Submitted 12 Sep 1999 by
Patricia Henderson-London
ASA MOORE WILL
In the name of God Amen. I Asa Moore of the County of Mecklenburg and
State of Virginia being in feeble health but of sound mind and
disposing means and wishing to dispose of what property it has pleased
God to bless me with, I make, constitute and appoint this my last
will and testament in manner and form as follows to wit. 1st my wish is
that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid from any source my
Executrix hereafter named shall deem best. 2. I Loan to my beloved wife
Eliza Ann all my estate both real and personal or mixed which I may die
Seized and fortified with, for and during her natural life or
widowhood, and if it should be necessary to sell any property either
real or personal for her benefit or the Support, raising or educating
of the children, then she is hereby empowered to sell and convey the
same. In the event my beloved wife should marry before the youngest
child should become of age. (21) my desire is that my estate shall be
kept together, my children educated until the youngest becomes of age
(21) or marries, then divided as follows, one third to my wife to be
held by her during her life, and at her death to be divided equally
between my six children hereafter named , and the balance two thirds
also equally divided between my six children namely, Martha S. Garner,
wife of Thomas Garner, Lewis M., Henry M., Althea G., Goodridge B.,
and Cornelia Ann Moore, to them and their heirs and assigns forever. I
hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife Eliza Ann Moore Executrix
to this my last will and testament revoking all other wills and
testaments made or said to have been made by me. Signed by me and
sealed with my seal this day of August A.D. 1856.
Signed Sealed and delivered, in the Asa Moore,(Seal)
presence of and at the request of Testator}
George M. Perkins
E.F.R. Pool
Mecklenburg County Court October the 20th 1856
The foregoing last will and testament of Asa Moore dec. was this
day produced in Court and partly proved by the oath of E.F.R. Pool one
of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified.
And at another court held for the said County on the 20th day of
April 1856 the said will was again produced in court and fully proved
by the oath of George M. Perkins the other subscribing witness thereto
and ordered to be recorded. And on motion of Eliza A. Moore the
Executrix named in the said will who made oath thereto and together
with E.F.R Pool, her security entered into and acknowledged, a bond in
the penalty of Eight Thousand dollars with condition as the law directs
certificate is granted her for obtaining a probat thereof in due form.
Teste R. B. Baptist Clen
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ABRAHAM HESTER WILL
In the name of God Amen.
I Abraham Hester of the County of Mecklenburg being weak in body but of sound
mind memory and understanding and calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal
life do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form
following(to wit)
Imprimis I lend to my loving wife Ann Hester all my estate both real and
personal during her widowhood (except what I hereafter give to my Daughter
Susannah) but in case she should marry my desire is that my estate may be
divided as follows...
Item I gives and bequeath to my son Samuel Hester one half of the land on which
I now live containing 423 acres and half my other tract adjoining containing 300
acres to begin a dividing line at the mouth of this farm branch on Butchers
Creek thence to run a line as will answer to make an equal division between my
said son Samuel and my son Robert my said son Samuel Hester to have which half
he chooses the said three hundred and ninety one acres of land to my said sons
Samuel Hester and his heirs.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Robert Hester the remaining half of my lands
above mentioned according to a line of division above mentioned the said three-
hundred and ninety one acres to my said son Robert Hester and to his heirs
Item I give to my Daughter Susannah my young bay mare and one good feather bed
and furniture to be delivered to her at the age of eighteen years the said mare
and bed to her heirs.
My will and desires that if my wife should marry that then my estate (except the
lands and mare and bed which is disposed of as above) may be equally divided
between my then surviving children (except my sons Samuel Hester and my son
Robert Hester) and my wife Ann Hester.
I Nominate and appoint my loving wife Ann Hester and my Brother James Hester
executors of this my last will and Testament as witness my hand and seal this
12th day of April 1779.
James Hester
Edward Walton Abraham Hester
Abraham Walton
At a Court held for Mecklenburg county the 12th day of July 1779 this will was
proved by the oaths of Edward Walton and Barbara Walton witnesses thereto and
ordered to be recorded and on the motion of James Hester and Anne Hester the
executors therein named who made oath thereto and together with Edward Finch and
Tingnal Jones Jun their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in
the penalty of eighteen thousand pounds conditioned as the Law directs.
