Massey-VA-1761-Will

Merherrin Parish, VA
JOSEPH MASSIE - WILL
Probated May 26 1761

     In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Massie Meherrin Parrish and County of Brunswick being weak of body but of a sound  prospects and disposing mind and memory. Thanks be to God for the same and calling to mind of the mortality of my body  and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in  manner and form following, hereby revoking all the wills and  testaments by me heretofor made.
     First I commend my body and soul into the hands of God who gave it and for my body I commend to the earth in a Christian  manner by estatees hereafter named in so wishing the dispositions of all such improved estate as it hath pleased Almighty  God to bestow upon me. I give, devise, disposed of as followith:

Item I give and bequeath unto my son John half the land between my path abounding by the said path to the end of his  land then along Pages parts to the Middle Creek and all in that bounded called the neck between the two Creeks, his heirs and assignees forever.

Item I also give and bequeath unto my son John as before mentioned, one negro man named JACK to him, his heirs and  assignees forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Avent one negro boy, NED to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Amy Avent Seventy shillings to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecca Wise to her heirs and assignees forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Agnes Richardson Thirty shillings to her and her heirs and assignees forever. 

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Wise Ten shillings to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Massie Five shillings to him and his heirs and assignees forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my son William Massie two hundred and eighty acres of land where on he now lives and a negro boy named PHINAS also a negro girl named DOLL and the hogs being raised, the plantation and after my death my saddle horse and harnessing all this I will give to him and his heirs and assignees forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Massie one half of my land not before mentioned, where on I now live the upper half to my son James to divide as think fit. Also a bed and furniture, chamber pot and half a dozen ____ plates and my bay stallion and his saddle and bridle and new housing  that is called his and my mill and dish and basin and a negro boy named George and a negro girl named PHILLIS and all this to him, his heirs and assignees forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my son James Massie the plantation where on I now live with five hundred acres of land being in the five the lower part of a thousand  acres in the above half I have given to my son Thomas Massie for to divide as they think proper and bed and furniture and iron pot and half a dozen plates, dishes and basin and a negro man named Bob, and a negro woman named HANNAH all to him his heirs and assignees forever.

Also my will is that my two eldest sons William and Thomas should buy a horse off the ground given and a saddle of thirty shillings price for my son James Massie, they having horses et al none to be bought out of my total estate.

Item I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Charotte Massie one negro by named SAM to be her and her heirs forever.

Item I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife and her heir, my sons William and Thomas Massie my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament, likewise my will and desire is that my estate may not be appraised nor finally given for the probate of this will in witness thereof  I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Nineteeth day of  August One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Signed

Sealed and Delivered
Joseph Massie Seal

In Presence of
John Houseman
James Clark
Beatrice Houseman

Let a court held for Brunswick County the 28th day of May 1761 This will was presented into Court by Elizabeth Massie William Massie and Thomas Massie. The executors therein named who made oath thereto according to the Law and the same was proved by oath of John Houseman and Beatrice Houseman two of the witnesses thereto and caused to be recorded and on the time of the said executors certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate bond
Testee
John Robinson
Clerk of County

Deciphered 7-22-1991
By Herman L. Mingee
Edited by James B. Massey 6 December 1992

Contributed by: ndkelly@sahuaro.net