HANOVER COUNTY CHANCERY WILLS AND NOTES
Compiled by William Ronald Cocke, III
Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc. Baltimore, 1978
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p. 22

Mahala's Will, VA, 1831

MAHALA.
"In the name of God amen, I, Mahala a free woman of color of the County of Hanover and parish of Saint Paul being in sound mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills.
... Imprimis.  It is my will and desire that my children that I purchased of the estate of Colo. Thomas Tinsley deceased shall be free & all the children that I may have hereafter together with those I had previous to me emanicpation shall participate equally in whatever I may died possessed of either in money, stock or other personal property or real estate.
... It is my wish that my daughter Clara be bound to her former Mistress, Susanna Tinsley until she arrives at the age of twenty-one or as long as the said Susanna Tinsley may live.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 16th day of February 1824."
Signed sealed in presence

Mahala + her mark
of Susanna Tinsley
Saml. Tinsley.

Codicil to this my last will.  I hereby constitute and appoint Thomas G. Tinsley Executor to this my last will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 17th day of February 1824."
Signed sealed & Acknowledged
Mahala + her mark
in presence of Susana Tinsley
Saml Tinsley

At a Circuit Court of Law & Chancery, continued & held for Hanover County at the Courthouse, on Wednesday the 28th of September 1831.
This last will and testament of Mahala a free woman of colour & the codicil thereafter written were offered for proof by Thomas G. Tinsley the Executor in the said Codicil named, and were proved by the oaths of Susanna TInsley & Samuel Tinsley the witnesses thereto and are ordered to be recorded
Teste, Philip B. Winston, C.C.
A copy, Teste, Philip B. WInston. C.C
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Contributed by: "Barbara Rivas"  sayona@swbell.net