Will: Thomas Page

THOMAS PAGE Will

Prince William County Will Book  M, pg 31

13 Jun 1822; proved 07 Jul 1823

In the name of God Amen I being in sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament.  Inprimis.  I leave to my dear wife & children all the property I now possess as also what is expected from our Richmond claim except as to BACCHUS and MARY who I leave free with an annuity of twenty pounds a year which annuity I solicit my Executors hereafter named to see carried into full effect my friends Robert Page and Michael Cleary of Occoquan will I hop see that my intention is to have its full force resting my hopes in a merciful redeemor I commit my soul to him who we all believe to have been the Saviour of the word.  Given under my hand this 13^th day of June 1822.

THOMAS T. PAGE

As a codicil to my will I further direct you should give them two cows & calves and assist them as long as they live for the services rendered me.

Witness,

ROBERT PAGE, MICHAL CLEARY

At a Court held for Prince William County July 7^th 1823.

This last will and testament & codicil thereunder written of THOMAS T. PAGE decd. was presented to the court and it appearing that the same is all in the hand writing of the testator it is ordered to be recorded and Michael Cleary one of the Exors. Therein named came into court and renounced the burden of the Execution thereof, and it further appearing to the satisfaction of the court that Robert Page the other Exor named in the said will declines acting as such, thereupon administration with the said will annexed of Thomas T. Page decd. is granted to Samuel Williams who came into court and made oath to the same according to law, and took the oath of administrator with the will annexed, and entered into and acknowledged a bond with secy. As the law directs.

Teste, P. D. DAWE

Newspaper Tidbits

Alexandria Herald – 21 August 1815

I will rent, for the ensuing year, the FARM adjacent to the town of Dumfries, the late residence of John Macrae, deceased, generally known by the name of ORANGEFIELD.  The farm comprises 200 acres, a large proportion of which is arable land.  The improvements on it are an excellent dwelling house, dairy, stable, & c. with a good orchard.  The tenant will have the privilege of sowing wheat the next Autumn.

JOHN MACRAE

Dumfries, Aug. 18.

Frederick Herald - 15 September 1832

100 REWARD.  Ranaway from the subscriber, living near Haymarket, Va., on Saturday night 1^st of September, a Negro man named DICK, purchased a few days since of Mr. R. Foster, of Prince William county. 

Dick is about 21 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches high, tolerably heavy built, and well proportioned – of dark copper or chestnut color.  He wore away a dark round jacket, yellow jean pantaloons, and fur hat half worn.  He has just been brought from Pennsylvania, and no doubt attempting to go back.

I will give the above reward if taken in the state of Pennsylvania, fifty dollars if taken in Maryland, and twenty five if taken in Virginia, and secured in any jail until I get him again.

PEYTON NORVELL

September 15.

Will: Joseph Butler

Joseph Butler Will

Prince William County

Will Book H, Pages 50-52

22 Sept. 1788, Probate 8 Jan 1793

In the name of God amen I Joseph Butler of Prince William Count state of Virginia being in perfect health do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament as touching what wordly Estate it hath pleased almighty God to bestow upon me My Will and desire is to bestow in the following manner.  First My will and desire is that my just debts be honestly paid.

2. Item I give and devise unto my loving wife Anna Butler my whole Estate both real and personal during her widow hood and after her deceas or marrage, To be disposed of in manner and form following --

3. Item I give and bequeath unto my son James Carter Butler five pounds current money to be laid out in cloths for him to ware. This is to be done by my Exors. hereafter mentioned--

4. Item I give and bequeath unto my Joseph Butler one shilling sterling money --

5.  Item I give and bequeath unto my son William Butler one shilling sterling money --

6. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Butler one shilling sterling money --

7.  Item I give and bequeath unto my son Laurance Butlers deced' children Sarah Anne Joseph Jacob Colvert and Mary Colvert a negroe man named Jack to be equilly divided amongst them which negro I have already made a Deed of Gift to them.

8.  Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Catherine Botts one shilling sterling money--

9.  Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Francis Barker one shilling sterling money--

10.  Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Butler the following negroes to wit Lydia, Charlotte, and Preston one bed and furniture, a chest of drawers, a ceeder table, a square leef oval walnut table and a square walnut table after the Death of her mother and should my daughter Anne die without heir lawfully begotten then my will is that my daughter Mary Carter shall have the whole Estate given to my daughter Anne Butler.

11. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Carter the following Negroes to wit Hanna, Silvie, Ruth and Sam after the death of her mother and should my daughter Mary carter die without heir lawfully begotten then my will is that my daughter Anne Butler shall have the whole Estate given to my daughter Mary Carter.

12.  Item my will is that my loving wife shall dispose of the following slaves at her death as she may think proper to wit Will, Phill, Daniel, Elijah, Cate, young Jude and Old Jude -- Revoking disanuling all will before this I constitute and appoint my loving wife and my son in law David Carter Executors of this my last will and Testment.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty second day of September one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Eight.

Jos. Butler {seal}

Witnesses present

Spilsby Stone

Benjamin Stone

Jesse Stone

Margaret Stone

At a court continued and held for Prince William County the 8th [?] day of January 1793. This Last Will and Testament of Joseoph Butler Deceased was presented to the Court by Ann Butler his Widow the Executrix therein named who made oath to the same according to Law and the same being proved by the oaths of Spilsby Stone and Jesse Stone is admitted to record and the Executrix having performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste.  Robert Graham

Will Book: William Fitzhugh Inventory (Slaves Only)

In addition to Wills that left slaves and other "property" to specific heirs, county Will Books include accounts and inventories of estates that can include important genealogical information.  In this Inventory, an occupation and the names of parents are mentioned. 

