Dated 29 Dec 1764, Proved 21 Feb 1765
Updated November 24, 2022
In the name of God Amen. I William GILLIAM being sick and weak, but in perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the same, do constitute and appoint this my last will and testament in manner and form following, I give my soul to almighty God who gave it me, and my body to the Earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executors, and as to my worldly estate I give devise and bequeath the same in manner and form following.
IMPRIMIS. I give and bequeath to my loving wife the use of my plantation whereon I now live during her life and also two negros Tom and Sall during her life, and also the use of Moll Nan, Mingo and Lyddie during her widowhood, also I give her the use of half my stock and household furniture during her life.
IMPRIMIS. I give and bequeath to my Son John GILLIAM two negros Toney & Suck to be his when he arrives at the age of twenty-one.
IMPRIMIS. I give and bequeath to my Son William GILLIAM all my land lying of the lower side of Harrys Swamp to him and his heirs forever.
IMPRIMIS. I give and bequeath to my Son Charles GILLIAM all my land of the upper side of Harry's Swamp to him and his heirs forever, but if my Son Charles dies before he arrive to the age of twenty--I give the land to my Son William, and if my Son William dies before he arrives of age I give the whole land to Charles and his heirs forever.
IMPRIMIS. I give and bequeath to my Son Samuel GILLIAM the plantation whereon I now live, also all my land at the Cypris Swamp, and all the land I had of Drury Spain to him and his heirs forever, but if he dies before he comes of age I give all the said to the child my wife is with but if that should die before it comes of age, my desire is that the land be equally divided betwixt my two Sons William and Charles.
IMPRIMIS. I give the use of two negros to the child unknown, if it be a boy, Viz't. Toney and Suck and also the profit arising from my plantation at Sweeds; till my Son William comes to the age of twenty-one, but if it be a girl I desire my Estate may be equally divided amongst my children that I have by my last wife, viz't; William, Charles, Samuel, Mary and Elizabeth and the child unborn.
I give and bequeath to Lewis Tyus all my land that is adjoining the said Tyus in Brunswick County, on his paying fifty-five pounds, according to an agreement made before Halcott Pride and Ephraim Parham, to him and his heirs forever.
I desire that the money that is due to me from several persons may be appley'd towards the education and maintenance of my children at the discretion of my executors.
I desire that Seymore Powell of Brunswick may have the care of my Son John GILLIAM's Estate on his giving good security to my Executors for the trust impossed in him.
I desire my Estate may not be apprais'd.
I constitute and appoint James Jones, John Lucas, and my loving wife Executors of this my last will and testament, given under my hand and seal this 29th day of December 1764.
William GILLIAM (LS)
Signed Sealed and Delivered
in presence of-
James Jones
John Southworth
John Sturdivant
At a Court held for Sussex County the 21st day of February 1765.
The afore written last will and testament of William GILLIAM deced. Was presented in Court by James Jones, John Lucas, and Mary GILLIAM the Executors therein named who made oath thereto according to law, and the same was proved by the oaths of James Jones and John Sturdivant two of the witnesses thereto, (who likewise made oath that they saw John Southworth deced. at the request of the said testator, and in his presence, subscribe his name as a witness thereto) and by the Court ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Executors Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Teste A. Claiborne CSC
Account of Estate of Capt. William GILLIAM for Capt. James Jones shows payments to Robert Jones, John Wilburn, Arthur Dillinghay, George Randolph, Henry Bailey, James Spain, Robert Whitehead, Richard Hill, John Sturdivant, John Spain, Capt. Seymour Powel, Mrs. Kirkland, William Parham, John Wilkerson, William Yarbro, Capt. William Parker, William Spain, James Horn, Matthew Whitehead, Robert Jones, David Owen, Bolling Stark, Henry Freeman, Moses Knight, William Oliver, George Booth, John Hobbs, Richard Northcross, Robert Pettway, Niell Buckanan, William Bishop, Littleberry Spain, John Anderson Sturdivant, John Hardie, Benjamin Hunt and William Stuart. 17 Mar 1768
Sussex County, VA, Will Book B, 1764-1771, page 36.
Sources
- Sussex County, VA, Will Book B, 1764-1771, Page 25.
- Sussex County, VA, Will Book B, 1764-1771, page 36.