Nelson Co., Virginia
Will of Robert Mays (son of Joseph and Sarah Mays)
Will book J, page 277
I Robert Mays Sr. of the County of Nelson and State of
Virginia make this my last will and testament, revoking all others heretofore
made, in manner and form following, that is, my will and desire is that all my
just debts and funeral expenses be paid. I give to my son Willis (N.?) Mays one
cow and calf. I have heretofore given him a negro girl named Nancy, one horse,
one saddle and bridle. I give to my son Frederick Mays one negro woman named
Mary and her future increase and one negro girl named Nancy and her future
increase to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son Jesse Mays one negro
man named Abraham and two negro girls Emily and Milley and their future
increase to him and his forever. I give to my son Robert Mays one negro man
named Bartlett to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son William Mays one
negro boy named Arthur to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son Jefferson
Mays one negro woman named Charlotte and her future increase and one negro boy
named Henry to him and his heirs forever. I give to my Alexander Mays one negro
boy named James and one negro girl named Margaret and her future increase to
him and his heirs forever. I give to my daughter Sally Spencer the wife of
James Spencer one cow and calf. I have heretofore given her a negro girl named
Eliza and one feather bed and furniture. I give to my son at law Samuel Spencer
one dollar. I have heretofore given to my daughter Paulina Spencer who is now
deceased a negro woman named Patience. I give to four of my sons (this is) Jesse
Mays, William Mays, Jefferson Mays, Alexander Mays and my daughter Lucy Mays my
tract of land on which I now reside, containing by survey three hundred and
seventy acres be the same more or less to be equally divided between the four
named sons and my daughter Lucy, the one fifth part of each, to them and their
heirs forever. And it is my will that my daughter Sally Spencer shall have a
lot of sixty acres at the corner adjoining to Dillards old mill on Naked Creek
for and during her natural life and at her death to be the property of the four
sons and daughter, this is, Jesse Mays, William Mays, Jefferson, Alexander Mays
and Lucy Mays as spoken of above. I give to four of my children, that is Jesse
Mays, Jefferson Mays, Alexander Mays and Lucy Mays all my household and kitchen
furniture of every description to be equally divided between them to them and
their heirs forever. My will and desire is that the balance of my cattle not
disposed of heretofore and all my horses, hogs and sheep be sold and after paying
my debts, the balance to be equally divided between my son Jesse Mays and y
daughter Lucy Mays. My will and desire is that my old negro woman named Fanney
shall have the liberty of living with any of my children that she may choose. I
constitute and appoint my friends George Vaughan and James M Dillard my
executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 27th day of June 1848.
Robert Mays Sr.
In the presence of Robert K Hargood
Albert Bibb
George Cox
At a court held for Nelson County the 25th day
of July 1853 This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and
testament of Robert Mays deceased was produced in said Court and proved by the
oaths of Albert Bibb and George Cox, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto
and ordered to be recorded and George Vaughan and James M Dillard the executors
therein named being in Court and refusing to take upon themselves the burden of
the execution thereof, on the motion of Jefferson Mays who made oath according
to law and together with Jesse Mays, Alexander Mays and James M Dillard his
securities entered into and acknowledgted their bond in the penalty of nine
thousand dollars conditioned according to law, certificate is granted him for
obtaining letters of administration with the will annexed on the estate in due
form of law.
Teste Thomas J Massie, clk