Abernathy Document
The Will of
Samuel 'Long Sam' Harwell
24 Apr 1767
In the name of God amen. I Samuel Harwell of the Parish of St. Andrews and County of Brunswick being sick and weak but in perfect mind, memory and disposal, thanks be to Almighty God for the same. I do make, constitute and ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament absolutely revoking other wills heretofore made by me and for what temporal Estate it pleased Almighty God to bestow on me I dispose of in form and manner following, viz:
Item: I leave to my dear and well beloved Mary during her natural life, the land I now live on, only to let my son Frederick have the liberty of working part of the land, likewise all my household furniture and Stocks of all kinds during her natural life.
I likewise lend unto my wife Mary the use of those negroes here mentioned during her life, namely Betty, Moll, Toney, Sall, Fanney & Daniel.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son James Harwell half the entry of land adjoining the land he now lives on to him and his heirs forever.
Likewise a Negroe woman Jean and her son Steffons with all her future increase to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Samuel Harwell the other half of the entry of land joining my son James to him and his heirs forever.
Likewise a Negroe girl Sall with her future increase to him and his heirs forever after my wife's decease.
Item: I give to my daughter Honour twenty pounds to be paid after my wife's decease.
Item: I give to my daughter Mary a Negroe boy Daniel to her and her heirs forever after my wife's decease.
Item: I give to my daughter Margaret after my wife's decease a Negroe woman Moll with her future increase to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give to my daughter Catherine after my wife's decease a Negroe girl Fanney with her future increase to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give to my daughter Drusilla a Negroe girl Hannah with all her future to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I bequeath to my son Frederick Harwell the plantation I now live on containing four hundred and eighty four acres of land be the same more or less, likewise sixty one acres joining Silvestor Brenon [Brewer] be the same more or less to him and the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten forever and for want of such heirs I give it to my son Samuel and the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten forever.
I likewise give my son Frederick a Negroe boy Solomon to him and his heirs forever.
Likewise I give to my son Frederick after my wife's decease Negroes Betty, Toney with their future increase to him and his heirs forever. Likewise all my household furniture & tools with all my stocks of all kinds after my wifes decease and paying to my daughter Honour Twenty pounds cash to him and his heirs forever.
Item: My intent that the legacies given to my wife during her natural life may be only during her widowhood and then descend to my children as their legacies. Likewise the entry of land that I gave my son James was in lieu of some land I intended for him for some time past. Likewise I give all the remaining part of my estate after paying my debts, funeral charges and legacies to my son Frederick and I do make, constitute and appoint my sons
Samuel and Frederick my sole and sole executors to this my last will and testament devising my said estate may not come under appraisement. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven.
Signed Sealed and Delivered
Samuel (h.m.) Harwell
In the presence of
Isaac Howse
John Avery
William Edwards
Thomas Firth
Source: Brunswick County, VA (1767) Will Book 3, p.403-405