In Lower Norfolk county records there is a power of attorney from Meindert Doodes of Nansemond.
In Lancaster county records "Minor Doodes of Lancaster county mariner," with consent of his wife Mary, deeds to Peter Montague 200 acres in 1665.
There is an act of the General Assembly in 1673, naturalizing Minor Doodes and Doodes Minor, his son. (Hening's Statutes at Large, II., 308 ; III., 479).
The will of Minor or Meindert Doodes is recorded in the clerk's office of Middlesex county, and bears date December 13, 1677. It is sealed with the wax impression of a galley.
It is clear that Doodes was a Dutch ship captain, who like many other sea-faring people settled in Virginia. Until the passage of the Navigation law, confining the trade of the colonies to Great Britain, a great many Dutch vessels and Dutch people came to Virginia.
The will of his wife Mary was dated September 17, 1678, and was proved February 7, 1686-'87. She died on Montague's Island January 9, 1686-'87 {Middlesex Parish Register). She names son Doodes Meindert and Peter Montague, dau. Marie Montague's daughter Marie. ...
Will of Minor (Mindert, Mindote) Doodes.
In the name of God Amen I Mindote Doodes being weake in body but of sound and perfect Memory doe Ordaine this my Last will and Testamente Firste I doe bequeathe my sole to God. that give it and my body to be buried in Christian buriall at the discretione of my Executor or Executrix hereafter nominated
Item My Debts being firste paide I leave my hole persnall estate in the hands of my loving wife Mary Doodes during the time of her widdowhood and if Inkase she should marry againe then my will is that my sonn Doodes Minor's children shall have the one half of my Negroes forthwith delivered into the possession of there father for the sole use behoufe of them while such time that it shall please God to take him away then to Redound to the use of there Mother during the time of her widowhood afterwards to them solely In kase of the Mortality of Ither without issue the survivore to succeed thereon and the other half to be forthwith delivered into the possession of Peter Montague for the sole use of his wife whitch is now living and afterwards to the sole use of her children inkase of the Mortality of Ither of them without Issue the Survivore to succeed thereon as above sd & soe to Remaine them & there Increase male and female & not to be sould nor Morgadged & fur- Increase male and female & not to be sould nor Morgadged & further my will is that the two ould Negroes Degoe & Pallis his wife shall serve but ten years after my desease & then to be free &Doe make my loving wife Mary Doodes & my loving friend William Chance my sole Executor Executrix to see my will truly performed in witness whereof I here unto sett my hand and seale the 13 day of December 1677.
& None of My other Negroes to serve any longer than fourty five yeares a. sold them nor there Increase.
MAINDORT DOODES (Seal)
William Chance
Silvt Blizard
Probat in Cur Com Midds 7 Die January 1677 at
Recordat 9 die Sequent Teste Chr Robinson Clerk.
