Will of Thomas Greatbeach, of Carolina, made November 28, 1694, and proved before Governor Blake, March 14, 1695, gave son, Daniel Greatbeach, all his land and houses in Carolina or elsewhere and all of his wearing clothes, silver buckles and buttons and two gold rings, which he had worn in his lifetime, all of his sheep not otherwise given, one half of his cattle, one half of his hogs, his "best gun being a fuze with bayonett catouch box sword & pistoll", one half of his household goods, as pewter, brass, iron, bedding, linnen, and all other utensils, three silver spoons, one half his slaves and all other property not specifically mentioned, his two mares and their increase, excepting the first foal which should come from either of the mares, which was given to James Witter, son of James Witter; gave daughter, Ruth Greatbeach, the other half of his slaves, one-fourth of his cattle, one half of his hogs, his wife's wearing clothes and two gold rings, three silver spoons, one half of his household goods, as pewter, brass, iron, bedding, linnen and other utensils, three ewes, to be delivered to her within six months after testator's death; gave "sonn & daughter in Law Thomas and Patience Downing" one fourth of his cattle "to be equally divided between my said sonn in law Thomas Downing and my said Daughter in law Patience Downing"; and gave each of them two ewes, to be delivered to them twelve months after testator's decease if no considerable loss should happen to the stock of sheep in the meantime; requested Mrs. Hannah Trotter, to stay in his family "and tutor and instruct" his daughter Ruth as she had theretofore done for two or three years, she to have £5 per annum and a room in his house, with her board and washing as in his lifetime, as long as his executors should approve her care and diligence in instructing his said daughter, Ruth; directed that his slaves, live stock and personal property should not be divided until his son-in-law (stepson) Thomas Downing should reach the age of twenty years and that in the meantime a sufficient sum from their yield be used for educating and maintaining his children, Daniel and Ruth Greatbeach, and the overplus divided between them; appointed stepson Thomas Downing to be sole executor when he should become twenty years of age, he giving security for the performance and payment of bequests and legacies until his son, Daniel, should reach the age of eighteen when the latter should take charge of all pertaining to himself and his sister, Ruth, until the latter should marry or arrive at the age of eighteen, and in case of the death of either of the children, beneficiaries named, before the age specified, his or her share was to be divided between the survivors according to bequest; gave son David first choice always; appointed friends William Rivers, James Witter and Benjamin Lamboll, executors until Thomas Downing should reach the age of twenty years; stipulated that in case of the death of both of his children before attaining the ages specified that all his lands and half of his personal property should go to his brother, Rowland Greatbeach, of Bermudas, and his eldest son, Daniel Greatbeach, and the other half of his personal estate to his step-children, Thomas and Patience Downing; appointed Richard Hill, Henry Younge and George Gantlett overseers and supervisors of his will,
Witnesses: Hannah Trotter, Samuel Stent, Hugh Wigglesworth. Recorded by John Hamilton, D. S., April 5, 1695.
Warrant of appraisement granted by Governor Blake to William Rivers, James Witter and Benjamin Lamboll, executors, March 27, 1695.
(Pages 197-199).
March 27, 1695, William Rivers, James Witter and Benjamin Lamboll. executors of the will of Thomas Greatbeach, late of Carolina, deceased, Samuel Williamson and Alexander Spencer, all of Berkeley County, executed their bond to Governor Blake for the faithful performance of their trust by the aforesaid executors.
Witness: John Hamilton.
(Page 196.)
March 27, 1695, Governor Blake directed Edward Drake, Ambrose Dennison, Robert Collins, William Carlisle and Samuel Langley to appraise and make an inventory of the estate of Thomas Greatbeach.
(Page 197.)
