John Read was born before 1692, and he died in the decade before the American Revolution started. His will was written 17 August 1765, proven 19 September 1765. He mentioned slaves Tom, Jeny or Jenny, Peter, Cato, Great Cato, Little Moll, Moll, Judy, Adam, Hanah, Nann, and Lilley.
In the Name of God Amen I John Read of the County of Culpeper being Sick and Weak of body But of perfect minde and Memory prase God but knowing the Uncertainty of this Mortel Life Do in the firstplace Bequeath my Sole unto Almighty God who gave it Trusting thro the Merits and Intercession of my blessed Saviour to Recive pardon and remission of all my Sins and as touching all my Worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I Give an Dispose of the Same in Manner Following Viz: my will and Desire is that my Just Debts & funeral Charges be first paid.
Item. I lend unto beloved Wife Winifred During her natural life, the Following slaves to wit Tom & Jeny and after her Decease I Give the said Nigroe Tom unto my beloved Son Theophilus and his heirs forever and the s.d Negroe Jenny I Give after the Decease of my Said Wife unto My Son John Read and his heirs forever.7
Item I leave and bequeath unto my daughter Mary (now Dec.d who was the wife of Joseph Norman) & to her heirs one shilling Current Money.8
Item I lend unto my beloved Son John Read one negro Boy Peter in trust upon this Special proviso that after the Said Slave arrives to the age of Sixteen Years my Said son John Shall allow and pay unto my daughter Winifred the wife of John Shackeford in Nessray Clothing and Apparel the Sum of Six pounds Current Money (to be laid out the best advantage yearly and every year during both the lives of the said Winifred & Negro Peter aforesaid)[.] Nevertheless if the said Winifred Winifred [sic] Should out live her said husband then I Give the said Negro Peter, to her and her heirs but if She Should die before her said husband, then I Give the said Negro Peter to My said son John Read & his heirs forevers.
Item I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth the wife of Stephen Jett one Gold Ring.
Item I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Son John Read one Negro Boy Cato to him and heirs forever. Also I Give my Said John by Great Black Walnut Chest.
Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved Son Hankerson and to his heirs forever the Land Whereon he now lives with all the Stocks tools thereon also the Following Slaves to wit Great Cato & Little Moll.
Item I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Son Theophilus one Negro Woman Moll & one negro Girl Judy to him & his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved Son James one negro Man Adam one negro Woman Hanah & one Child Nann to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto the Children of my daughter Ann (the wife of Hugh Freeman) which she hath or may have to be equally divided between them at the Death of my Said Daughter Ann One negro Girl Lilley and her Increase One Feather bed and furniture and one Cow & calf the whole being now in the possession of the said Hugh Freeman.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Granddaughter Mary Norman and Feather bed & furniture & Cow and Calf.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Sons John and Hankerson my Cart wheals and whip Saw reserving to my wife the use of the Wheels During her life.
Item I lend the use of the plantation & lott whereon I now live with all the house hold furniture Stocks & Tools of all kinds (not before bequeathed) unto Beloved wife Winifred During her Natural life and After her Dec.d I Give the Same to be equally divided between my two Sons Theophilus and James & their heirs forever.
Item It is my Desire that if in Case any thing Should be Recovered of William Eastham & others at the General Court Concerning a Debt my Self and Mr. Jett paid for Stephen Jett, I give my proportion of what Shall be Recovered to be equally divided between the Children of Stephen Jett by my Daughter Elizabeth.
Lastly I do appoint my beloved Sons John Read & Hankerson Read Exors of my Last will & Testament hereby Revoking all other and former Will or Wills By me made In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Seventeenth day of August One Thousand Seven Hundred & Sixty five.
John Read (L. S.)
Signed Sealed Published & Declared by
the said John Read to be his last Will
and Testament in present of
James Pendleton
Humphay Spareks
Peter Bohmer. (Culpeper County, Will Book A, 1749-70, Reel 31, 402-405).
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
The Will of Mary Lilly Reade of York County, Virginia, 1722
Mary Lilly was the wife of Robert Reade. Her will was proven 20 November 1722, in York County, Virginia. The copy was later damaged. She willed slaves to her heirs: an unnamed Molatto Boy, Will, and Hill, Sarah, ______lina, and others whose names are lost.
