Updated November 25, 2022
In the name of God Amen. I Patrick Henry, M. A., Minister of the Parish of St. Paul in the County of Hanover, being, blessed be God, in tolerable Health, and of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner following:
First I desire my body may be buried in the new Church in this Parish, as near to the grave of my deceased wife as may be.
I give and devise to my Daughter Jane GILLIAM, the following slaves, viz. Great Caesar, Old Caesar, little Caesar, Bob, Old Hannah, her daughter Hannah, Beck, Sis, George, Sall, Suke-Beck, Hannah, daughter of Beck Suke, Fanny, Milly, Dick, Alex, Will, Billy, Joshua, Lucy, Charlotte, Nanny, and her children now and hereafter to be born to have and to hold the same above mentioned slaves, except Nanny and her children which said Nanny and her children, except her daughter Sukie, I give and devise to my grand-daughter Mary GILLIAM, to her and her heirs forever, and to dispose of them by will or otherwise as she may think best.
I give and devise to my granddaughter, Elizabeth GILLIAM, one negro girl named Sukie, daughter of Nanny to her and her heirs forever.
I give and devise to my grandson Patrick Henry GILLIAM that tract of land on the Branches of Allan’s Creek containing about five hundred and sixty acres acres, part whereof is in Goochland County and part in Hanover County to have and to hold the said Tract of land after the death of my Daughter, Jane GILLIAM, to him and his heirs forever.
All the rest and residue of my Estate of what nature or kind soever I give and devise to my Daughter, Jane GILLIAM, and her heirs forever.
I give and devise to my nephew Patrick Henry, Esq., present Governor of Virginia the sum of fifty Pounds current money, and do constitute and appoint him, my said nephew and my son-in-law, John GILLIAM, Executors of this my last will and Testament and I do desire they may not be obliged or required to give security for the performance thereof, or cause my Estate to be appraised.
In witness whereof I, the said Patrick Henry, the Testator, have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-sixth day of February in the year of our Lord, Christ, 1777.
Patrick Henry (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who signed the same as witnesses at his request.
Thos. Baskin
William Anderson, Junr.
Joseph Thomas.
At a Court held for Hanover County on Thursday, the 7th day of August 1777, this Last Will and Testament of the Revered Patrick Henry, deceased was offered to proof by John GILLIAM, one of the executors therein named and was proved by the oath of Thomas Baskin, William Anderson, junr. and Joseph Thomas, the witnesses hereto and also by the oath of the said Executor and ordered to be recorded.
Sources
- Bazile, Leon M. (Leon Maurice). Wills of Rev. Patrick Henry and Walter Coles of Hanover County, VA. Virginia Will Records, page 144.