WILL OF WILLIAM LEA 1770 In the name of God, amen, the eighteenth day of June one thousand seven
hundred and seventy, I William Lea of Amelia County and Parish of Nottoway,
being very sick and weak, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be
given unto Almighty God, calling unto mind the mortality of my body
and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and
ordain that, this my last Will and Testament, that is to say- principally
and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God
that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a
decent Christian burial, at the discretion of my Executors, nothing
doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same by
mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it
has pleased God to bless me in life. I give and devise and dispose of
the same in the following manner and form. ITEM: My will and desire is that my personal estate be equally divided among my children after my wife’s death or widowhood, to-wit: Elizabeth Clark, Mary Walden, Anne Bennett, William Lea, Sarah Penn, Joseph Lea, Andrew Lea, Milly Dudley, Lucy Lea and John Lea, and my son Ambrose Lea’s (dec’d) children, being seven in number, to have the eleventh part of my estate divided among the said children, and whatever is Elizabeth Clark’s part, I leave in the hands of my Executors, to be a support to her, the said Elizabeth, and after her decease I give her portion to be equally divided among her children. But provided my said daughter, Elizabeth Clark should become a widow, then I will that my Executors deliver her portion to her enduring her life, and then to be divided as before mentioned to her children. ITEM: I will that all my lands be sold at Verdue (after my wife’s decease or widowhood) and the money divided among my sons William Lea, Joseph Lea, Andrew Lea, John Lea and my son Ambrose Lea’s (deceased) children (seven) to have the fifth part of the money which my lands sell for, to be equally divided among them. ITEM: My will and desired is that if either of my sons or daughters dies before a lawful heir, that then my desire is that the deceased’s portion shall return to my estate to again and be equally divided among the surviving children. But provided either of my sons should died leaving his wife with child, then I will that his invisible heir possess his portion. ITEM: I do hereby constitute, make and ordain my sons William Lea, Joseph Lea, and Andrew Lea, my sole executor to this my last Will and Testament, all and singularly my land, messuages, and tenement, by them freely to be possessed and enjoyed. And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and any other former Testaments, Wills, Legacies and Bequests, and Executors, by mine any way before named, willed and bequeathed, ratifying this and confirming it and no other to be, my last Will and Testament. In witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first
WILLIAM LEA Witnesses: Simeon Walton Transcribed by Pearl McPherson, 1932 Amelia Co., VA DB 3:697 Amelia Co., VA DB 4:56 ============================== The below will proved in Charlotte Co., VA is obviously the son John LEA named in the 1770 Amelia Co., VA will of William LEA, and not the same as John Lee Senr who died 1805 in Charlotte Co., VA WILL ABSTRACT OF JOHN LEA 1783 (by Bel Wise) John Lea of Amelia County. Named Nephew George Lea. Brother Joseph Lea. Three brothers and six sisters: William Lea, Joseph Lea, Andrew Lea, Elizabeth Clark, Mary Walden, Ann Bennatt, Sarah Penn, Milley Elliot, and Lucy Green. Exec brothers William Lea, Joseph Lea, and friend Abraham Hatchett. Wit: Milner Bennatt, Ann Perimon, Richard Bennatt. Security John Watkins. (See George LEE, son of Ambrose LEE deceased in Amherst Co., VA file.) |