The following is a transcription of what remained legible:
In the name . . . parish in ye County of York . . . Sense and memory do make my . . . her and form following Imprs I give . . . y body to ye earth from whence it came to be . . . discretion of my Exr hereafter to be named . . . large silver Tankard to my loving son . . . and bequeath my small silver tankard and to . . . loving son Samuel Read Item I give . . . silver poringer one silver tumbler and 6 six silver spoons . . . son Francis Read Item I give and bequeath my . . . Tweedlum and 20 shillings to buy a Ring to my loving daught . . . th. Item I give and bequeath one Molatto Boy . . . ks to my loving son Samuel Read Item I give . . . negro boy named Will and one negro boy named Hill to . . . Francis Read to him and his heirs Item I give a . . . Granddaughter Mary Nelson one negro man named . . . and one negro woman named Sarah and one negro . . . lina to her and her heirs in case she// dies without he . . . ll is that her brother John and his heirs have ye said t . . . I give and bequeath to my grandson Wm. Nelson one T . . . n after my first debts and funeral expenses are . . . rden part of my estate which is not already given and bequ . . . ally divided among my three sons viz: John . . . Francis but in case either of them die without heirs . . . dying be equally divided among ye surviving Item I nominate . . . point my loving son John Read my whole and sol exr of this . . . and testament revoking all other wills heretofore by me made . . . ppoint and desire Mr Benj and Mr. Thomas Reade to be Trustees . . . will; in witness whereof I have set my hand 26 Nov 1722. Mary Reade. (York County Deeds, Orders, Wills etc., 16, 1720-1729, Reel 8, 165)
The following is a transcription of what remained legible:
In the name . . . parish in ye County of York . . . Sense and memory do make my . . . her and form following Imprs I give . . . y body to ye earth from whence it came to be . . . discretion of my Exr hereafter to be named . . . large silver Tankard to my loving son . . . and bequeath my small silver tankard and to . . . loving son Samuel Read Item I give . . . silver poringer one silver tumbler and 6 six silver spoons . . . son Francis Read Item I give and bequeath my . . . Tweedlum and 20 shillings to buy a Ring to my loving daught . . . th. Item I give and bequeath one Molatto Boy . . . ks to my loving son Samuel Read Item I give . . . negro boy named Will and one negro boy named Hill to . . . Francis Read to him and his heirs Item I give a . . . Granddaughter Mary Nelson one negro man named . . . and one negro woman named Sarah and one negro . . . lina to her and her heirs in case she// dies without he . . . ll is that her brother John and his heirs have ye said t . . . I give and bequeath to my grandson Wm. Nelson one T . . . n after my first debts and funeral expenses are . . . rden part of my estate which is not already given and bequ . . . ally divided among my three sons viz: John . . . Francis but in case either of them die without heirs . . . dying be equally divided among ye surviving Item I nominate . . . point my loving son John Read my whole and sol exr of this . . . and testament revoking all other wills heretofore by me made . . . ppoint and desire Mr Benj and Mr. Thomas Reade to be Trustees . . . will; in witness whereof I have set my hand 26 Nov 1722. Mary Reade. (York County Deeds, Orders, Wills etc., 16, 1720-1729, Reel 8, 165)
Monday, March 5, 2018
The Will of Robert Reade of York County, Virginia, 1712
Robert Reade was a planter, a burgess, and a justice in York County Virginia. His will was written 30 December 1712 and proved 16 March 1712/3 York County Court, Virginia. Also present at that court were justices Lawrence Smith and Thomas Nelson, both named in the will.
In the Name of God Amen I Robert Reade of York County in York Hampton Parish being of perfect mind & memory do make this my last Will & Testament in manner as followes, makeing Void all former Wills by me made, declaring this to be my last Will & Testament. First I Give & bequeth my Soul to God my Creator, & my body I Give to the Earth to be decently buried: And for the worldly Estate it has pleased God to bestow on me I give & bequeth in manner as followes. Item I Give & Bequeth unto my son Thomas Reade & his heyres for Ever my Three half acres or or [sic] Lots of Land lying & being in York Town with all houses and Profitts thereto belonging, also a Parcell of Land joyning thereto by Estimation five acres be it more or less, wch Land I bought of my brother Thomas Reade. And in Case my sd Son Thomas doth deceace in his Monority or without isshew lawfully begotten, then my will is that my daughter Mildred Reade & her heyres for Ever have have [sic] & ienjoy all the aforesd Lands & premises. Item I Give & bequeth my Land wch I lately bought of my Son Jno: Reade being in St Stephans Parish in King & Queen County Containing Seven hundred forty & fore Acres more or less to be Equally devided between my Three Sons George, Samuel & Francis Reade & there heyres for Ever. And if any of my sd Three Sons George, Samuel or Francis shall deceace in there menority or without Isshew lawfully begotten, then my Will is that his or there part of ye aforesd Land shall be Equally devided between the Survivers or any of there heyres. And I do hereby impower & Ernestly request my loving freinds [sic] Mr. Jno: Baylor, Mr. Thos: Nelson, Capt: Lawre: Smith, my brothers Benjn: & Tho: Reade, and my Son Jno: Reade or any three of them as soon as my son George shall cum to ye Age of Twenty & One Years, that then they my aforesd freinds, doe devide ye afresd Land into three Equall parts, & that Each part as much as much [sic] as can con:veniently be have a proportionable part of Plantable Land or Timber, my Son George to have ye first Choyce, of ye sd parts of Land, my Son Samuel to have the the [sic] next Choyce & the other part to remain for my Son Francis & that this sd devision be put upon ye Records of King & Queen Cont. Item