NOTE: Spellings have not been changed

In the name of God Amen, I George Isdell of Northampton County in Virginia being very sick and weak in body but having a perfect memory (praised be God for it) do make and appoint this my last will and testament in manner and form following, hereby revoking and disanulling all other wills and testiments by me formerly made.

Imprimus - I bequeath my soul to almighty God in sure and certain hopes of my joyfull resurrection to life everlasting through theonly merits and mercy of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body to be buried with a Christian funeral and my worldly estate to be disposed of as hereafter is by me appointed.

Item - I give and bequeath unto my youngest son George Esdell and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten one hundred acres of land it being the full half and moyety of my two hundred acres of land which I brought and had of Robert Tompson and is lying and being in the woods in the county aforesaid and his my said son Georges hundred acres to be the Homestall side on which I am now seated with all the houses, fences, orchard or orchards and all what ever else the priviledges whatsoever thereunto in any wise apperteining or belonging I freely give to him to my son George and to his lawfull begotten heirs forever. More I give to my son George Esdell one chest of about four foot long, one grind stone for the good of the plantation, more I give him one iron kettle of about five or six gallons, one couch, one table with my long gun, more between my said son George and daughter Ann, one black mare and her yearling.

Item - I give and bequeath to my eldest son Edward Isdell and his heirs lawfully begotten forever the other half and moyety of my said two hundred acres of land with all the priviledges whatsoever there unto belonging or appertaining.

Item - My will and pleasure is that the said two hundred acres of land shall be equally divided by and with a direct line, run from the head to the foot between my said sons George and Edward Isdell when they my said sons shall see cause.

Item - I give and bequeath to my loving wife Mary Isdell during her natural life the same feather bed and bolster, blanket and pillows with the bedstead matt. and cord on which I usually lay and at her decease I give and bequeath it to my son George, more I give to my said loving wife one iron pot of seven or eight gallons, one great chest with all that is in it and my desire is that at her decease the said chest shall be my daughter Anns more between my said loving wife and son George to remain for the use and good of the plantation one horse and cart and wheels.

Item - I give and bequeath to be equally divided between my son Edward and daughter Ann one feather bed, bolster, rug and blanket, bedstead matt. and cord with one iron pot of six or seven gallons, more to my son Edward my short gun, pistol and sword.

Item - My will and desire is that my whole stock of cattle shall be by my Overseers (whom I do appoint) as soon as possable after my decease divided equally between my loving wife Mary, son George, son Edward and daughter Ann Isdell and my desire is that my stock of hogs shall be and remain for the use and behalf of my said loving wife, son George and daughter Ann on the plantation.

Item - My desire and will is that what shall remain over and above of my estate besides what I have here bequeathed shall be equally divided between my loving wife, son George and daughter Ann.

Item - My will and pleasure is that my son George shall be at age at eighteen years and not before if my loving wife lives so long, but if it please God she shall die before he attain to that age then at her decease he to be at age, but not to buy, barter, or sell without the consent of my Overseers before he be at age the full age of one and twenty.

Item - My will and desire is that my mill shall be and remain for the use of my loving wife during her natural life and at her decease I give and bequeath it to my two sons George and Edward and if either of them is willing to sell his share to the other then my will is that the purchaser shall pay the other five hundred pounds of tobacco for his share.

Item - I give and bequeath to my grandson Robert Tompson one cow calf, to my grandaughter Tabitha Orton one yearling heifer to take them into their custody at my decease.

Item - I give to my son George all my tools, Carpenters and Coopers and my desire is that my son Edward if he lives near to him shall have the use of them or any of them as if they were his own.

Item - My desire is and I do humbly crave my four loving friends Mr. George Clarke, Mr. Ralph Pigot, Mr. Wm. Waters Jun'r and my son in law William Orton to be Overseers of this my lat will and testament.

Item - I do appoint my loving wife aforesaid to be my whole and sole exec'rx of this my last will and testament.

Item - My desire is that my son in law William Orton shall have priviledge to get and fall pine timber for his own use on my two hundred acres not making waste during the natural life of my said son in law Wm. Orton. In confirmation of this my last will and testament and of every part thereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 8th day of October 1687

The words interlined and raised concerning the priviledge of my son in law Wm. Orton was written before the signing and sealing hereof.

George Esdell

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us;

Ralph Pigot

Wm. Waters Jun'r

Wm. Orton

The 28th day of November anno 1687, Then the within and above written last will and testament of George Esdell Sen'r deceased was proved in open court by the corporal oaths of Mr. Ralph Pigot, Mr. Wm. Waters Jun'r and Wm. Orton and approved of and ordered to be recorded.

Teste - Daniel Neech Clk. Cur.

Recorded - Daniel Neech Clk. Cur. Co. Northampton

Walczyk Frank V.  Northampton County Order & Wills) 1686 - 1689, Vol. 11. Coram NY: Peter's Row; pp. 80, 81.