Transcribed will of John Robinson

Profile manager: Kim Marcus [send private message]

The goal of this project is to transcribe the Will of John Robinson.

Right now this project just has one member, me. I am Kim Marcus

Here are some of the tasks that I think need to be done. I'll be working on them, and could use your help.

• complete the transcription
• decipher words and phrases I have marked with {not deciphered}
• create profiles for Sylla's children, Henry and Annaco
• create profile for George
• link John's children as they are added to the transcription in this will

Will you join me? Please post a comment here on this page, in G2G using the project tag, or send me a private message. Thanks!

Transcribed Will

In the name of God Amen, I John Robinson of Montgomery County being of sound mind and memory do make this my last will & testament first I {not deciphered} I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body I assign to the earth to be decently entered at the discretion fo Executor. As touching, such worldly estate as thath pleased God to bstow on me, I will devise and dispose of in the manner following {not deciphered}:

I will and direct that all my just debts be paid by my Executors out of my personal estate & the collection of debts due to me {not deciphered}.

I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Garty Robinson, during her natural life, the tract of land whereon I now dwell, containing three hundred and forty two acres with its appurtenances. Also, I give to my said wife, a negro woman called Sylla and her two children, Henry and Annaca. Also, a negro boy George during her life until the day of her marriage, after my decease. I direct that Annaca, a negro girl, and all of Sylla's offspring hereafter may be given by my wife to any of my children she thinks most in need, at her death or second marriage, and in case my said wife should marry after my decease, it is my will and I direct that she shall only receive of my estate what the laws of Virginia allow to the widows of husbands dying interstate.

Item I give and bequeath to my son William Robinson his heirs and [apiques] forever the four hundred acres of land I purchased of George May living in Nelson County Kentucky on the South side of the Rolling fork of Salt river adjoining and below Shepherds lower entry below the mouth of Otter creek also a tract of land in Montgomery county containing ninety two acres more of less joining or near David Stephens, also a devt of thirty five pounds which he owes me, and all the outstanding debts due to me as administrator to his brother Johns estate.

Item I will and bequeath to my son James Robinson his heirs or [assigns] so much of a late survey I have made as shall lie to the south west of a line to be run from a sink hole on the road leading to Christiansburg and on a line of a tract of one hundred and ten acres which I have conveyed to the nearest part of the north western boundary of the said survey.

Item I will and bequeath to son David Robinson his heirs or assigns so much of a late survey I have made as shall lie to the northeast of a line to run from a corner of a division line between said David and myself on the dry Branch of the north fork of said branch to the western boundary of the said new survey.

Item I give, bequeath and will unto my son Cyrus Robinson his heirs or assigns forever all that tract or parcel of land wheron I now live called the middle tract containing three hundred and forty two acres more of less agreeable to a late survey with all its appurtenances to take [possession] of the same at the death or second marriage of his Mother likewise so I will and bequeath to hime all the residue of a late survey I had made after David & James Robinsons parts thereof as devised above are laid off also I give to him my said son Cyrus cherry cupboard desk & large table which stands in the hall of my house Also a young Bay horse now in his [possession] & a feather bed & furniture. It is my will & I direct that if my said son Cyrus should die before he arrives at the age of twenty one years or has lawful {ipue} that the bequest that I now made to him shall descend to and be equally divided between my sons James & David Robinson their heirs and assigns.

Item I will & bequeath to my daughter Letitia Robinson her heirs of assigns forever two hundred acres of land more or less in Montgomery Couty on the branch of [Ingles] Mill creek called McNeelys place and eighty three acres more or less on the [den] run of branch of the Roanoke both granted to me by letter pattent the 20th July 1780 likewise I give to my said daughter Letitia a negro woman called Sylla to recieve the said slave at the death or second marriage of her mother also a sorrel horse a saddle & bridle now in her [possesion] also two feather beds & furniture for the same.

