E. Annette Rose's Genealogy Pages
Wills from Lunenberg Co., Virginia
Hudson/Hutson
Hudson/Hutson
My work is based upon taking the names and dates given to me, using them as clues, and then setting out to verify or disprove, as the case may be, the relationship of all those persons involved.
After the article appeared in the Hudson Family Association Bulletin back in February, 1997, in which I offered the proven facts regarding our Hudson line as discovered in my research, I received a note in the mail from a lady in Virginia who offered to obtain the wills of Richard Hudson, Ward Hudson, John Hudson, and the marriage records of Seth Ward and Mary Hudson, and John Hudson and Mary Beasley.
Interestingly enough, those pages gave me more than I expected, as the pages contain portions of other actions of the court. On one page, just above the action we would be looking for, are the names of John Ward, Seth Ward, and Dicey Ward. Due to research, I can identify these persons as being siblings to Samuel Ward, husband to the named Edith in Ward Hudson's will. Robert Beasley is shown as being a surety in the court action for these people.
This re-enforces the theory that the Beasley, Ward, and Hudson families were intertwined at this point in time.
March 1997
Will Book 2, page 453, 454, Lunenberg County, Virginia:
On the motion of Mary Hudson, and sundry witnesses ----examine it appearing that Richard Hudson deceased, left his last will and testament in writing which will has been since lost, mislaid, or destroyed, and no persons claiming administration on the said order, Charles Hudson and James Hudson, two of the surviving sons of the said deceased having been summons and failing to appear and John, the other, being under age --- that the depositions of Thomas Winn and John Ward and Ward Hudson exhibited in court be admitted to record, and the court -- of opinion -----the circumstances that the same ought to operate as a nuncupative will and such be followed by the legatees and children of the said deceased.
Thomas Winn swears that since the death of Richard Hudson he saw a writing
said to be the last will and testament of the said Richard Hudson which
was near as he can remember it the following purpose he gave his manor plantation
to his son John. To his son Charles, his land in Calle- Po-- field. To Richard
Hudson his son the land between his manor plantation and Per--field. To
James Hudson a negro fellow named Will when he came of age and in this clause
was underlined in a --- hand, a -- of the said negro Will to his wife during
her life or widowhood. All the rest of his estate to his wife, Mary Hudson
during her life of widowhood and appointed her the said Mary and his son,
Charles his executors.
Thomas Winn
Memorandum of what I remember of Richard Hudson's will, first he gave
the plantation he lived on to is youngest son, John. the remainder of his
lands his wife and believes his sons, Charles and Richard, in lieu of lands,
he gave to his son James Hudson a negro man named Will, the remainder of
his estate he gave to his wife during her life or widowhood, but in case
she married or died then the estate to be equally divided among all his
children then living, James was to have his negro when he came to the age
of 21, I maid (sic) the will in the year 177(?) as well as I remember but
I can not say what month but I believe in October.
John Ward
Ward X Hudson
(his mark)
The nuncupative will of Richard Hudson deceased was produced in court and ordered to be recorded.
Wm Taylor, Clk
In the name of God, amen, I Ward Hudson, of Lunenburg County, being sick and weak, but of perfect since (sic) and memory, but calling to mind the frailty of this life, do ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following...
First, I give my soul to God that gave it me, and my body to the yearth (sic) from whence it was taken, to be buried by the discresion (sic) of my executors.
Item, I give to my son John Hudson two hundred acres of land lying on the south side of the road, to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give to my son Richard Hudson two hundred acres of land joining the land of William Moores and Robert Hatchell (?), to him and his heir forever.
Item, I give to my son Rowland Hudson all the remainder of my land it being the plantation I now live on to him and his heirs forever, my will is that if my son Richard dies without heir, then my son Ward Hudson, to have his land. Also if my son Rowland dies without an heir, then my son Lamack Hudson to have his land.
Item, I give to my son Ward Hudson one negro girl named Judy to him and his heir forever, I also give to my daughter, Edith Ward, one negro girl named Esabell to her and her heirs forever.
Item, I give to my daughter Pheby one negro girl named Dal to her and her heir forever. I also give to my daughter Nancy one negro girl named Sarah to her and her heirs forever. I also give to my son Lamack one negroe boy named Ned, also one bed and furniture. I also give to my son Richard one bed and furniture, also I give to my son Rowland one bed and furniture, also I give to my daughter Pheby one bed and furniture, I also give to my son John five pounds current money of Virginia. I give my son Roland negro woman named Clay. I also give to my son Richard one negroe man named Ben. I also give to my beloved wife, two negroes, a man named Cook and the woman named Aggy her natural life or widowhood, and after her death Rowland to have Cook and Richard to have Aggy. All the remainder of my estate not given away, I give to my beloved wife to be at her disposal as she shall think proper. My will is that my estate shall not be appraised, I further appoint Samuel Ward, Richard Hudson, and my wife executors of this, my last will and testament. Revoking and disannulling all wills heretofore by me maid (sic). In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 13th day of January 1790.
John Crymes (his mark)
At a Court held for Lunenburg County, the 12th day of December 1793 the
last will and testament of Ward Hudson, deceased was exhibited in court
by Samuel Ward and Martha Hudson, one of the executors and the executrix,
named in the said will and was proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto
subscribed and ordered to be recorded. and on the motion of the said executor
and executrix who made according to law, certificate is granted them for
obtaining probate of the said will in due form they giving security whereupon
they together with their security entered into and acknowledged bond according
to law for that purpose. (Reserving liberty for the other executor therein
named to join in probate thereof when he shall think fit.)
Teste
William Taylor, clk
In the name of God amen, I, John Hudson, of Lunenburg County, being in a low state of body but in sound and perfect sinces (sic) do acknowledge this my last will and testament.
Item, First, I do desire to commit my body to the dust and my soul to God who first gave it. As to my Funeral Blessings, I give thus,
Item, First, I lend to my dear wife, Mary Hudson, the land and plantation whereon I now live, in during her natural life also three negroes, Jack and --y--ees, and Nell, during life, also household and kitchen furniture in during her life and all stock of all kinds.
Item, I give to my son Fredrick (sic) one negro man by the name of Hall.
Item, I give to my son Rolin (could be Robin), one negro boy by the name of Choals.
Item, I give to Mason Ward one negro girl by the name of Nancy.
Item, I give to my daughter Betsey one negro girl by the name of Ginia.
My will and desire is that the death of my wife the land and property be equally divided that I have lent her between my four children, Frederick and Rolin & Ward & Bestsy, to them and their heirs forever. My will is that their (sic) should be no appraisement.
Dated this fifteenth day of ---- one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of : (no entry)
I do make choice of Steven Beasley and Robert C. Beasley Jr. to be hole (sic) est. to acct. for my ----aforesaid. Acknowledged as above said date and witness
Sam Ward John X Hudson
Thadrick Clark (his mark)
Teste William Taylor Clk.
At a court held for Lunenburg County the 14th day of March 1782 the within written last will and testament of Thomas Harding Jr., dec'd, was exhibited in Court by Robert Harding and Peter Melone, two of the executors therein named was proved by the oaths of two of the witness thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said executors, who made oath according to law, certificates is granted them for obtaining probate of the said will in due form, they giving security whereupon they, together with Robert Beasley and Daniel Malone their securities, entered into and acknowledged bond according to law.
