The Last Will and Testament of John Downing - 6 June 1718 - Transcribed by Sandra Perkins
Spelling remains the same
In
the name of God amen that I John Downing of Accomack County in Virginia being very
sick & weak in body but praise be to God that I have my right sinces do I having
a desire to make this my Last will & Testament Viz first I give my soul to all mighty
God whom gave it me and my body to the Earth to be buryed Christian like manner and
my worldly Estate I give as followeth in this manner & form
Item I give and
bequeath to my son John Downing my plantation and land containing Seventy acres of
Land Lying in Northampton County being part of the Land that was Samuel Cobb only
my wife Frances Downing to have her In my plantation and Land and not to be disturbed
or mislisted of any profeet (profit) nor convenance that she can make off thereof
and after my wifes decease I give my said plantation & Land to my said Son John Downing
to him and his heirs for ever
Item I give to my daughter Mary Walter one pewter
dish, one bible and two Ewes
Item I give all the Remainer of my Estate to
my Loving wife Frances Downing during her natural Life and after her decease then
to be Equally Divided among all my Children Except Mary Walter my children to chuse
two men to divide it for them
I apoynt my Son John Downing to be my soul Executor
of this my Last will & Testament Revoaking disanuling all other will & Testaments
publish and declare this to be my Last will and Testament
I desire said worshipel
(worshipful) Court to prove this my will and to take no furder cear of my Estate
I have heare unto Set my hand and seal this six day of June in the year one thousand
seven hundred and Eighteen
John Downing
Signed Sealed Delivered in the
presence of us
William Bell
William Harman
Simon Harmon
The within
Last will & Testament of John Downing was proved in open Court of Accomack County
by the oaths of William Bell William Harmon & Simon Harmon the three witnesses to
the same August the 5th 1718 which said court admitted to Record
Char. Snead
Clerk of Court for Accomack
Recorded Aug. the 14th 1718
Sources:
_____. Accomack County, Virginia. Wills 1715-29, pp. 53a, 54.
© Copyright 2011-2012 by Sandra Perkins