I Give & bequeth to my loving wife Mary Reade & her heyres for Ever Two Nego Men named Grinig & Jeffery, Two Negro women named Jeney & B___ with all there increase they shall have after ye date of this my Will, & one Malatto Man named Harry. Item I Give & bequeth to my daughter Margaret Nelson & her heyres for Ever One Negro Man named Will, One Negro woman named Abo Hannah & one Negro girl named Grace wth all ye increse they shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item I give & bequeth to my Son Jno: Reade Twenty Shillings Currt. Money being all I intend he shall have of my Estate Reel or personal, he having an Estate in Land & Otherwayes far greater than I am able to give to any of my other Children. Item I Give & bequeth to my Son Thomas Reade & his heyres for Ever One Malatto Man named Dick Brookes, one Negro woman named Beck and one Negro woman named Nimeno wth all ye increase they shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item I Give & bequeth to my Daughter Mildred Reade & her heyres for Ever One Negro Man named Peter, One servant boy named James Hanson—bound by ye Churchwardens to serve to ye Age of One & Thirty years & Ten pounds Currt: Money. Also One Negro woman named Brigget wth all the increase she shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item I Give & bequeth to my Son George Reade & his heyres for Ever One Negro boy named Tony, One Negro Man named Boy Will & One Negro girl named Bettie wth all ye increase she shall have after the date of this my Will. Item I Give & bequeth to my Son Samuel Reade & his heyres for Ever One Negro boy named Ned, One Negro boy named Pemey & One Negro girl naed Jone wth all ye increae she shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item I give & bequeth to my Son Francis Reade & his heyes for Ever One Servant boy named Richard Hanson bound by ye Churchwardens to Serve to ye Age of Thirty & One years, One Negro boy named Rinig, One Negro boy named Frank & One Negro girl named Sue with all ye increase she shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item it is my Will that within Three months after my deceace all my Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever being not already bequeathed be appraised by fore, honest, understanding men appoynted by ye Corte & Sworn & after my debts & legacies be paide, ye Remainder by devided into Twenty & Three Equall parts, five parts thereof I give to my loving wife Mary, & ye other Eighteen parts to be Equally devided . . . between my six Children Margaret, Thomas, Mildred, George, Samuel, & Francis or ye Survivers of them or any of there heyres, & that an Inventory of ye Appraisemt: & what Each Childs part is be put upon ye Records of York Cont. Item It is my will that if any of my aforesd: Children, Vizt Margaret, Thomas, Mildred, George, Samuel or Francis shall decease in menority or without Isshew lawfully begotten, in such Case his or there part so deceaceing both Negros & all other Estate whatsoever shall be Equally devided among the Survivers or any of there heyres. Item it is my Will that if Corn & other provission that shall be made & ye Goods that shall be sent for or in ye house at ye time of my deceace which are actually for wearing apparrel shall not be inventoried nor brought to the aforsaid appraisemt: but shall be made uce of for the Cloathing the family & farther support thereof. Item it is my will that when my Children cum to Age, if it be in Crop. time then such of my Children wth there Estates shall stay with whom they shall live with untill ye Christmas following & that then they with there Negroes or other Servants be well Cloathed & have for themselves & Negroes or other Servants Each of them Three barrels: of Indian Corn & that there Negros or other Servants carry away with them such beding as they then shall have. Item I do by these Presents fully impower & make my loving wife Mary Sole Execex of this my last Will & Testament to doe Execute & perform all things herein Exprest according to the true intent & meaning thereof. Lastly I do Nominate, Appoynt, and Make my loving brother Mr. Thomas Reade, my loving Capn: Capt. [sic] Lawrence Smith & my Son in law Mr Thomas Nelson Overseers of this my Will to See the same be performed according to the true meaning thereof. In Wittness whereof I have hereto Sett my hand & Seale this 30th day of Decemr 1712
Robt: Reade
Signed, Sealed & Acknowledged in the presence of us
William Allen
Thomas Webster
Basel (his mark) Wagstaff
(York County, Orders, Wills. Etc., 1709-1716, Reel 6, 236, 241-243).
On 18 May 1713, an inventory for the estate was presented, including slaves Grinidge, Jeffery, Will, Boy Will, Harry, Dick, Peter, Ned, Tony, Jemmy, Grinny, Jenny, Bess, Hannah, Beck, Bridget, Nemonah, Betty, Jone, Sue, Grace, Sarah, and James and Richard Hanson, indented [sic] Mulattoes (York County, Orders, Wills, Etc., No. 14, 1709-1716, Reel 6, 253).
In the Name of God Amen I Robert Reade of York County in York Hampton Parish being of perfect mind & memory do make this my last Will & Testament in manner as followes, makeing Void all former Wills by me made, declaring this to be my last Will & Testament. First I Give & bequeth my Soul to God my Creator, & my body I Give to the Earth to be decently buried: And for the worldly Estate it has pleased God to bestow on me I give & bequeth in manner as followes. Item I Give & Bequeth unto my son Thomas Reade & his heyres for Ever my Three half acres or or [sic] Lots of Land lying & being in York Town with all houses and Profitts thereto belonging, also a Parcell of Land joyning thereto by Estimation five acres be it more or less, wch Land I bought of my brother Thomas Reade. And in Case my sd Son Thomas doth deceace in his Monority or without isshew lawfully begotten, then my will is that my daughter Mildred Reade & her heyres for Ever have have [sic] & ienjoy all the aforesd Lands & premises. Item I Give & bequeth my Land wch I lately bought of my Son Jno: Reade being in St Stephans Parish