Person:Joseph Collins (23)

Will of Joseph Collins

In the name of God Amen, I Joseph Collins of the county of Spotsylvania being sick and weak, but of sound and perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following, first I commend my soul to Almighty God and my body to the earth to be decently buried, and as to what worldly estate it hat please God to bless me with I give and bequeath in the following manner:

Item: It is my will, that my just Debts and funeral expenses to first paid.

Item: I give unto my Grad Daughter, Amy Collins, one cow and calf and the sum of five pounds current money, to be paid unto her when she arrives at the age of twenty one years or on the Day of her marriage.

Item: I lend unto my beloved wife Susana Collins my whole estate both real and personal for and during the term of her widowhood, and after her marriage or death. It is my will and desire that my executor hereafter named do sell my whole estate both real and personal at public auction, and I do hereby give that money arriving by the sale of my land to be equally divided between my four sons James Collins, William Collins, Thomas Collins and Lewis Collins and out of the money arriving by the sale of my Negroes and other estate I give the sum of ten pounds current money to each of my daughters, Ann Wisdom, Mary Brockman, Susanna Golson, Tabitha Gatewood, Drucilla Cook and Catey Glass and if any thing remains after such Legacys are paid, I give the same to be equally divided between my children, John Collins, James Collins, William Collins, Thomas Collins, Lewis Collins, Ann Wisdom, Mary Brockman, Susanna Gholson, Tabitha Gatewood, Druicilla Cook, Catey Glass.

Item: I do hereby ordain constitute and appoint my sons John Collins, James Collins, William Collins, Thomas Collins and Lewis Collins Executors of this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made and declaring this to be my last will and Testament, in testimony whereof of ?? unto ?? my hand and seal this 27th day of August, 1757.

(Signed) Joseph Collins

[Sources: Title: Will of Joseph Collins, Testator: Joseph Collins, File Number: Probate November 11, 1757 Spotsylvania County (VA) Probate Clerk].

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 International Genealogical Index. ( The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, 1999-2008).

   Note: there are wide variations in the birthdate for Joseph Collins, between 1677-1708. Abt. 1686/7 appears to be a likely time, based upon the marriage dates and approximate ages of Joseph's children.