Certificate was granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Teste
John Brown at Law
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ELIJAH GREGORY WILL
In the name of God amen. I Elijah Gregory of the county of Mecklenburg
state of Virginia being in feeble health but of sound disposing mind
and viewing the uncertainty of life. Therefore constitute and ordain
this my last will and testament revoking all others as follows. 1St__
after all my just debts and funeral expenses I give to my wife Nancy
Gregory (with the exceptions Andrew and Lavica) stock of all kinds,
crops, plantation tools, household and kitchen furniture for her
lifetime. Item 2nd_ I give to my daughter Mary A. Gregory a negro man
named Andrew and a negro girl named Lavica forever at my death she is
to have said negroes-Item 3rd_ I give to Frances L. Moore a negro woman
Harriet forever. Item 4th_ I give to Theba M. Moore a negro Boy named
Thomas and a negro girl named Fanny forever. Item the 5_ I give to
James Gregory a negro girl named Rachalle. Item 6th_ I give to
William Gregory a negro girl named Mariah and negro Boy named William
forever. Item 7th_ I give to Eliza Ann Moore a negro girl named Ritta
and a Boy named David forever __Item 8th at my wife’s death It is my
desire that my land and crop of tobacco, corn, wheat and oats, fodder
and stock of all kind, household and kitchen furniture and plantation
tools shall be sold and an equal distribution be made among my above
named children. Item the 9th_All the negroes which I now hold (with
the exception of Andrew and Lavica which I have disposed of to my
daughter Mary at my death) I leave to my loving wife her lifetime and
at her death are to be equally divided among my children Mary, James,
William, Fanny, Theba, and Eliza___Item 11 The negroes or money which
my son James may draw at the division of my estate at my wife’s death I
loan to my son James Gregory for the special benefit of his four
children William Henry Gregory, Martha Ann Gregory, Elijah Thomas
Gregory and Mary Caroline Gregory children of said Jas. Gregory my son
which property is for their special benefit support Education and this
property is to be held by James Gregory my son and is not to be out of
his hands for the Payment of any debts of I. Now ifsoever of the
above named children should die before becoming of age or marrying it
shall be equally divided among the survived. Item 11th I loan to my
daughter Theba M. White her proportional part of my estate at the
division at my wife’s death for the special benefit of her daughter
Manerva White which property is not to be sold for the payment of any
debts or otherwise save in the support of said child Manerva if said
Manerva should die before she is of age or Marries and her mother
should not make a disposal by will of said property it is my desire
that it shall revert back to my estate and be equally divided among my
children with said possession as regards my son James pay for the
benefit of his four children above named. Item the 12th I constitute
and ordain Asa Moore my executor and to manage for my wife during her
life. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my
seal Nov. The 26, 1840.
Witness
David G. Smith Elijah Gregory
seal
John B. Williams
Latteny M. Gregory
Mecklenberg County March Court 1848.
The last will and testament of Elijah Gregory was this day presented in
court and proved by the oath of David G. Smith and ` Latteny M.
Gregory and ordered to be recorded and on motion of Asa Moore the
executor therein named who make oath thereto and together with Birth
Records and...
* * * * *
JOHN RUDD WILL
In the name of god amen.
I John Rudd of Mecklenburg County being of weak body but of perfect
sense and memory thanks be to god for the same, do give and bequeath my
Estate as follows.
First I desire that all my just debts be payed and satisfied to my
creditors after mentioned.
I give my Estate to my loving wife Sarah during her life or widowhood.
I give my Estate to my three Children namely Joseph Rudd, Nancy Rudd
and Wilmoth Rudd, to be equally divided between to them and their heirs
forever. This I desire now.
John Potter may take my rifle gun and sell her to the best advantage
and lastly I do nominate my loving friend John Potter and my loving
father Joseph Rudd and my loving Wife Sarah Rudd to be my teste and
executors of this my last will and testament providing and disannulling
all other will or wills here unto made by me. On witness whereof I
have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of April
1765
Teste
his
John Flyn
mark his
John Clemons John Rudd
her mark
Elizabeth Cox
mark
At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 11th day of July 1766, This
last will and Testament of John Rudd Deceased was proved by the oath of
the witnyses thereto subscribed sworn to by Sarah Rudd one of the
Executors therein named and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of
the said executors who by surieties Jos. Cox and Daniel Bunge have
here witnessing and acknowledging bond as the Law provided and is
granted here for obtaining a judgement.
* * * * *
JOSEPH RUDD WILL
In the name of God amen.