in King & Queen County Containing Seven hundred forty & fore Acres more or less to be Equally devided between my Three Sons George, Samuel & Francis Reade & there heyres for Ever. And if any of my sd Three Sons George, Samuel or Francis shall deceace in there menority or without Isshew lawfully begotten, then my Will is that his or there part of ye aforesd Land shall be Equally devided between the Survivers or any of there heyres. And I do hereby impower & Ernestly request my loving freinds [sic] Mr. Jno: Baylor, Mr. Thos: Nelson, Capt: Lawre: Smith, my brothers Benjn: & Tho: Reade, and my Son Jno: Reade or any three of them as soon as my son George shall cum to ye Age of Twenty & One Years, that then they my aforesd freinds, doe devide ye afresd Land into three Equall parts, & that Each part as much as much [sic] as can con:veniently be have a proportionable part of Plantable Land or Timber, my Son George to have ye first Choyce, of ye sd parts of Land, my Son Samuel to have the the [sic] next Choyce & the other part to remain for my Son Francis & that this sd devision be put upon ye Records of King & Queen Cont. Item I Give & bequeth to my loving wife Mary Reade & her heyres for Ever Two Nego Men named Grinig & Jeffery, Two Negro women named Jeney & B___ with all there increase they shall have after ye date of this my Will, & one Malatto Man named Harry. Item I Give & bequeth to my daughter Margaret Nelson & her heyres for Ever One Negro Man named Will, One Negro woman named Abo Hannah & one Negro girl named Grace wth all ye increse they shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item I give & bequeth to my Son Jno: Reade Twenty Shillings Currt. Money being all I intend he shall have of my Estate Reel or personal, he having an Estate in Land & Otherwayes far greater than I am able to give to any of my other Children. Item I Give & bequeth to my Son Thomas Reade & his heyres for Ever One Malatto Man named Dick Brookes, one Negro woman named Beck and one Negro woman named Nimeno wth all ye increase they shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item I Give & bequeth to my Daughter Mildred Reade & her heyres for Ever One Negro Man named Peter, One servant boy named James Hanson—bound by ye Churchwardens to serve to ye Age of One & Thirty years & Ten pounds Currt: Money. Also One Negro woman named Brigget wth all the increase she shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item I Give & bequeth to my Son George Reade & his heyres for Ever One Negro boy named Tony, One Negro Man named Boy Will & One Negro girl named Bettie wth all ye increase she shall have after the date of this my Will. Item I Give & bequeth to my Son Samuel Reade & his heyres for Ever One Negro boy named Ned, One Negro boy named Pemey & One Negro girl naed Jone wth all ye increae she shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item I give & bequeth to my Son Francis Reade & his heyes for Ever One Servant boy named Richard Hanson bound by ye Churchwardens to Serve to ye Age of Thirty & One years, One Negro boy named Rinig, One Negro boy named Frank & One Negro girl named Sue with all ye increase she shall have after ye date of this my Will. Item it is my Will that within Three months after my deceace all my Goods, Chattels and Estate whatsoever being not already bequeathed be appraised by fore, honest, understanding men appoynted by ye Corte & Sworn & after my debts & legacies be paide, ye Remainder by devided into Twenty & Three Equall parts, five parts thereof I give to my loving wife Mary, & ye other Eighteen parts to be Equally devided . . . between my six Children Margaret, Thomas, Mildred, George, Samuel, & Francis or ye Survivers of them or any of there heyres, & that an Inventory of ye Appraisemt: & what Each Childs part is be put upon ye Records of York Cont. Item It is my will that if any of my aforesd: Children, Vizt Margaret, Thomas, Mildred, George, Samuel or Francis shall decease in menority or without Isshew lawfully begotten, in such Case his or there part so deceaceing both Negros & all other Estate whatsoever shall be Equally devided among the Survivers or any of there heyres. Item it is my Will that if Corn & other provission that shall be made & ye Goods that shall be sent for or in ye house at ye time of my deceace which are actually for wearing apparrel shall not be inventoried nor brought to the aforsaid appraisemt: but shall be made uce of for the Cloathing the family & farther support thereof. Item it is my will that when my Children cum to Age, if it be in Crop. time then such of my Children wth there Estates shall stay with whom they shall live with untill ye Christmas following & that then they with there Negroes or other Servants be well Cloathed & have for themselves & Negroes or other Servants Each of them Three barrels: of Indian Corn & that there Negros or other Servants carry away with them such beding as they then shall have. Item I do by these Presents fully impower & make my loving wife Mary Sole Execex of this my last Will & Testament to doe Execute & perform all things herein Exprest according to the true intent & meaning thereof. Lastly I do Nominate, Appoynt, and Make my loving brother Mr. Thomas Reade, my loving Capn: Capt. [sic] Lawrence Smith & my Son in law Mr Thomas Nelson Overseers of this my Will to See the same be performed according to the true meaning thereof. In Wittness whereof I have hereto Sett my hand & Seale this 30th day of Decemr 1712
Robt: Reade
Signed, Sealed & Acknowledged in the presence of us
William Allen
Thomas Webster
Basel (his mark) Wagstaff
(York County, Orders, Wills. Etc., 1709-1716, Reel 6, 236, 241-243).
On 18 May 1713, an inventory for the estate was presented, including slaves Grinidge, Jeffery, Will, Boy Will, Harry, Dick, Peter, Ned, Tony, Jemmy, Grinny, Jenny, Bess, Hannah, Beck, Bridget, Nemonah, Betty, Jone, Sue, Grace, Sarah, and James and Richard Hanson, indented [sic] Mulattoes (York County, Orders, Wills, Etc., No. 14, 1709-1716, Reel 6, 253).
