Will of William Nance, 1770 - Brunswick
Co. VA WILL OF WILLIAM NANCE In the name of God Amen: November the 17th,
1770. I, William Nance, of the Parish of Meherrin in the County of
Brunswick, being of sound disposing mind and memory, thanks be to Almighty
God for the same, calling to mind the uncertainty of death and that all men
must yield thereto when by God required, do make and ordain this my Last
Will and Testament as followeth towit: I bequeath my soul to God who gave,
hoping and trusting in the Merit and Advocacy of my Blessed Lord and Savior
Christ for the remission of all my first follies and offenses, and my body I
commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my
executors hereinafter mentioned, and as touching such worldly estate as it
hath pleased God to bestow on me I shall dispose in manner following, after
all my lawful debts are paid. Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Isham
Nance and his heirs forever, two hundred acres of land lying in Mecklenburg
County adjacent to Reuben Nance and William Fox, also one negro fellow named
Harry, one pott, two chairs, bed and furniture, thirty pounds in money and
the third part of my stock of cattle. Item: I give unto my son John Nance
and to his heirs forever the tract of land I now live on, also three hundred
and ninety acres of land lying in Mecklenburg County adjacent to Drury
Malone and Edward Epps, also my negro wench Winney, a negro girl named Judy,
one brass lock gun, one feather bed and furniture, two chairs, one chest and
the third part of my stock of cattle. Item: I give unto my son Reuben Nance
and to his heirs forever two hundred acres of land whereon he now lives
being the upper part adjacent to Richard Warthin, also my negro boy named
Cook, a negro girl named Luse, one cuba gun, a mare named Pigion, also a new
market coat and the third part of all my stock of cattle. Item: I give unto
my daughter Elizabeth Glover and to her heirs forever one negro girl named
Phillis, a white horse, a fourth part of a negro girl named Hannah (when
sold) and five sheep. Item: I give unto my daughter Tabitha Nance and to her
heirs forever one negro fellow named Frank, one bed and furniture, five head
of sheep, a mare named Poll, a fourth part of a negro girl named Hannah
(when sold). Item: I give unto my daughter Mary Lanier and to her heirs
forever one negro boy named Emmanuel, five sheep, and the fourth part of
what my negro girl sells for, also eleven geese. Item: I give unto my
daughter Sarah Lanier twenty pounds money, one negro girl named Doll (now in
her possession), a negro girl named Sarah, also five sheep, and a fourth
part of my negro Hannah (when sold) to her and her heirs forever. Item: I
give my Sagathy coat to John Lanier. My will and desire is that my crop of
corn and tobacco be sold to pay my debts, like I desire that all the
remainder of my estate (except my hoggs) that I have not heretofore
mentioned be sold, and after my debts and funeral charges is paid, that the
remainder part be equally divided amongst my three sons; Isham, John and
Reuben. Item: I give all my stock of hoggs to my son John Nance. I do hereby
appoint make and ordain my three sons, Isham, John and Reuben my sole
executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written. his
William X Nance mark (Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said
William Nance as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us
who were present at the signing, sealing and publishing thereof. Joseph
Floyd John Nipper Benjamin Walker) ----------- At a court held for Brunswick
County the 25th day of February, 1771: This will was presented in court by
Isham Nance and John Nance, two of the executors therein named who made oath
thereto according to law, and the same being proved by the oaths of Joseph
Floyd and Benjamin Walker, two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be
recorded. And on the motion of the said executors, who together with Charles
Collier, Joshua Winfield and Josiah Floyd their securities entered into and
acknowledged their bond in the penalty of three thousand pounds with
conditions as the law directs. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a
probate thereof in due form, and Reuben Nance, the other executor therein
named personally in court refused to take upon himself the burden of the
execution thereof or to join in the probate. Teste: P. Pelham, Jr. Clerk of
Court.