May 7, 1788
Proved November 24, 1788
Updated November 25, 2022
Background:
Elizabeth Woodson, the daughter of Drury Woodson and Lucy Christian, his wife, married Charles M. Gilliam, the son of James Gilliam, Jr. It has been said by Byron W. Woodson, Sr., in A President in the Family that Charles M. Gilliam and Elizabeth and Martha, Elizabeth's sister, and Peyton Riddle, Martha's husband, went West with the slaves they inherited from their father Drury, and that the slave, Jemima, married Tom Woodson, the son of Sally Hemings.
Will of Drury Woodson of Cumberland County
Lend to wife Lucy Woodson six negroes viz: Daniel, Sampson, Sam, Hannah, Ester and Isaac and land whereon I now live with all estate both real and personal not hereafter particularly given by legacy to my children to have and to hold and peaceably enjoy the term of her life; then the negroes above mentioned to be equally divided amoung all my children and the rest of the estate to be equally divided amoung all my children except Judith Johnson and Charles Woodson, after my wifes decease.
To daughter Judith Johnson the negro boy named Joe the term of my wifes live and after her decease to the said Judith Johnson.
To son Charles Woodson five shillings sterling.
To daughter Mary Woodson two negroes Rose and Peyton.
To daughter Nancy King two negroes Ned and Jane.
To son Drury Woodson three negroes Ben, Sal and James and land where I now live after my wife’s decease.
To daughter ELIZABETH WOODSON two negroes Jacob and Fanny.
To daughter Martha Woodson two negroes Mima and David.
All of which legacies to be received as the children come of age except the land which is left to my wife the term of her life and then given to my son Drury Woodson.
Wife Lucy Woodson and son Charles Woodson Executors.
Dated May 7, 1788.
Wit: Jesse Talley, Agness Talley, Susana Foster.
Proved Nov 24, 1788.
Sources
- Cumberland County, VA, Will Book 1, Pages 442
- Ancestry. com. Edward Pleasant Valentine Papers.
- Posted to Gilliams of Virginia and Beyond Ancestry Tree