Person:Dabney Pettus (1)

Will Abstract

The following from the Revolutionary Pension Application of John Snead, Jr., son-in-law of Dabney Pettus:

The file also includes a copy of the will of Dabney Pettus of Charlotte County dated 1 Mar 1788 and proved on 1 Sep 1788 naming Rebecca Snead and others as his children. The will makes the following provisions:

“I lend unto my dearly and well beloved Wife Elizabeth during her natural life my Negroes Robert, Jack, Bobb, & Bob, Will and Frank…, but whenever my Wife shall think it necessary and convenient, she shall be at liberty with the advice of my Executors to give the negro Bob in aid for the support of my Daughter Judy during her life.

I give to my daughter Anna my Negroes Jim and Cate….

I lend unto my daughter Judy my Negroes Moses and Mourning….

I give to my son Stephen of Prince Edward County my negro man Will….

I give to my son John of Fluvanna County my Negro named Bobb at the death of his Mother.

I give to my Son Charles my Negro named Frank….

I give to my Sons Stephen John and Charles at the death of my Wife my negroes Robert and Jack….”

Will Transcript

In the name of God, amen, I Dabney Pettus of the Parish of Cornwall, in the County of Charlotte, being sick and weak, but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, and calling to mind the uncertainty of life, do recommend my most precious soul to the Almighty, trusting in the merits of a redeeming Savious and after directing my body to be decently interred and my just debts paid, I dispose of my estate in manner following: First I lend unto my dearly and well beloved wife, Elizabeth during her natural life, my negro Robert, Jack, Bobb and Bob Will and Frank, all my stock of hogs, cattle, sheep and horses, and my household and kitchen furniture of every nature and kind, with my plantation utensils for her maintenance in life, but whever my wife shall think it necessary and convenient, she shall be at liberty with the advice of my executors to give the negro Bob in aid for support of my Daughter during her life – my wife is not to be interrupted, but left undisturbed in the Estate hereby left her.

I give to my daughter Anne my negroes Jim and Cate, one of my most valuable horses and a saddle and bridle, a bed and furniture, and cow and clf out of the estate left my wife, to her and her heirs and assigns forever.

I lend unto my daughter, Judy, my negroes Moses and Mourning, and a bed and furniture for her maintenance through life, which estate with my unfortunate and afflicted daughter Judy, I commit to the care of my son John, when she may see proper to leave her mother, and I entreat my son John to treat her with every kind of humanity, deserving her unfortunate case. At the death of said Judy, then I give the estate left by her to my son John for his care and trouble of his sister - to him and his heirs forever.

I give to my son Stephen of Prince Edward County, my negro man Will and a cow and calf at the death of his mother, to him and his heirs forever.

I give to my son John of Fluvanna County, my negro man Bobb at the death of his mother, to him and his heirs forever.

I give to my son Charles my negro named Frank and two cows and calves and my tract of land in Halifax County purchased of Walters at the death of his mother - to him and his heirs forever reserving to my said wife the use of the said land during her life – I give to my daughter, Mary Finley, two cows and calves at the death of my wife – I give to my daughter Rebecca Snead two cows and calves at the death of my wife – I give to my sone, Stephen, John and Charles at the death of my wife, my negroes Robert and Jack, paying my daughters and equal share of their value – I order and direct my lands purchased of Smith Blackey and of James Adkins on Ward’s Fork be sold by my executors for the best price that can be got, and the money arising from the sale be equally divided among my daughters, and that they pass title in fee to the purchases of purchaser thereof.

I also authorize and direct my executors to pass a title in fee simple to Richard Elliot for the land whereon I now live, which I have sold on his complying on his part, with the contract.

I give to my daughter Elizabeth Gates, two cows and calves at the decease of my beloved wife.

I also give to my unfortunate daughter Judy two cows and calves at the death of my wife in further support for her through life. The residue of my estate not heretofore given, I give at the death of my wife – my aged companion through life – to be equally divided among all my daughters to them and theirs heirs forever.

And lastly, I constitute and appoint my three sons, Stephen Pettus, John Pettus and Charles Pettus sole executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all others by me heretofore made.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed by seal this first day of March, 1788.

[Signed] Dabney Pettus (L.S.)

Signed, sealed and declared as his last will and Testament in presence of Thomas Read, John Nash Read, Chilian Palmer, Richard Dobbs.

[illegible], was exhibited in court by Stephen Pettus, John Pettus and Charles Pettus, the executors herein named and the same was proved by the oaths of Thomas Read, Chilian Palmer and Richard Dobbs, three of the witnesses hereto subscribed, and ordered to be recorded. On the motion of the said Executors who made oath according to law, Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form, they giving security whereupon they with John Richardson, Jun., Chilian Palmer, and Josiah Foster, their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond according to law for that purpose.

Teste:- Thomas Read

Source: Dabney Pettus will, 1 March 1788, Charlotte County, Virginia, Will Book 1, 1765-1791, part 2, pages 407a-408.

1.  
   harlotte County, Virginia, Will Book 1, 1765-1791, part 2, pages 407a-408.

   Named in will are wife, Elizabeth; children Anne, Judy, John, Stephen, Charles, Mary Finley, Rebecca Snead, and Elizabeth Gates.