Person:John Jeffries (7)

Will of John Jeffries

The will of John Jeffries, of Mecklenberg County, Virginia

In the name of God, Amen. I, John Jeffries, of the County of Mecklenberg, being sick and infirm, but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say, principally and first I commend my soul into the hand of Almighty God, who gave it and my body to be committed to the earth and buried decently at the discretion of my executors. Nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as to-----such worldly estate which it has pleased God to bless me with after my funeral expenses and my just debts to be fully satisfied and paid, I give as followeth:

Viz: By will and desire that my beloved wife contine her life with my son, Richard Jeffries, as long as she lives and in case of his death, or any other unforeseen accident that she should lack or have as maintain and my will and desire is that then my three sons here after named have a proportionable part in maintining her out of their respective parts here after given to them.

I also give unto my wife the following negroes (to wit): Jack, Moll, and Frank together with one bed and furniture and one horse called Logan with a saddle durning her natural life.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Swepston Jeffries, the following negroes: Viz. Waggoner, Cloe, George, Annica, Dick, Jane, and Marie.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Archilles Jeffries, the following negroes, Viz: Tom, Harry, Judy, Isaac, Letty, Sarah, and ________, wtih her future increase.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Richard Jeffries, the tract of land whereon I now live containing six hundred and thirty acres, to be the same more or less to him and his heirs.

I also give unto my son, Richard Jeffries, the following negroes, Viz: Charles, York, Same, Dashey, and Frank, at my wife's death. My will and desire is that at the death of my wife, Jock, Moll, and Frank. Increase may be equally divided between my three sons: Swepston, Archilles, and Richard Jeffries.

Item: I also give to my son, Richard, all my household and kitchen furniture together with sixteen head of cattle, sixteen head of sheep, one dark bay horse, and all my stock of hogs, provided he pays my grandson, Thomas Jeffries, 40 shillings, and to my granddaughter, Jane Jeffries, 40 shillings, and one bed and furniture, and that he pays the balance due my grandson from me as guardian for which I give him my young sorrel mare and colt.

Item: My will and desire is that the residue of my horses, cattle, and sheep not before mentioned to be divided between my two sons, Swepston and Archilles. Also that the negroes be kept together this year to make a crop and that be applied to the purpose of paying my debts--------to the moneys due me which is to be collected and applied to that purpose and when complied with the balance to be divided between my wife and three sons: Archilles, Swepston, and Richard Jeffires in proportion to their hands.

(signed) John Jeffries (mark)