Will of William Simpson
Contributed by Karen Wood
Pittsylvania Co VA
Will Book 1, pages 412-413
I William Simpson Senr of Pittsylvania Co and the State of Virginia being
indisposed but of sound and disposing mind do hereby make this my Last Will and
Testament in manner and form following Viz.
First I give and bequeath unto my
beloved wife Violet Simpson my house and 1 acre of land during her life and at
her death go to Paskel Keatts my son in law and as much household and
kitchen furniture as she may think proper to take to do as she please with and
she is to have twenty dollars a year for her support from each legatee during
her life if she needs it.
Second I give to my son Presely Simpson
one negro boy named Peter and fifty dollars.
Third I give my son David (K.)
Simpson my will my mill tract of land where he,now lives and he is to pay three
hundred dollars to my estate and I give him a negro girl named Eliza.
Fourth I give to my son Thomas B.
Simpson the tract of land where he now lives and a negro girl named
Patience.
Fifth I give to my son Coleman Simpson
the tract of land where he now lives and the adjoining tract of one hundred
acres and a Negro girl named Chaney and he is to pay one hundred dollars into
my estate.
Sixth I give to my son in law Paskell (sic) Keatts the tract of land I now
live on with the exception of the house and one acre of land as mentioned in
the former part and I give to him my gray mare.
Seventh I give to my daughter Stacy
Keatts one negro girl named Anica to remain in her possession and her increase
if any during life and at her death to go to my daughter Stacy's children. Any
other Negroes I wish to remain on the plantation until the crop is finished.
The Balance of my Estate that I have
not given together with the crop I wish to be sold and all money used have my
debts paid and the balance of the money equaly divided amongst my five Children
I constitute and appoint my son Presely Simpson my Executor to execute this my
last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made as witness
my hand and sel this 23rd Jun in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and
forty.
William Simpson (his mark) Seal
William Dove Jr
William May
Edmund Johns
At a court held for the County of Pittsylvania the 19th day of October
1840 This last will and testament of William Simpson dec'd was proved by two
subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Presley
Simpson the executor in said will named made oath according to law and with
David Simpson, Paschall Keats, William L Pannil(l) and Lynch Dillard, his
securities entered into bond in the penalty of eight Thousand Dollars conditions
as the Law requires certificate was granted him for obtaining probate of said
Will in Due Form.