Monday, February 26, 2018
The Will of Elizabeth Martiau Reade of York County, Virginia, 1685
Elizabeth Martiau Reade was the daughter of Capt. Nicolas Martiau and his wife Jane; Elizabeth married Col. George Reade. She was born around 1625, and made her will February 10, 1685, York County, Virginia:
In the name of God, Amen: the 10th day of ffebruary in the year of o’r Lord God one Thousand six hundred eighty and five I Elizabeth Reade of York parish in the County of York being weake in body, but of good and p’fect memory, Thanks be to Almighty God, Calling to Remembrance the uncertain Estate of this transitory life, And that all fflesh must yielde unto Death, when it shall please God to Call, Doe make constitute ordaine and declare This my last Will and Testament In manner and form following Revoking and Anulling by these presents, All and any Testament or Testaments, Will and Wills heretofore made by me and declared either by word or writing, and this is to be taken for my last Will, and Testament and none other, and first being penitent and sorry from the bottom of my heart for any sins past, most humbly desireing for forgiveness for the same, I give and commit my soule unto Almighty God my Saviour and Redemer in whom and by the meritts of Jesus Christ, I trust and believe assuredly to be saved, and that my soule with my body att the Generall Day of Resurrection shall rise again with Joye, and through the meritts of Christ’s Death and passion inheritt the Kingdom of heaven prepared for his Elect, and my body to be decently buryed where and in such place as my sonn Robert Reade shall appoint,
And for the settling my Temporall Estate, such goods, Cattle, Chattells and debts as it hath pleased God farr above my deserts to bestown upon me, I doe order give and dispose of in manner and forme ffollowing, that is to say, that all my Debts, and dues that I owe in Right or conscience to any manner of p’son or p’sons whatsoever, be truly paid in convenient time after my Decease, by my Executor hereafter named.
Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my sonn Robert Reade, one Negro man named Peter and Brigitt his wife, and one mollotta boy named Dick, one negro woman named Tony, one ffrench Nickolice Morell, and one woman servant named Mary Jane Tisso, the Said negroes I give unto my said sonn Robert with their increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Ffrancis Reade, one negro man named Sandy one negro woman named Bess, one negro boy named Peter with their increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Benjamine Reade one negro named Will and Jane his wife with their increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Reade one negro man named Jeffry Nimino his wife with her child, a Boy named Tom, and one negro boy named Will also one negro man named Jack my said son Thomas Reade Shipping tobacco for England until he hath paid the full summ of twenty five pounds unto my Executor after named, provided itt be not paid before my decease, the said negroes, I give unto my said sonn Thomas with their increase. Itm. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Chisman one negro Woman named Kate, one negro woman named Pegg with her child a Mollatta Girle named Dina with their Increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Mildred Chisman one negro Girle named Murriah with her Increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Eliz. Chisman one negro Girle named Hannah with her increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Benjamin the ffeather bed I lye on with the furniture belonging to itt three pairs of sheets three silver spoons three peuter Dishes and one Iron pott.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Thomas good ffeather and furniture three pairs of Sheets, three silver spoons three peuter Dishes and one Iron pott.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my Daughters Elizabeth Chisman and Mary Reade all my wearing Apparill to be Equally Divided between them.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Benjamin one young mare of three or fouer years old.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Thomas one young mare of three or fouer years old.
Itm. I give unto my son Benjamin two cows of ffouer years old and one heafer with his pportion of the stock of Cattle which belonged unto his Brother George Reade Dec’d according to ye Division already made.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mildred Warner the mourning Ring I usually ware.
Itm. My Will and desire is that all such servants Cattle and other movables as shall belonge unto my sonns Benjamin and Thomas Read as before mentioned Remaine and be in the care and custody of my sonn Robert Reade until my said two sonns Benjamin and Thomas come to the age of one and twenty years, allowing my said two sonns such necessaries apparell as they shall have occasion for Duerring there nonage to be allowed out of the pp’itss of their ffore menconed Servants Labors, also my will and desire is that my sonn Robert Reade when my two sonns Benjamin and Thomas doe come to age and Reaceive their Estates, that then they have allowed to each of them by my said sonn Robert, Corn sufficient for one year’s provision for them selves and servants and all their servants sufficiently cloathed.
Itm. My Will and desire is that if itt should please God to take to himself either of my two youngest sonns Benjamin or Thomas before they come to the full age of one and twenty years, That then the Survivor to Injoye and posses whatsoever is given and bequeathed to him that is Deceased, but if itt Should please God that both my said to youngest sonns should Dye before they cum to Age as aforesaid that then my sonns Robert and ffrancis Reade doe posses and injoye whatsoever is given and bequeathed unto my two Sonns Benjamin and Thomas to be equally Divided between them.
Itm. It is my will and Desire and I doe hereby give and bequeath unto my son Robert Reade all my Stock of Cattle sheep, horses, hoggs, goods Chattles, Debts, bills mdse and accounts whatsoever is may or shall be or belong to me nott being already bequeathed to any p’son before expressed. In this my last Will and Testament, nominating appointing and declaring my well beloved Sonn Robert Read the Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament.
It is my Will and Desire that my well beloved Sonn Mr. Thomas Chisman, Mr. Edward Noss and Mr. Thomas Barbar be overseers to See that this my last Will and Testament be Carefully and Truly pperformed.
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
David Condon Tho. Periman Charles his X mark A. Allen Elizabeth Reade (X) Seale
Jan’ury the 24th 1686-7.
