Written
in 1729, recorded in 1731
Essex County, Virginia
In the name of God Amen I, Anthony
Samuel
of the Parish of St. Ann in the County of Essex being very aged but of perfect sense and memory --?--
be to God for the same do make this last Will and testament revoking and disallowing all wills and testaments heretofor by
me made and this and no other to be taken for my last will and testament in manner and form following :
I give and bequeath to my son Anthony Samuel the plantation whereon he now lives with as much land
adjoining thereto as will make it up one hundred acres and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my son James Samuell the plantation whereon he now lives with as much
land adjoining thereto as will make it up one hundred acres to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my two sons Henry and Thomas Samuel four hundred and sixteen acres of
land lying in the freshes of Rappah. River which was purchased from John Ridgdale deceased to be equally divided between
them to them and their heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my aforesaid sons Henry and Thomas Samuell the plantation and land whereon
I now live to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever but it is my will that the division be so made that
the dwelling house be in my son Thomas Samuel's part and it is further my will notwithstanding the aforesaid bequest that
my loving wife Mary Samuel hold and enjoy the same for and during her natural life with all the advantages thereunto belonging.
Item it is my will that my two sons Henry and Thomas Samuel do in consideration of the aforesaid
bequests convey to my grandson John Merchant in full, fifty acres of land out of the four hundred and sixteen acres of land
given to them by this will or purchase so much forest land for him when he shall attain the age of twenty-one years.
Item I lend use of one Negro boy named George to my loving wife for and during her natural life
and after her decease the said Negro boy to go and descend to my daughter Mary, the wife of Cornelius Sail to her and her
heirs forever.
Item it is my will and desire that my two sons Henry and Thomas Samuel shall not nor their heirs
any time or times forever hereafter claim any right or title to the land by this my will given to my two sons Anthony and
James Samuel. I lend the use of my part of a Negro man named Peter which was purchased by myself and my son Thomas Samuel
to my loving wife for and during her natural life and after her decease my son Thomas Samuel to have hold and enjoy the same.
Item I lend the use of one Negro woman Bess to my loving wife for and during her natural life and
after her decease my son Thomas Samuel to have hold and enjoy the aforesaid Negro woman forever saving the first child the
said Negro woman shall have and live I give to my Grand Daughter Mary Samuel the daughter of Thomas Samuel to her and her
heirs forever.
Item I lend the use of one Negro girl named Jenny to my loving wife for and during her natural life
and after her decease my son Henry to have hold and enjoy the aforesaid Negro girl to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Samuel one Negro boy named Robin to him and his heirs
forever and it is my will and desire that my son Thomas Samuel have all my carpenters and coopers tools crosscut saw and all
other working tools belonging to me, my loving wife having the use of them during her natural life and all the rest and remainder
of my estate not herein bequeathed be it of what nature or property soever I lend the use thereof to my loving wife for and
during her natural life and what shall remain thereof at her decease it is my will and desire that it be equally divided between
my three daughters with the increase thereof if any, to Ann Colquitt, Margaret Hampton, and Judith Bannister and I do
make constitute and appoint my loving wife Mary and my son Thomas Samuel executress and executor of this my last will and
testament in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty seventh day of November in the
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred twenty and nine.
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Anthony Samuel to be his last will and testament
in presence of
Thomas Warren
James Taylor
Anthony (X )Samuel
Thomas (B) Brown
