October 28, 1803

The estate inventory and appraisal of James Lett was returned to the court by William Hutchison, Jordan Hightower and Mathew Jackson. It included many household and plantation utensils such as a coffee pot and steel plated handsaw, several types of livestock including geese, hogs, oxen, sheep, cattle and two horses as well as a man and woman's saddle, a looking glass, a parcel of books, silver worth 75 pounds, two slates, Negroes named Betty and Fed and several other items. A total was not given but his estate was roughly valued at 273 pounds.

Contributed 1999 Jul 25 by Kevin T. Lett