I Joseph Rudd of the County of Mecklenburg being sick and weak of body
but of sound mind memory and understanding and considering the
uncertainty of this transitory life do make and declare this my last
will and testament in manner and form following
(to wit)
Imprimis I give and bequeath to my daughter Avis Ahern [Akin] my Negro
boy slave named York to her and her heirs forever
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Owen my Negro girl
slave named Molly to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Wilmouth Avery one negro man
slave named Frank to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Anne Hester my negro girl slave
named Pheadyte to her and her heirs forever also one cow and calf.
Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Lucy Daniel my negro girl slave
named Grace and one cow and calf to her and her heirs forever
Item I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Rudd my negro woman slave
named Betty to him and his heirs forever also the sum of twenty pounds
to be paid by my son Thomas and Field Rudd out of the sales of the land
devised them.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Rudd my negro slave named
Robin also one cow and calf to him and his heirs forever
Item I give and bequeath to my son Field Rudd my negro man slave named
Dick also two cows and calves to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Harwood Rudd one majority of the
tract of land and plantation whereon I now live and containing by
estimation six hundred acres he my said son to have the part whereon I
now live to be divided as follows (to wit) Beginning at a scrub oak in
John Puryears line running from thence along to Nauls branch then to
John Puryear's land paying to my grand daughter Anne Rudd daughter of
my late son John Rudd the sum of one hundred pounds to him and his
heirs forever also give my said son Harwood Rudd my negro man slave
named Jimmy together with my bay horse Prince to him and his heirs
forever.
Item my will and desire is that the other morsel of the land before
mentioned be sold by my son Thomas Rudd and the money arriving from
such sale be equally divided between my two sons Thomas and Field Rudd.
They paying to my son Joseph Rudd the sum of twenty pounds to them and
their heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Grandson Elijah Rudd my negro boy slave
Scipio together with the bed and furniture he now lies on and one cow
and calf to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Grandson William Rudd son of my late son
William Rudd sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence to him
and his heirs forever.
Item I give unto my Grandson John Rudd son of my said son William the
sum of sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence to him and
his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter Sally Rudd daughter of my
said son William the sum of sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and
four pence to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter Wilmouth Rudd daughter of
my late son John Rudd the sum of one hundred pounds to her and her
heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter Anne Rudd the sum of one
hundred pounds to be paid her by my son Harwood Rudd in consideration
of my giving my said son the plantation whereon I now live and my
paying the above mentioned sum for the plantation whereon my said son
now lives to her and her heirs forever.
Item my will and desires that if my said Sons Thomas and Field should
refuse or neglect to pay the legacy to my within named son Joseph Rudd
the twenty pounds and my said son Harwood should refuse to pay my said
Granddaughter Anne the said sum of one hundred that in that case so
much of their part of my estate be sought as will be sufficient to
discharge the said legacy.
Item my will and desire is that in order that there be an equal
division of the remainder of my slaves not there before devised they be
set up to the highest bidder and that none shall have a right to buy
except my five daughters and four sons hereafter named (to wit) Avis
Ahern, Margaret Owen, Wilmouth Avery, Anne Hester, Louisa Daniel and my
said sons Joseph, Thomas, Field, and Harwood Rudd and that the amount
of such sales be equally divided amongst my said children share and
share alike to them and their heirs forever.
Item my will and desires that the residue or remainder of my estate not
heretofore devised be equally divided(after paying all my just debts
and funeral expenses) amongst my said five daughters Avis Ahern,
Margaret Owen, Wilmouth Avery, Anna Hester, and Louisa Daniel and my
said sons Joseph, Thomas, Field, and Harwood Rudd or the survivors and
their heirs.
I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons Thomas Thomas Rudd and my
son in Law Thomas Ahern [Akin] my sole and sole executors of this my
last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other will
or wills by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal this thirty first day of January one thousand seven
hundred and seventy nine.
Signed , sealed published and his
declared by the said testator of Joseph R. Rudd
his last will and testament mark
in presence of us.
Clausel Clausel
Dolphia Williams
John Puryear
Samuel Puryear
At a court held for Mecklenberg County the 11th day of June 1779, this
will was proved by the oaths of John Puryear and Clausel Clausel
witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the recommendation
of Thomas Rudd one of the executors named in the said will who made
oath thereto and together with Richard Swepson and James Hester his
securities entered into and acknowledged their bonds in the penalty of
twenty thousand pounds conditioned as the Law directs certificate was
granted him for obtaining a probat thereof in due form, liberty being
reserved for Thomas Akin the other executor therein named to join in
the probat when he shall think fit.