In the name of God, Amen: the 10th day of ffebruary in the year of o’r Lord God one Thousand six hundred eighty and five I Elizabeth Reade of York parish in the County of York being weake in body, but of good and p’fect memory, Thanks be to Almighty God, Calling to Remembrance the uncertain Estate of this transitory life, And that all fflesh must yielde unto Death, when it shall please God to Call, Doe make constitute ordaine and declare This my last Will and Testament In manner and form following Revoking and Anulling by these presents, All and any Testament or Testaments, Will and Wills heretofore made by me and declared either by word or writing, and this is to be taken for my last Will, and Testament and none other, and first being penitent and sorry from the bottom of my heart for any sins past, most humbly desireing for forgiveness for the same, I give and commit my soule unto Almighty God my Saviour and Redemer in whom and by the meritts of Jesus Christ, I trust and believe assuredly to be saved, and that my soule with my body att the Generall Day of Resurrection shall rise again with Joye, and through the meritts of Christ’s Death and passion inheritt the Kingdom of heaven prepared for his Elect, and my body to be decently buryed where and in such place as my sonn Robert Reade shall appoint,
And for the settling my Temporall Estate, such goods, Cattle, Chattells and debts as it hath pleased God farr above my deserts to bestown upon me, I doe order give and dispose of in manner and forme ffollowing, that is to say, that all my Debts, and dues that I owe in Right or conscience to any manner of p’son or p’sons whatsoever, be truly paid in convenient time after my Decease, by my Executor hereafter named.
Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my sonn Robert Reade, one Negro man named Peter and Brigitt his wife, and one mollotta boy named Dick, one negro woman named Tony, one ffrench Nickolice Morell, and one woman servant named Mary Jane Tisso, the Said negroes I give unto my said sonn Robert with their increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Ffrancis Reade, one negro man named Sandy one negro woman named Bess, one negro boy named Peter with their increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Benjamine Reade one negro named Will and Jane his wife with their increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Reade one negro man named Jeffry Nimino his wife with her child, a Boy named Tom, and one negro boy named Will also one negro man named Jack my said son Thomas Reade Shipping tobacco for England until he hath paid the full summ of twenty five pounds unto my Executor after named, provided itt be not paid before my decease, the said negroes, I give unto my said sonn Thomas with their increase. Itm. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Chisman one negro Woman named Kate, one negro woman named Pegg with her child a Mollatta Girle named Dina with their Increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Mildred Chisman one negro Girle named Murriah with her Increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Eliz. Chisman one negro Girle named Hannah with her increase.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Benjamin the ffeather bed I lye on with the furniture belonging to itt three pairs of sheets three silver spoons three peuter Dishes and one Iron pott.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Thomas good ffeather and furniture three pairs of Sheets, three silver spoons three peuter Dishes and one Iron pott.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my Daughters Elizabeth Chisman and Mary Reade all my wearing Apparill to be Equally Divided between them.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Benjamin one young mare of three or fouer years old.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my sonn Thomas one young mare of three or fouer years old.
Itm. I give unto my son Benjamin two cows of ffouer years old and one heafer with his pportion of the stock of Cattle which belonged unto his Brother George Reade Dec’d according to ye Division already made.
Itm. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mildred Warner the mourning Ring I usually ware.
Itm. My Will and desire is that all such servants Cattle and other movables as shall belonge unto my sonns Benjamin and Thomas Read as before mentioned Remaine and be in the care and custody of my sonn Robert Reade until my said two sonns Benjamin and Thomas come to the age of one and twenty years, allowing my said two sonns such necessaries apparell as they shall have occasion for Duerring there nonage to be allowed out of the pp’itss of their ffore menconed Servants Labors, also my will and desire is that my sonn Robert Reade when my two sonns Benjamin and Thomas doe come to age and Reaceive their Estates, that then they have allowed to each of them by my said sonn Robert, Corn sufficient for one year’s provision for them selves and servants and all their servants sufficiently cloathed.
Itm. My Will and desire is that if itt should please God to take to himself either of my two youngest sonns Benjamin or Thomas before they come to the full age of one and twenty years, That then the Survivor to Injoye and posses whatsoever is given and bequeathed to him that is Deceased, but if itt Should please God that both my said to youngest sonns should Dye before they cum to Age as aforesaid that then my sonns Robert and ffrancis Reade doe posses and injoye whatsoever is given and bequeathed unto my two Sonns Benjamin and Thomas to be equally Divided between them.
Itm. It is my will and Desire and I doe hereby give and bequeath unto my son Robert Reade all my Stock of Cattle sheep, horses, hoggs, goods Chattles, Debts, bills mdse and accounts whatsoever is may or shall be or belong to me nott being already bequeathed to any p’son before expressed. In this my last Will and Testament, nominating appointing and declaring my well beloved Sonn Robert Read the Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament.
It is my Will and Desire that my well beloved Sonn Mr. Thomas Chisman, Mr. Edward Noss and Mr. Thomas Barbar be overseers to See that this my last Will and Testament be Carefully and Truly pperformed.
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
David Condon Tho. Periman Charles his X mark A. Allen Elizabeth Reade (X) Seale
Jan’ury the 24th 1686-7.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
The Will of Nicholas Martiau of York County, Virginia 1656
My ancestor Nicholas Martiau was a slaveholder; he also was one of the first in Virginia to free his slaves when he wrote his will in 1656.
He was born in Île de Ré, an island off the coast of France. Some have claimed that Martiau may have had African ancestry himself, perhaps from early Moorish invasions of Europe.
He was a Huguenot engineer sent by Henry Hastings, Lord Huntingdon, to build fortifications in the Virginia Colony. In 1635, he became one of the first American patriots when he was involved in the ousting of Governor John Harvey, who was subsequently reinstated by the king.
His descendants include President George Washington and Queen Elizabeth II.
From 1635 to 1639, Martiau acquired land patents for property that would become the site of Yorktown. Ironically, the British surrender to his descendant George Washington took place on land that had belonged to Martiau at Yorktown.
