Will of Mathew Mayes

Recorded Greensville Co., VA

December Court 1796 Will Book 1, pg 343

In the name of God Amen, I Mathew Mayes of Greensville County do make and ordain this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made. First. I desire my body may be decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned and next that my just debts be paid and as to the rest of my estate, I give and disclose of it in manner and form following to wit: I will that my executors, hereafter to be mentioned, sell to the highest bidder the following negroes on twelve months credit. One negro man slave Willis, one woman slave Aggy and one negro girl named Jenny.

ITEM. I give and bequeath to my sons my lands as follows: After the death of my wife, my will is that they be equally divided between my sons, Irvin Brown Mayes and Drury Spain Mayes and Matthew Peterson Mayes. Never the less should my wife Francis Mayes make over to my son Irvin Brown her right and title to the land which decendeth to her by the death of her brother Burrell Brown then and in that case after death of my wife, I give and bequeath to my son Drury Spain Mayes the land and plantation I purchased of Turner Williamson in this county and also the land and Plantation I purchased of John Goodwyn formerly the property of Lewis Dupree, Senr. Also the five acres of land joining Simon Turner, Jr.

ITEM. I give and bequeath to my son Matthew Peterson Mayes the land and plantation where I now live but in case that either of my sons should die under age of 21 and without issue that the survivors of their legal representative shall enjoy the same which said land above mentioned, I to them their heirs and assigns forever and there is two fishing places the one on Drury S. Mayes land and the other Irvin Brown Mayes land which may in time be very Valuable. My will and desire is that my three sons as above mentioned have an equal right and interest in the fisheries

ITEM. I give to my son Irvin, one likely negro slave between the age of twelve and sixteen years. Also I give one Colt and my Joiners and Wheelright tools and also try Blacksmith tools also my saddle and Bridle immediately after my death.

ITEM. I give to my son Drury Mayes after the death of my wife one likely negro slave between the age of sixteen and twenty one. I give and bequeath to my son Matthew Peterson Mayes after the death of my wife one negro between the age of sixteen and twenty one.

ITEM. I give and bequeath to my wife Francis Mayes one sorrel mare, one bay horse, one chain and harness, four cows and calves, choice of three saws and pigs, twenty one small shoats and four feather beds and furniture to her and her heirs forever.

ITEM. It is my will and desire that after my death all my crop and stock not before mentioned excepting as much corn and pork as will serve for the family should be sold and applied to the use of paying my debts.

ITEM. I will to my sons Drury Spain Mayes and Matthew Patterson Mayes after the death Of My Wife all my Household furniture not before Mentioned to be equally divided between them.

ITEM. I lend the use of my Estate to my wife Francis Mayes, during her natural life provided she raise, maintain and educate my children in a manner agreeable to what might be expected in the opinion of my Executors having regard to the Estate lent until they shall arrive at age 21 years and after her death, I give the same to be equally divided between my two Daughters Mary Thweatt Mayes and Martha Pritchett Mayes, to them, their heirs and assigns forever.

ITEM. I Nominate and appoint my wife, John Goodwyn, Braddock Goodwyn and Alexander Mada Executors to this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this ninth day of April 1796. Signed Sealed and Declared to be my last will and Testament in Presence of: Joseph Gee, John Harriss, Frederick Posch; signed: Matthew (Seal) Mayes. Greensville County December Court 1796. This Will was proved according to Law by the Oath of Joseph Gee. a witness thereto and Ordered to be recorded and on motion of John Goodwyn and Braddock Goodwyn two of the Executors therein names who made Oath thereto and with James Hinton, William Robinson, Junior, John Jeter, and Turner Williamson their securities entered into and acknowledged Bond in the penalty Eight thousand dollars with condition as the law directs. Certificate was granted then for obtaining probate therof in our form. Teste: P. Pelham. Ct. Cur.