Item I give bequeath and will unto my daughter Cynthia Robinson her heirs and assigns forever a tract of land containing one hundred & eighty four acres more or less on cedar run below John Barragers also another tract of land containing one hundred & fifty acreas more or less on the head of Ingles Mill Creek called the north Sugar bottom both lying in Montgomery County and granted to me by letters patent the 20th July 1780 likewise I give to my said daughter Synthia a negro boy called George to receive the said slave at her mothers death or second marriage also a sorrel mare as saddle & bridle now in her possession also two feather beds & furniture for the same.

Item I give bequeath and will unto my daughter Thamar Robinson her heirs or assigns forever a tract of land containing sixty nine acreas more or less on a small branch of the north fork of Roanocke joining Willson and [Laeis] lands also another tract of land containing sixty four acreas more or less on the branch of the north fork of Roanoke above wises land & called the South Sugar bottom both in Montgomery County & granted to me by letters patent the 20th July 1780 also the residue of a tract of land containing two hundred and thirty acres lying on the allegany ridge adjoining the lands of John Barrager & George Ruthledge which said residue is to be ascertainied after that part of it is [touch] off which interferes north elder which is now suppose to be about thirty or forty acres which leaves a balance of one hundred & ninely or two hundred acres which tract of land was granted to me by letters patent the 20th July 1784 likewise I give to my said daughter Thamar a negro called Harry a child of Syllas to receive the said slave at her mothers death or second marriage also a horse the chooseshe may make of any now raising a saddle and bridele also two feather beds and furniture for the same.

Item I will and bequeath to my grandson Byrd Grills & John Grills and thier heirs or assigns forever a lott in christiansburg numer 25 and twent acres of land deeded to me by Mathias Paterson, it is my will that if either the said children should die before they reach full age or should have [no lawful issue] in either case it is my will that thier survivor shall inherit but that John Grills late husband to my daughter Margaret deceased is hereby escluded from possessing any part of my real estate or personal by right of sucepsion or otherwisee except what has already been given to him.

It is my will & I direct that my wife shall during her life or widowhood have all my household & kitchen furniture farming utensils and all crops in the ground and out of the ground and all my stock of horses, cattle sheep & hogs except those already devised to be disposed of by her according to her best judgement & discretion and applied to the use and benefit of herself & family who may reside with her also to enable her to discharge all [tasers, taxes] on land and other property and for defraying the expense of education. It is my will & I further direct that such personal property as shall be on the land at the time of my wifes death or second marriage shall be sold by my (executors execept such as has been specially divised) and the money arising from such to be by executors paid to such children or be equally divided amongst such children who at that time shall reside with my wife on the land, whereas I expect after executing every part of this will there may yet remain some real and personal property in the hands of my executors, I will & direct that the same shall be sold on a credit and the money arising from such sale be equally divided amongst all my now living children and lastly I nominate constitute & appoint my two sons James Robinison & David Robinson and ____ _____ ___ executors to this my last will and testiment to make conveyance of all lands which I have sold or have herein directed to be sold and also bring any suit or suits if necessary or defend any which may be brought against them as my executors and finally I do hereby revoke annual & make voidall other & formen mills by me ade or executed declaring prounouncing & publishing this to be my only two last will & testament contained in the seven foregoing pages.

In witness whereof I have herunto set my hand & seal this tweenty fourth day of September in the yer of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred, Signed, Sealed prounced and published as the last will & testament by John Robinson before us Preston John Vanlear Jacob Vanlear Geo. Rutledge Montgomery May Court 1801

This last will an testament of John Robinson deceased was exhibitied in court and proven by the oath of John Preston, John Vanlear and George Ruthledge three of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of James Robinson and David Robinson the executors therin named who made oath entered into and acknowledged bond with security according to law certificate for [obtaining] probate thereof is granted them. [Lute] Charles Taylor CMC [ALopyTest] R. D. Montague C

State of Virginia Montgomery County I Rise D Montague clerk of the county court of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record of the will of John Robinson deceased. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and afixed the seal of my office this 2nd day of July 1812 in the 66th year of the commonwealth. R.D. Montague C