His will was written 1 March 1656. The following is my transcription:
I, Nicholas Martian, of the County and Parrish of York Gent: being very sick and weak in body But of Sound and perfect memorie blessed be God doe make ordaine Constitute and appoint this my Last Will and Testament in manner and forme as following Revoakeing annuling & making void and by these presents Cancelling & disclaimeing all & all manner of former & other Will or Wills written or Noncupative all Codicells Legacyes & bequests whatever by me att any time before the ensealeing of this my Last Will made signed & sealed or otherwaies by word of mouth of [sic] made & delivered; And appoint this onily to stand & be my Last Will and Testamit as followeth—
Ffirst I be-queath my Soule into the hands of God my maker hopeing & assueredly believeing that when this life shall end I shall through the merrits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer to injoy everlasting Rest and happiness And my Body to the Earth from whence itt came to be decently buried—
Item for that Estate which almighty God hath been plea-sed to lend me in this world I hereby give bequeath & dispose thereof in manner & forme followeing—
Item I give and bequeath to my Eldest Daughter Elizabeth wife of George Read Esq & the heires of her body begotten or to be begotten for ever all that my Divydent of land scituate lying and being in the sd. Parrish and county of York Except as hereunder excepted) with all houses and appurtenances—
Item I give and be-queath to my Daughter Mary Scarsbrook wife of John Scars-brook soe much of my sd. Divydent of Land in York Parrish as is scituate and lying beyound the Swamp (vizt) on the Southward side of that Swamp called commonly Broccas Swamp upon part of which the said John is now seated to be held by the sd. Mary & her heires lawfully begotten & to be be-gotten for ever wth. Th appurtenances—
Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Read and her heires for ever my old Mare wth. her whole increase male & female to her and heires except the first Mare foal She shall bring after my decease which I hereby give & bequeath wth. the whole increase thereof to my Daughtr. Sarah wife of Capt. Fuller &—her heirs for ever
Item I give and bequeath to my Loveing Daughter Mary Scars-brook & her heires for ever the Mare Ffoale now running wth. my Mare wth. whole Increase Male & Ffemale—
Item I give and bequeath to my Loveing Daughter Elizabeth Read my watch—
Item I give to my said Daughter Elizabeth and her heires my Grey Gelding but my Sonn John Sca[r]sbrook to make use of him for his occasions—Two yeares after my decease when he shall desyre the Same—
Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Fuller wife of Capt. William Ffuller above named and to her heires for ever all that my Divyd ent of land lying in Potomack and conteyneing Two Thousand Acres But in Case itt shall not be seated by some of them (vizt) Capt. Fuller or his said wife or heires att least one month before expiration of time limitted by the Pattent for seateing then the same to be made Sale of Executrixes hereunder named & the produce thereof to be equally dyvyded betweene my said Three loveing Daughters for the good of them & their children—
Item my Will is that within one yeare after my decease all Cattle now in my possession marked wth. my Daughte’s Ffullers mark shall be delivered for the good her and her Children. And I doe alsoe give and bequath to her and her heires for ever ten Cowes more out of my Stock or to be bought out of my Estate with their whole increase, Male and Ffemale, and alsoe a Bull to be delivered within a yeare as abovesaid.
Item I give to my loving sonn George Read Esq. all my weareing apparell except my stuff suite and Coate and new Dimity Caster which I hereby bequeath to my Sonn John Scarsbrook and also Will that Ffive pounds ready money] now lying by me be equally divyded betweene my said Two Son in Lawes—
Item my will that at finishing the next Crop after my Debts are Satisfied my Two Negroes Phill & Nicholas shall be free & that each of them have then deliverd by my Ex-ecutrxes. One Cow & Three Barrells of Corne Cloathes, and also Maybe to build them a house but they or either of them shall hire themselves after their Said Ffreedome or before or Shall remove from the Land here under appointed them then they or he Soe doeing to returne to my Executrices for the good of them and their Children And my Will is that they have land sufficient for themselves to plant in the field where William Leigh lived for their lives or the life of the longer liver of them—
Item I give and bequeath to Hugh Roy lately my Servt. one Three Yeare old Heifer with her increase to be delivered on demand after my decease—
Item I give and bequeth to my abovenamed Two Loveing Daughters. Elizabeth Read and Mary Scarsbrook for the good of themselves & their Children All the rest of my Estate whatsoever in Virginia or elsewhere to be equally divyded be-tweene them but this Divysyon not to be made untill all my Debts & Legacyes be Satisfied which Said severall Debts are to be paid out of the part of my Estate as is given to my said Two daughters. & their Children without any Charge to my Daughter Sarah or her heires.—
Item Lastly, I doe by these presents nominate & appoint & Confirm my two beloved Daughters. Elizabeth and Mary Joint Executrixes of this my Last Will & Testament to see that same performed and kept And in Confirmation of this my Said Last Will and Testament & of every matter Clause & thing therein conteyned I have hereto sett my hand and Seale this First day of March One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty Six.
Nicholas Martian
Sealed & Signed in the presence of us
Nicholas Trott
Tho: Ballard
(York County, Deeds, Orders, Wills, No. 1, 1633-1657, 1691-1694, Reel 1, 337-339.)
He was born in Île de Ré, an island off the coast of France. Some have claimed that Martiau may have had African ancestry himself, perhaps from early Moorish invasions of Europe.
He was a Huguenot engineer sent by Henry Hastings, Lord Huntingdon, to build fortifications in the Virginia Colony. In 1635, he became one of the first American patriots when he was involved in the ousting of Governor John Harvey, who was subsequently reinstated by the king.
