Person:John Popham (9)

Will of John Popham

John Popham's Will - October 31, 1738

In The Name of God Amen I John Popham of Washington Parish in the County of Westmoreland, being sick and weak in body but sound in mind & memory do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as followeth (Viz.):

Imprimes I commit my Soul into the hands of my Almighty God, hoping Thro the Merits of our Saviour, to obtain everlasting life, and my body I commit to the dust, to be decently buried, and as touching what worldly Estate it has pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath as followeth, after my just debts and Funeral expences are paid,

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Job Popham & his heirs to be begotten in Lawfull wedlock forever; the house Plantation & Land whereon I now live, and likewise the Tract of Land which I purchased of James Butler and a tract of Land I bought of Houseing Hooe, all which Lands lies in the County of Westmoreland, and in case of his decease without Issue, then I bequeath & give the above mentioned Lands to be equally divided between my three Daughters, Sophia, Mary & Anne.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son John Popham the plantation and tract of Land I purchased of James Kay lying in the County of King George, to him and his heirs begotten in Lawfull wedlock forever and in case of his decease without Issue, then to my Son Job Popham and his heirs forever, and for want of such Issue I give the above mentioned Lands to be equally divided between my three Daughters, Sophia Mary & Anne

Item my Tract of 500 Acres of Land Scituate lying and being near Frying Pan Run in Prince William County which I purchased of William Berkley I leave to be desposed of by my Executors in trust herein after mentioned and the money arising from the Sale thereof to be equally divided between my three daughters, Sophia, Mary and Anne and my Grandaughter Constant Comfort Littleton and if either of them should happen to die before they arrive at the age of 18 years, that the part belonging to such shall be equally divided amongst the Survivor,

Item I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Rachell Popham one Negro man named Ben,

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Job Popham two Negroes named Tambo & Slumber

Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sophia Popham one Negro named Fomisa,

Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Popham One Negro named Serra,

Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Anne one Negro named Sarah and the Increase of the Negro Woman, I likewise give unto each of my Children to whom they belong,

Item I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Rachell Popham a horse called Roane with a Side Saddle & bridle

Item all the rest and residue of my personal Estate goods & chattels I give and bequeath un-to my loving Wife Rachel Popham and unto my Son Job Popham and my Daughter Sophia, Mary and Anne and to my Son John to be equally divided between them,

Item I leave my friends William Duff Senr. & Evan Price Executors in Trust of this my last Will and Testament desiring them to accept of the Trust.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seale this 31 day of October in the year of our Lord, 1738

(signed) John Popham (Seal)

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the Testator, to be his last Will and Testament in presence of us the day and year above mentioned

John Shotwell, William Sayant

Westoreland Sct. At a Court held for the said County the 27th. day of March 1739

This last Will and Testament of John Popham deced being proved by the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be Recorded, but for that William Duff and Evan Price Executors in the said Will appointed, refused to undertake the burthen thereof; upon the motion of James Maxwell and Rachell his Wife, late Relict of the said decedent, and there giving John Shotwell & James Jones for their Securities for performing what is usual in such cases, & making oath to the said Will as the Law directs, Certificate is granted them for obtaining Letters of Admon. thereupon, with the said Will annexed in due form.

Teste George Turberville CWC

A Copy Teste:

Lucille S. Hutt, (her signature)

Deputy Clerk, Westmd. Co. Cir. Court

Note: (The will of John Popham was copied from the certified copy of the will signed by Lucille S. Hutt, Deputy Clerk, Westmoreland County, Virginia, Circuit Court)

Source: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/e/b/Rosemary-Webb/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0989.html