Transcribed
by Pat Stubbs
I am sure that some of our people will be fascinated
by these old wills as I was - so here is a copy of the will of John PETTY of
Orange Co.,Va.
Will Book 2- 1744-1778- page 422
In the
name of God, Amen: I John PETTY, of the County of Orange, Parish of St.Thomas,
being in perfect sense and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and
testament, hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me heretofore
made and declaring this only to be my last will and testament.Imprinis: I lend
my beloved wife, Rebecca, the land and plantation whereon we now live,
containing 122 acres during her natural live or widowhood, also my negro fellow
Punch and negro woman Moll, together with all my other estate, during her natural
life or widowhood, and after her decease my will and desire is that my estate
be divided amongst my children in manner and form towit:
Item: I leave to my eldest son Thomas PETTY 5 shillings current money to
be paid to him by my executors when
demanded and it is my will and desire that my said son have no other
part of my estate.
Item: I give and bequest to my dauighters Sarah CORLEY and Tabitha EDWARDS and to my son Luke who
are now in Carolina, the sum of 5 shillings each.
Item: I give and bequest to my grandaughter Ann FORD the feather bed that she lies on with the furniture belong to it.
Item: I give and bequest to my son-in-law William
RANSDALL my large church Bible.
Item: I give and bequest to my son Francis PETTY one
horse to the value of 8 lbs.
Item: I give and bequest to my son Abner PETTY my negro man named Punch,
but in case Abner should die before he arrive to the age of 21 years or has
heirs of his body lawfully begotten, then it is my will and desire that my said
negro Punch be sold and the money divided amongst my other children whom I have
not cut off with 5 shillings.
Item: I give and bequest to my son
George Petty after his mother's decease, the land and plantation whereon I now
live and one negro woman named Moll, with her future increase to him and his
heirs forever but in case that George should have died before he arrives to the
age of 21 years or has heirs of his body lawfully begotten then it is my will
and desire that the land and the plantation go to my son John PETTY and his heirs forever and the negro woman
named Moll be sold to the highest bidder and the money to be equally divided
betwixt all my children who have not been cut off with 5 shillings. It is my (86) will and desire that in case my wife Rebecca PETTY should marry
after my decease that then she should have no more of estate than the law
allows her. It is my will and desire
that the remainder of my estate, after the decease of my wife Rebecca PETTY
should be appraised and sold to the highest bidder and the money equally
divided betwixt my children hereafter mentioned, viz.: Alzia FORD, John PETTY,
Zachariah PETTY, Ann RANSDALL, Rebecca BOSTON, Susannah HAWINS, Jemina BOSTON,
Francis PETTY and Abner PETTY and I do appoint my beloved wife Rebecca PETTY
extrx. and William RANSDALL executors of this last will and testament this 26th
day of July 1768.
John PETTY
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us:
Alexander WAUGH, Jr., Absalom WOOD, William WOOD
Since the signing of the above will, I have been informed of the
death of my eldest son Thomas PETTY, therefore to prevent his children from
having any part of my estate, I give to my grandson Reuben PETTY son of Thomas
PETTY, one shilling sterling. In
witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of Feb.
1770.
John
PETTY
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
Catty PETTY
Alexander WAUGH, Jr. (87)