Teste
Examined John Brown Co lun
* * * * *
PLEASANT GOLD WILL
In the name of God I Pleasant Gold of the County of Mecklenburg in the
State of Virginia do make and direct this to be my last will and
Testament to wit. It is my wish that my Executor hereunto named shall
make immediate provision for the payment of all my just debts in any
way which may appear most advisable to him. To those of my children
who have already married I have given as much of my property as they
are to have until after the death of my wife. Those who have not yet
married it is my will and desire that they shall in case of their
marriages during the lifetime of their mother have allotted to each as
they may mean = as a portion equal to what I have already given to any
one of my married children. It is my wish and intention that my whole
estate shall be kept together during the lifetime of my wife, after her
death I wish it to be equally divided between all my children or their
legal representatives. I hereby constitute and appoint my friend
Colonel Newman and my son Moore Gold my Executors to this my Will .
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix my seal
this 9th day of August 1832.
Pleasant Gold seal
Signed and acknowledged in presence of us
Franklin Wilkinson
William Childers
Lewis N. Yancy
At a Court held for Mecklenburg county on the 15th day of
October 1832. The foregoing last will and Testament of Pleasant Gold
deceased was this day produced in open Court and proved by the other
subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Whereasfor
Moore Gold one of the sons named in the said will having appeared in
Court and refused to take upon himself the burden of the Executor
thereof, on the motion of Executor Newman the other executor therein
named who made oaths thereto and together with Thomas Owen and Elijah
Griffin his presenters instead take and acknowledge their bond in the
penalty of good outstanding acending to Law, certificate is granted him
for obtaining a probat thereof in due form.
Teste
John G. Baptist
* * * * *
THOMAS OWEN WILL
I Thomas Owen, of the County of Mecklenburg, State of Virginia being of
sound mind and posing memory, well knowing that it is allotted to all
men to die, I hereby ;constitute and appoint this my last will and
Testament and revoking all others heretofore made or since made by me.
In manner and form as follows: to wit,
1: I desire and wish my wife to have the land lying North of my land,
commencing at Little Buffalo and going to the cow south during her
natural life and then to be returned to my estate.
2nd I desire and wish her to have the fourth part of all of my stock,
of all things used and also choice, devise and made & 1 fourth part of
any plantation, tools, also 1 fourth part of my household and kitchen
furniture.
3rd I desire that she shall have choice Negro of all of my Negroes,
this last mentioned property I give her a right to go to her or
assignees forever.
4th I desire and wish for my granddaughter Julia Tilloson to have one
hundred dollars and also my niece Martha Wortham to have one hundred
dollars.
5Th I desire and wish the balance of my property both real and
personal to be sold and divided equally between all my children:
William Owen, Susan now Susan Gregory,
Nancy now Nancy Gregory, Elizabeth now Elizabeth Gold, Sarah, now Sarah
Gold, Margaret, now Margaret Blunks, Thomas W. Owens, Martha now
Martha Averett, Francis, now Francis P. Pool and Parham Owen, which is
now deceased. I wish that his part of my estate to be equally
divided between his two children Elizabeth and Francis Owen the
daughters of Parham Owen. John Owen who is excused without fees, I
leave him one dollar. I leave a Book for my Executor to go by, which I
left as much assistance as I could so as to make all of my children
equal in my Estate. I hereby constitute and \appoint my son and in
law, William P. Pool my executor to this my last will and testament.
And I desire that he shall sell the property both real and personal and
for compensation for his troubles have lawful personae.
My hand and seal this 11th day of February 1866.
Thomas (x his mark) Owen
Witnesses
William P. Pool R.H. Walker Daniel (+ his mark) Sizemore
Daniel
Elias
At Court held for Mecklenburg county at the Courthouse thereof on the
15th Day of March 1866 the foregoing last will and testament of Thomas
Owen age? Was this day produced in Court and proved by the oaths of
R.H.Walker, Daniel Sizemore, and Daniel Elias subscribing witnesses
these and Polly Owen widow o the deceased appeared__and ordered to be
reasonable and on the motion of William P. Pool the executor therein
named who service with these and together with Daniel Sizemore and
Daniel Elias his executors entered into law will acknowledged their
bond on the penalty of $10,000.00 consideration according to law
certificates as granted him for obtaining ----thereof on one form
From Tester RB Baptist
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