His descendants include President George Washington and Queen Elizabeth II.
From 1635 to 1639, Martiau acquired land patents for property that would become the site of Yorktown. Ironically, the British surrender to his descendant George Washington took place on land that had belonged to Martiau at Yorktown.
His will was written 1 March 1656. The following is my transcription:
I, Nicholas Martian, of the County and Parrish of York Gent: being very sick and weak in body But of Sound and perfect memorie blessed be God doe make ordaine Constitute and appoint this my Last Will and Testament in manner and forme as following Revoakeing annuling & making void and by these presents Cancelling & disclaimeing all & all manner of former & other Will or Wills written or Noncupative all Codicells Legacyes & bequests whatever by me att any time before the ensealeing of this my Last Will made signed & sealed or otherwaies by word of mouth of [sic] made & delivered; And appoint this onily to stand & be my Last Will and Testamit as followeth—
Ffirst I be-queath my Soule into the hands of God my maker hopeing & assueredly believeing that when this life shall end I shall through the merrits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer to injoy everlasting Rest and happiness And my Body to the Earth from whence itt came to be decently buried—
Item for that Estate which almighty God hath been plea-sed to lend me in this world I hereby give bequeath & dispose thereof in manner & forme followeing—
Item I give and bequeath to my Eldest Daughter Elizabeth wife of George Read Esq & the heires of her body begotten or to be begotten for ever all that my Divydent of land scituate lying and being in the sd. Parrish and county of York Except as hereunder excepted) with all houses and appurtenances—
Item I give and be-queath to my Daughter Mary Scarsbrook wife of John Scars-brook soe much of my sd. Divydent of Land in York Parrish as is scituate and lying beyound the Swamp (vizt) on the Southward side of that Swamp called commonly Broccas Swamp upon part of which the said John is now seated to be held by the sd. Mary & her heires lawfully begotten & to be be-gotten for ever wth. Th appurtenances—
Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Read and her heires for ever my old Mare wth. her whole increase male & female to her and heires except the first Mare foal She shall bring after my decease which I hereby give & bequeath wth. the whole increase thereof to my Daughtr. Sarah wife of Capt. Fuller &—her heirs for ever
Item I give and bequeath to my Loveing Daughter Mary Scars-brook & her heires for ever the Mare Ffoale now running wth. my Mare wth. whole Increase Male & Ffemale—
Item I give and bequeath to my Loveing Daughter Elizabeth Read my watch—
Item I give to my said Daughter Elizabeth and her heires my Grey Gelding but my Sonn John Sca[r]sbrook to make use of him for his occasions—Two yeares after my decease when he shall desyre the Same—
Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Fuller wife of Capt. William Ffuller above named and to her heires for ever all that my Divyd ent of land lying in Potomack and conteyneing Two Thousand Acres But in Case itt shall not be seated by some of them (vizt) Capt. Fuller or his said wife or heires att least one month before expiration of time limitted by the Pattent for seateing then the same to be made Sale of Executrixes hereunder named & the produce thereof to be equally dyvyded betweene my said Three loveing Daughters for the good of them & their children—
Item my Will is that within one yeare after my decease all Cattle now in my possession marked wth. my Daughte’s Ffullers mark shall be delivered for the good her and her Children. And I doe alsoe give and bequath to her and her heires for ever ten Cowes more out of my Stock or to be bought out of my Estate with their whole increase, Male and Ffemale, and alsoe a Bull to be delivered within a yeare as abovesaid.
Item I give to my loving sonn George Read Esq. all my weareing apparell except my stuff suite and Coate and new Dimity Caster which I hereby bequeath to my Sonn John Scarsbrook and also Will that Ffive pounds ready money] now lying by me be equally divyded betweene my said Two Son in Lawes—
Item my will that at finishing the next Crop after my Debts are Satisfied my Two Negroes Phill & Nicholas shall be free & that each of them have then deliverd by my Ex-ecutrxes. One Cow & Three Barrells of Corne Cloathes, and also Maybe to build them a house but they or either of them shall hire themselves after their Said Ffreedome or before or Shall remove from the Land here under appointed them then they or he Soe doeing to returne to my Executrices for the good of them and their Children And my Will is that they have land sufficient for themselves to plant in the field where William Leigh lived for their lives or the life of the longer liver of them—
Item I give and bequeath to Hugh Roy lately my Servt. one Three Yeare old Heifer with her increase to be delivered on demand after my decease—
Item I give and bequeth to my abovenamed Two Loveing Daughters. Elizabeth Read and Mary Scarsbrook for the good of themselves & their Children All the rest of my Estate whatsoever in Virginia or elsewhere to be equally divyded be-tweene them but this Divysyon not to be made untill all my Debts & Legacyes be Satisfied which Said severall Debts are to be paid out of the part of my Estate as is given to my said Two daughters. & their Children without any Charge to my Daughter Sarah or her heires.—
Item Lastly, I doe by these presents nominate & appoint & Confirm my two beloved Daughters. Elizabeth and Mary Joint Executrixes of this my Last Will & Testament to see that same performed and kept And in Confirmation of this my Said Last Will and Testament & of every matter Clause & thing therein conteyned I have hereto sett my hand and Seale this First day of March One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty Six.
Nicholas Martian
Sealed & Signed in the presence of us
Nicholas Trott
Tho: Ballard
(York County, Deeds, Orders, Wills, No. 1, 1633-1657, 1691-1694, Reel 1, 337-339.)
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