WILLIAM FITZHUGH Inventory

(Slaves only)

Prince William County Will Book I, pg. 41

2 July 1804

IN OBEDIENCE to an Order of Prince William Court bearing date July second 1804 directing us the Subscribers to Inventory and apprays the Est. of WILLIAM FITZHUGH decd being first sworn we have proceed’d as follows to wit.

One Negro man named BENJAMIN (a carpenter) - $263.33

One Negro Man named GEORGE - $333

One Woman named MARY - $300

One Mulatoe lad named BRAXTON - $300

One Mulatoe man named RANDOLPH - $400

One decriped man named ABINGO - $100

One Negro girl named PEGGY - $260

One Negro boy named BARNETT - $200

Oen Mulatoe woman LUCY & child ROSANNA - $300

One Mulatoe woman named FANNY - $200

One Negro woman named DAPHNY - $300

One Negro boy named REUBEN - $200

One Mulatoe child named NELLY (daughter of FANNY) - $80

One Mulatoe child named SIDNEY (Lucy’s daughter) - $150

One Mulatoe boy named FRANK (son of Lucy) - $60

One Mulatoe child named BEVERLY (son of Lucy) - $80

One Negro boy named ROBERSON (son of Mary) - $100

Amount of Negroes - $3,576.33

Bill of Sale: Burroughs to Tackett and Grigsby

Researching slave ancestors can be a challenge, but every day more resources and period records are finding their way onto the Internet. One such resource is Afrigeneas, which has been online for ten years.

In addition to slave schedules and census records, county Deed and Will books can also provide a wealth of information.

Burroughs to Tackett and Grigsby Bill of Sale
Prince William County Deed Book 1, pg. 77

Know all men by these presents that I Benjamin Burroughs of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds current money of Virginia to me in hand paid by William Tackett and James Grigsby of the County and Commonwealth aforesaid (the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and thereof do acquit and discharge the said William Tackett and James Grigsby their heirs executors and administrators) have granted bargained & sold and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said William Tackett & James Grigsby, their heirs Executors, administrators & assigns, one negro man named Abraham and one negroe woman named Mary to have & to hold the said two slaves Abraham & Mary to them the said William Tackett and James Grigsby their heirs executors admors & assigns, and I the said Benjamin Burroughs do for myself my heirs executors and admors warrant and for ever defend the aforesaid property to them the said William Tackett and James Grigsby their heirs executors & assigns against me my heirs executors & administrator, and against any and every other person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 5th day of March 1800.

Benjamin Burroughs {seal}

Signed and sealed and delivered in presence of }
Hugh Davis, A. Lithgow Jr.
Allen Lowden, Thos. A. Smith

At a Court contd. And held for Prince Wm. County the 6th day of May 1800. This bill of sale from Ben. Burroughs to Wm. Tackett and Jas. Grigsby was proved by the oath of Alex. Lithgow Junr. And Thos. A. Smith and ordered to be recorded.

Teste. John Williams

Certificate: Tebbs to Muschett

W. J. Tebbs to Charles M. Muschett Certificate
Prince William County Deed Book 1, pg. 78

I hereby certify that Charles M. Muschett this day made oath before me that his removal to the State of Virginia was with no intention to evade the act preventing the further importation of slaves within the Commonwealth nor has he brought with him or will cause to be brought any slave with an intent of selling them and that none of the slaves now in his possession to wit Mary, Charles & Anna have been imported from Africa or any of the West India Islands since the 1st day of November 1778. Given under my hand this 15th day of April 1800.

W. J. Tebbs

At a Court contd. And held for Prince Wm. County the 3d day of June 1800. This certificate of slaves imported from W. J. Tebbs to Chs. M. Muschett was presented to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste. John Williams

Will: John Edges

JOHN EDGES Will

Prince William county Will Book C, pg. 133

16 July 1737; proved 26 Jun 1738

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Edges of the County of Prince William in Virginia being very sick and week in body, but of perfect sence and sound disposing memory thanks be to God do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.  First I give and bequeath to my Soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it trusting in my Saviour Jesus Christ to have a joyful Resurrection at the last day, and my body to the Earth to be buried in the Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter mentioned.  Second, I give unto Rachel Spiller Wife of William Spiller Sun one Negro lad called Harry and one Negro Woman named Ginny enduring her natural life and at her Decease then it is my Will that my Kinswoman Elizabeth Maguire shall have the said two Negros Harry & Ginny, her & her heirs for ever but and if the said Negro Woman should have any Children that then the said Rachel Spiller shall have the Disposal of the said Negro Childrens to give to whomsoever she pleases.  Thirdly, I give to Rachel Spiller all the rest of my personal Estate abeit of what kind, nature or quality soever enduring the natural life of the said Rachel Spiller and after her Decease to my Kinswoman Elizabeth Maquire who is now bound to William and Rachel Spiller and to her and her heirs for ever.  Lastly, I do hereby order constitute and appoint my loving friend Rachel Spiller to be my sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 16^th day of July Anno Domini 1737.

Signed Sealed & acknowledged by

JOHN H. EDGES

In the Sight and Presence of

LEWIS TACKETT

MARY M. TACKETT

FRNACES LIASON

At a Court held for Prince William County June 26, 1738.

This Will was presented in Court by Rachel Spiller the Executrix within named who made oath thereto and the same being proved by the Oath of the Witnesses to it subscribed was admitted herewith and on the motion of the said Executrix and her performing what is usual in such Cases Certificate was granted her for obtaining a [illegible] thereof in [illegible].