Will Of Isham Trotter:
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, the thirteth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and niney-one, I, Isham Trotter, of Saint Andrew Parrish in Brunswick County, being sick and weak in body, but of sound and perfect memory, praise be to Almighty God for the same, and knowing the uncertainty of this life on earth, and being desirous to settle all things in order, do make this, my last will and testament, in manner and form following. That is to say, First and principally, I recommend my soul to God, my creator, assured by believing that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of my sins, and be saved by the precious death and merits of my blessed saviour and redeemer, Christ Jesus, and my body to.First: I revoke, frustrate, and make void, all wills by me formaely madewas taken, to be buried in such decent and Christian manner as to , the earth from whence it my Exectorsshall be thought neat and convenient, and as touching my worldly , hereafter named, Estate my will and meaning is the same shall be employed and bestowed, as hereafter by this, my will, is expressed.
Item: I will that all my just debts be paid as soon after my decease as possible.
Item: I lend unto my dear wife, Jane, four negroes, to wit: Bob, Robin, Judy and Harry; also my double chair and harness, for and during her natural life; which four negroes and the chair and harness are in lieu of Dower.
Item: My will and desire is that all my estate shall be kept together for the maintenance and education of my children; but as they come of age or marry, they are to draw their equal proportion of negroes, and stock of every kind, to be proportioned and allotted to them respectively as my exector, George Trotter, shall think best and proper.
Item: My will and desire is that my dear wife keep posession of my whole tract of land where on I now live until the younges child shall come to the age of twenty-one years, or marry, at which time the said tract is to be sold by my Executor, George Trotter, and the money equally divided between all my children then living, provided, nevertheless, that if my dear wilfe shall be living at that time as a widow she is to remain in possession of the dwellinghouse and appurtenances with four hundred acres of land adjoining of that part called the old tractafter , and the residue only sold; her death the said four hundred are to be sold in same mannersame , and the money divided in the manner.
Item: I will and desire my tract of land in Dinwiddie County whereon Mr. Richard Birch no lives, in which he and his wife have their life in, at the death of the survivor of them, shall be sold by my said executor, George Trotter, and the money arising there for divided in the same equal manner as the account of sales of the other land.
Item: I lend...my dear wife, all my household and kitchen furniture during her widowhood.
Item: I give my son, Richard, my watch, and all my Joiners Tools. Lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my beloved wifemy , Jane Executrix with my brother, George Trotter, executor of this, last will and Testamentand . In Witness where of I have here unto set my hand and seal, the day date above mentioned.
Isha Trotter, (seal)
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us:
Benj. Jones,
Micholas J. Bourdon,
H. Randolph,
George Trotter.
This my codicil made this first day of June, 1791, I beg may be considered as part of my will before made, that is to say, I give and bequeath to my son, Richard, my horse of a sorrel color, called Lightfoot. In Witness where of I have set my name and seal.
Isham Trotter (seal)
Witness: H. Randolph
A. Walker
Brunswick County Court, October 24th, 1791
This last will and Testament of Isham Trotter,
deceased, was proved according to law by the oaths of George
Trotter and Benjamin Jones, and the codicil annexed was proved by
the oath of Alexander Walker, and on the motion of George Trotter,
one of executors therein named who made oath thee to, and
together with Buckner Stith and Henry Maclin, his Securities,
entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of five
thousand pounds, with condition as the law directs.
Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due
form, liberty being reserved for the other executor to join in
the probate thereof when she thinks proper; and on the 28th day
of November `1791, the same being Court Day, the said Will and
Codicil annexed was proved by the oath of Harrison Randolph, also
a witness thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Test: John Jones C. B. C.
Copy Test: W. E. Elmore, Clerk,
Will Book No. 5, Page 451