Thomas Lawson Will 1795

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Hampshire, Virginia, United States
Surnames/tags: Lawson Farley

Will of Thomas Lawson, Hampshire Co., Virginia 15 Sep 1795. Proved 15 Feb 1796.

In the Name of God Amen. I Thomas Lawson of Hampshire County & State of Virginia being Weak in Body but of perfect mind & Memory thanks be given unto God: therefore Calling into mind the Mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is appointed for all men Once to die, do make and ordain this my last WILL and Testament. …..

First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Hannah Lawson her choice of my two plantations. If she chooses my plantation lying on the South Branch of the Potomac it is my will that she is to have Negro Sam, Negro Abraham & Negro Grace with said plantation during her natural life. If she chooses my plantation lying near the town of Frankfort on Patterson’s Creek, it is my will that she is to have Negro Dan’l, Negro George & Negro Grace with said Plantation during her natural life. I also give to my beloved Wife aforesaid …………. & one year’s provision of Meat Corn & Wheat for herself & the aforesaid three Negroes & my three youngest Children, Thomas, John & Fanny Lawson.

I give and Bequeath to my Eldest Daughter Catherine Five pounds payable two years from the Date of the sale of my property. This I give unto her & no more.

I give & Bequeath to my son James Lawson what he has received of me say Negro Tamar & no more.

I give and bequeath to my son William Lawson Negro Jack & Negro Dinah now in his possession……………

I give & bequeath to my son Jacob Lawson Negro Betsey & Negro Joseph.

I give & bequeath to my daughter Mary Johnson Negro Pheby.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Johnson Negro Dackey.

I give & bequeath to my daughter Anne Lawson Negro Susannah & her Negro child.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Conner a Negro Girl named Beck now in her possession.

I give & bequeath to my daughter Sarah Williams a Negro Girl named Lucy now in her possession.

I give & bequeath to my daughter Hannah McQuillin one Negro Woman named Rachel now in her possession.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Lawson one Negro Girl named Nell.

I give & bequeath to my daughter Fanny Lawson one Negro Child named Barbary.

I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Lawson Negro Sam & Negro Abraham not to be in his possession until his mother’s death should she choose the home lying on the South Branch.

I give & bequeath to my son John Lawson Negro Dan & Negro George not to be in his possession until after his mother’s death should she choose the plantation lying near Frankfort as aforementioned.

It is my will that which ever of my two sons’ Negroes my wife chooses to keep until her death that said son is to have Negro Grace at their mother’s death.

I give and bequeath to my grandson Thomas Cowhick one Negro boy named Jack Jun’r & no more.

It is my will that the plantation which my wife does not Chuse to live on Shall be Rented Out until her Decease. The Rents to lie in my Executors hands for the use & Support & Education of my three youngest children, namely Thos., John & Fanny & to Defray whatever Debts or Suits may Come against my Estate. It is my Will that after the Decease of my Beloved Wife my two plantations Shall be Sold and Equally Divided between my four Sons say William Lawson, Jacob Lawson, Thomas Lawson & John Lawson & No More. I do also allow All other of my Movable property Real or personal not Mentioned to be Sold at Publick Vandue and Equally Divided (after all Debts & expenses Is paid) between my Eight Daughters that is Mary, Jane, Elizabeth, Anne, Hannah, Sarah, Peggy, & Fanny. ……………..

Executors: John Taylor Jr and John Newman, both of Hampshire Co. VA. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of September in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five. Thomas Lawson & his mark. Witnesses: Richard Whiteman, James McQuilling, John Newman. At a court held for Hampshire County, the 15th day of February 1796… [executor John Newman and witnesses Richard Whiteman and James McQuilling appeared].

• West Virginia Wills & Probate Records 1724-1985. Hampshire Wills 1780-1860 #372 (FHL #1853709, DGS7616705, image 472-473). https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89VR-J97N?i=471&cat=655973