3 February 1790
Probated 19 July 1790
Updated November 24, 2022
In the name of God, amen. I, John GILLIAM, the younger of the parish of Bristol and County of Prince George being low in health but of sound mind and memory do with the solemnity requisite on the present occasion make and ordain this my last Will and Testament revoking all others that I may before this have made.
Imprimis: It is my will and desire that all my just debts should be paid from the sale of all my stocks of hogs, horses and cattle except as will be hereafter excepted from the hire of my negroes and should these secured funds be inadequate I then direct my executor or executors to dispose of such articles on the place I now live at, as can best be spared by my dear wife.
Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary (daughter of Nathaniel Harrison dec’d) the choice of my two best horses, all my cattle in this county, by kitchen and household furniture, carts, seines, boats and tackling, and further direct that my executors hereafter named the survivor or survivors shall and are hereby constituted trustees to and for the following purposes. I devise to the said trustees or trustee all my negroes (one excepted) and direct that he, she or they shall pay all the profits of such negroes arising in any manner whatsoever to my said wife for the support of herself during widowhood and for the maintenance and support of education what they or either shall be underage or unmarried, but should my said wife intermarry after my death I then devise and bequeath to her for her natural life in lieu of all claims and dower one equal moiety of my negroes and the horses, cattle, and furniture above mentioned.
Item: I give, devise and bequeath to my dear daughters, Mary and Jenny GILLIAM and to the child or children with which my wife may be pregnant to them and their heirs forever the other moiety of my negroes to be equally divided as they or either of them marry of come of age I do further direct that the said trustees or trustee shall deliver such ____ of negroes to my said wife and children ______ of any of the said ______ writing as in this my Will.
Item: I give, devise and bequeath forever after the death of my wife all the negroes and property whatsoever kind and manner and devised to her my said wife to be equally divided among my children and the heirs of such children per stripes and not per capitas
Also I give and bequeath to my godchild and nephew William Poythress son of William Poythress a negro boy Billy son of Betty to him forever.
Lastly, I constitute and appoint my beloved wife executrix and my honored farther [sic] and Edmund Harrison executors to this my last will and testament and I further direct that appraisement shall be made of my estate
In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this third day of February one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
Signed and acknowledged to be the last will and testament of John GILLIAM, Jr.
Sig: John GILLIAM, sealed with seal.
Wit: Before Reubin M. GILLIAM, Edmund Harrison, Burwell [X] Barker
At a court held for Prince George County at the courthouse on Tuesday the 19th day of July 1790.
The last Will and Testament of John GILLIAM, Jun, dec’d was exhibited into court and proved by the oaths of Reubin M. GILLIAM, Edmd Harrison and Burwell Barker, the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste: P. Williams, C. Court.
Sources
- Prince George County, VA, Deed Book (1787-1792), page 388