WILL

THE WILL OF BENJAMIN WESTRAY, 1780

Isle of Wight Will Book Vol 9 page 60-61

In the name of God Amen, I Benjamin Westray of the Isle of Wight County, being sick and weak in

Body but of a sound memory, Thanks be to the Almighty God for the same, and calling to

Rememberance the uncertain state of this transitory life do make, ordain and constitute to be

my last Will and testament in manner and form following;

Item, I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Lucy Westray, during her life or

widdowhood, Ten head of cattle, one black horse, Ten head of Sheep, Twenty five head of hogs,

three feather Beds and furniture, The whole of the pewter, all the pots and pans with all the

house hold furniture and one Negro fellow called David, and after her life or widdowhood the

whole of the said estate; I give and bequeath unto my children Matthew, Chloe, Mills, Sally and

John, to be equally and fairly divided, between and amongst them. Item, I give and bequeath

unto my son Matthew Westray One tract of land containing seventy five acres, being the tract of

land formerly belonging to Benjamin Tomlin, Dec, one forty gallon still, and one young bay mare

to him and his heirs forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Chloe Westray one

Negro fellow called Dick to her and her heirs forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my

daughter Sally Westray three hundre pounds lawfull money to her and her heirs forever. Item, I

give and bequeath unto my son Mills Westray a certain tract or parcel of land whereon William

Westray now lives containing fifty acres, and one gun to him and his heirs forever. Item, I

give and bequeath to my son John Westray my manor plantation contaning fifty acres to him and

his heirs forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto Margaret Tomlin, the widow of Benjamin

Tomlin, deceased, two cows. Item, I desire that the residue of my estate of all kind may be

sold and after paying my debts and making good the legacy to my daughter Sally Westray, the

balance if any I give and bequeath to all my children to be equally and fairly divided amongst

them and I do hereby appoint my friend and brother William Westray executor of this my last

Will and testament in Witness whereof I do here unto set my hand and affix my seal this tenth

day of Januray, one thousand seven hundred and eighty.

(he signed his name)

Witnesseth

Edmond Westray

Joseph Westray

Elias Westray

At a court held for the Isle of Wight County, February the 1st 1781, this Will was presented in

Court and proved by the oaths of Edmond Westray, Joseph Westray and Elias Westray, the

witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded, and William Westray, the executor therein named,

refused to take upon himself the burden of the execution thereof and upon presentation of James

Johnson, who made oath thereto according to law, and together with Edmund Westray, his security

entered into bond, its penalty of one hundred thousand [pounds], with condition as the law

directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of [friends?], in due form,

administration [????] on the said estate with the will [????] of the said Benjamin Westray.