Will of Richard Simpson
Contributed by Rhoda Fone
Richard Simpson, b. Ca. 1692, Stafford
Co., VA. PLEASE NOTE: there is absolutely nothing in the records to show he had
a middle name of "Withers." He married Sarah (unknown), the widow
Barker. (We have been unable to find the name of Sarah's first husband, Mr.
Barker, but her will mentions her son William Barker.) Richard died ca. 1762 in
Fairfax Co., leaving a will as follows:
Fairfax County, Virginia, Will Book B-1, pp. 347-349. Last Will and Testament
of Ritchard Simpson. (Some abstracts show his name as Pritchard and others as
Ritchard. This transcription is by Erick Montgomery from a photocopy of the
recorded will.)
In the name of God amen I Ritchard Simpson being at this time sick and week but
in sound mind & perfect memory makes the following disposals of my worldly
estate with which God has blessed me after my Just Debts & funeral Expenses
are paid.
Item I give and bequeath unto George Simpson the Land I now live on it being
part of two tracks to him & his haiors for ever. Item I give and bequeath
unto Moses Simpson two hundred and fore acres of Land lying on the south run of
Pohick that I purchased of Sam Tollburd to him & his haiors for ever
I further will and bequeath the use of my slaves (to wit) Jack, bes, James,
Boson, Cate, Frank, Sezer, Tom, Hagor, Rbesare [?], Jack, Moll, Ben & Nan
to my beloved wife Sary for & during hur natural life and after hur
decease, I will the said Slaves
Item I give and bequeath unto George Simpson two Negroes Jack and Bess, to him
and his haiors.
Item I give and bequeath unto Ritchard Simpson two Slaves Seser & Tom.
Item I give and bequeath unto Moses Simpson two Slaves Ben & Nan to him and
his heirs for ever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Halley two slaves Rbesare
& Hagar to hur and hur forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto Sary Windser two Slaves Boson and Cate.
Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Canterbury two Slaves Jack and moll to hur
and hur haiors for ever and in default of such haiors then I will the said
Slaves to Elizabeth Halley & Sary Windser to be equally divided between
them.
Item I give unto my grand Daughter Caron Happack one Negroe James. Item I give
unto my grandson George Windser one Negroe Frank. Item I give and bequeath unto
Ritchard Simpson two fether beds and furniture the choice of five my further
desire is that the rest of my Estate personall shoud be equally divided between
my wife & six children and this I declare and publish to be my last will
and Testament revoking and disanulling all former and other Wills &
Testaments by me heretofore made and I do make plain constitute and appoint my
two sons George Simpson and Moses Simpson Executors of this my last will and
Testament.
Signed with my hand and sealed with my hand & seal with my seale this 19th
September in the year of our Lord 1761 in the presants of us
/s/ Ritchard (R-his mark) Simpson
James Halley Junr
Frances Halley
John Winser
At a Court held for the County of Fairfax 21st Decr. 1762
This Will was proved by the oath of James Halley Junr. and John Windsor two of
the Witnesses and at a Court Continues and held for the said County the 22d of
the same Instant This Will was presented in Court by George Simpson and Moses
Simpson Executors herein named who made oath thereto and the same being further
proved by the oath of Frances Halley another Witness is ordered to be recorded
and the Executors having performed what the Law requires Certificate is granted
then for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Teste P Wagoner Ct Clerk
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(Fx. WB C, pp. 33-34 - Fairfax County Virginia Wills Abstracts, 1767-1783, by
Ruth & Sam Saparcio.) Estate of Richard Simpson, decd. To Mr. Edward Payne
for Levys & Taxes; Thomas Windsor, Thomas Windsor, Junr., James Halley,
Eliza Reed for attendance at funeral; Mr. George Johnston; Thomas Poor for
Taylors work; Sarah Simpson's part of the estate deld her; To George Simpson,
James Halley; Samuel Canterbury, Thomas Windsor, Moses Simpson, Richard
Simpson, each 36.3.0 lbs; 11 negroes delivered all devisees; (1763) John
Grahams rent; (1765) Moses Simpson, Geo. Simpson, John Grimes; David Miller;
Joseph Yeatman, John Alderson; Chs. Cornish; William Barker, William
Williamson, Wm. Connelly. Account totalled Tobacco 888 and 872.11.9 lbs.
At a court held .. 20th June 1768 .. George Simpson, one of the executors of Richard Simpson, decd.,
exhibited this account .. Is allowed and ordered to be recorded.
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WILL OF SARAH SIMPSON
Contributed by Rhoda Fone
(Fairfax County VA Will Book B
1752-1767, pp. 418-419) May 1764 Proved 10 August 1766 (from copy of original
handwritten court document).
In the name of God, Amen, I Sarah Simpson widow of the County of Fairfax,
Colony of Virginia, being weak of body but of sound mind and memory calling to
mind the uncertainty of this mortal life that is appointed to all once to die,
do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following.
Imprimis I give and bequeath my Soul to God and my Body to the earth to be
buried in decent Christian like manner, according to the discretion of my
executors hereafter mentioned and doubting but humbly hoping for a joyful
Resurrection to eternal life through the merits and intercession of Jesus
Christ my Savior and for the portion of worldly goods it hath pleased God to
endow me with I will ordain that all debts and funeral charges should be paid
Viz.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my well
beloved son Moses Simpson one gold Ring posed? thus "when this you see,
Remember me" and if my son Moses dies without heir for it to fall to my
Grand-daughter Sarah Simpson, the Daughter of George Simpson.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my
Grand-daughter Sarah Halley, the wife of William Wilkison one gold ring with
the two first letters of her name engraven on it.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my
Grand-daughter Sarah Windsor one gold ring with the two first letters of her
name engraven on it.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my
Grand-daughter Sarah Simpson, the Daughter of Richard Simpson, one gold ring
with her name engraven at large on it.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my
three daughters all my wearing apparriel to be equally divided allowing Elizabeth
Halley first choice.
Item: I give and bequeth unto my Son
George Simpson one shilling sterling.
Item: I give and bequeth unto my Sons
.. Richard Simpson and Moses Simpson one shilling each.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my well
Beloved Son, William Barker all and every part of my estate except the legacies
above mentioned. Lastly I do constitute, and ordain, and appoint WILLIAM BARKER
Executor of this my last will and Testament, hereby renouncing all other and
former wills by me made. Witness my and and seal this day of May in the year of
our Lord one thousand seven and sixty-four.
/s/ Sarah (S-her mark) Simpson
Signed, sealed in the published presence off us
Thos. Ford
William King
Benjamin (B-his mark) Suddath