Examining Culture through the Lens of a Will

Will of Francis Eppes the 4th

Written November 7, 1733
Proved in court December 1734

In the name of God Amen I Francis Eppes of the parishParish of Henrico in the County County of Henrico being Weak in body but of Sound and [Disserning?] mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to Say ImprimisImprimis I commend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God and remitt my body unto the Earth by Decent buryal at the Descreation [disgression] of my Executors Executors herein after named, assuredly trusting in the Mercy of Christ Jesus my redeemer for External Salvation at the day of the Resurrection and Touching my Worldly Estate with which it hath pleased god to bestow upon me.
I give and dispose of the Same as followeth. Viz. Viz I give, devise and bequeath unto my Son Francis Eppes all and Singuler my lands lying and being in Bermuda hundred in the County of Henrico reserving to my Wife Sarah Eppes one Moiety Moiety[hyperlink definition 1. a half, one of two equal parts; 2. a portion 3. one of two parts (not necessarily equal] of the house wherein I now live with the use of the outhouses outhouses and orchards thereunto belonging in Common with my Said Son. As also the previledge of Working and Tending two hundred Acres part of ye Land [copy illegible] upon for Such parts and parcels as my Said Wife and Son Shall agree, and in Case of their Disagreement the[n?] my wishes is that they Chuse one or more indifferent person to Assign ye Same in Such place or places as Such person or persons Shall think most Equitable during the Term of her Natural life, and that after her Death the Same shall be and remain for my Said Son Francis and his heirs forever. Item. I give devise and bequeath unto my Said Son Frances Eppes all of that Tract or parcel of Land Scituate lying and being in the County aforesaid commonly called and known by the name of Long Field containing nine hundred and eight acres to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give, Devise and bequeath unto my Said Son Francis all [that?] Tract or Parcel of Land, Scituate lying and being in ye Country Aforesaid commonly called and known by the Name of Skin Quarter containing [six?] Thousand acres to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give devise and bequeath unto my said Son Francis Eppes Three thousand five hundred acres of Land Scituate lying and being in the county of Goochland near the Mountains being part of a greater Quantity beginning at the Line of Charles Hudson dividing the Said Hudson's Land from mine and so extending ye Bredth of the said Land so much to be laid of as will make ye Above quantity to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give, divise and bequeath unto my Son Richard Eppes all that Tract or parcel of Land scituate lying and being in Prince George County containing Seven hundred and fifty acres to him and his heirs forever and in Case my Said Son Should dye before he hath Lawfull Issue then I give the Same To my Son William and his heirs forever. Item I give, devise and bequeath unto my Said Son Richard Eppes all the Tract or parcel of Land Situate lying and being in Henrico County commonly called Winterpock upper Quarter containing Seven hundred Acres also one other Tract including Eleven hundred acres being half Winterpock Old Survey, half ye Land I formerly purchased of Henry Cox, also half ye Land I formerly purchased of Richard Kennon including the said Eleven Hundred Acres to him and his heirs forever and in case he Dies without issue Lawfully begotten, then I give and devise ye Several parcels of Land Aforesaid to my son William and his heirs forever. Item I give, devise and bequeath unto my said son Richd Richd Eppes one Moiety of ye land I took up Scituat, lying and being in the County aforesaid adjoining to ye Lands formerly Devised to my Said Son Richard called ye Wintopock Tract containing two Thousand five hundred Acres To him and his heirs forever, and in case he Dies without Issue Lawfully begotten then I give and Devise the same to my son William and his heirs forever. Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Said Son Richard Eppes all that Tract or parcel of Land situate lying and being in ye County aforesaid commonly called and known by the name of the Nutt Tree containing Two hundred and fifty Acres to him and his heirs forever, and in Case he Dies without Issue Lawfully begotten then I give and Devise ye same to my Son William and his heirs forever. Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Said Son Richard Eppes all that Tract or parcel of Land Situate lying and being on Swift Creek in ye County aforesaid containing Two hundred and Eighty Acres to him and his heirs forever, and in case he Should Dye without Issue lawfully begotten then I give and Devise ye Same unto my Son William and to his heirs forever.  Item I give, devise and bequeath unto my son William Eppes four Thousand Nine Hundred and fifty acres of Land Situate lying and being in the County of Henrico aforesaid being part of ye said Tract of Land commonly called the Winterpock Tract including the Land called the lower Quarter whereon my Negro man Casar [Caesar] now lives the Land I purchased of Thomas Tanner. Half of the Winterpock old pattent the half of the Land purchased of Henry Cox, the Moiety of the Land bought of Richard Kennon and the Moiety of the Land I lately took up to him and his heirs forever and in case my said Son William Should dye [die] without Issue lawfully begotten then my Will and Desire is that the Several parcels of land before devised shall go to my son Richard and his heirs forever. Item I give Devise and bequeath a[ll?--page torn] the remaining part of my Tract of Land lying in Goochland County near ye Mountains to my Said Sons Ric[hard--page torn] E[ppes--page torn] and William Eppes and to their heirs for ever. Item I give Devise and bequeath unto my D[aughter Anne Ep--page torn]pes Twelve hundred acres of Land being the Moiety of a Tract of Land Situate lying and being [in the County of?--page torn] Goochland commonly called and known by the Name of Swans Creek beginning at the lower [page torn] including the Quarter where Thomas Rose now lives to her and heirs forever and in Case she Should die without Issue Issue lawfully begotten then I give and devise ye Same to my Daughter Martha and to her heirs forever. Item I give Devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Martha Eppes Twelve hundred Acres of Land being the other Moiety of the Tract of Land above mentioned called by the name of Swans Creek plantation being at the upper part thereof and including ye house there lately Built to her and her heirs forever and in case She should die without Issue Lawfully begotten then I give and Devise the Same unto my Daughter Anne Eppes and to her heirs forever. Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Son Frans. Frans Eppes one larg floward [flowered]  Silver TankardSilver Tankard, one Sett of Silver Casters Silver Casters also one Dozen of Silver Spoons, one Silver Teapot also one Small Silver Salver Silver Salver and one large Silver Soop [soup] Spoon. Item I give and bequeath unto my Said son Frans. Frans Eppes my Silver hilted Sword washed with Goold my [Secratore-secretary?] standing in ye parlor with glass dores [doors], made of black walnut one black horse known by ye name of Franks horse together with my pistols and holsters Holsters ye Sadle called my Trooping Sadle and bridle, also one bay horse named Crumwell one Gray horse known by the name of my horse Squirrel also one New Sadle with the pistols and Furniture thereunto belonging, Two fether [feather] Beds with Curtains, vallings and other Furniture thereunto belonging according to the Ellection of the said Francis. Item I give my Said Son Francis my Two Negro Fellows now being at the plantation near the Mountains named Tush and pompy with all and Singular the hogs, Cattle, goods and Chattels to the said plantation belonging. Item I give to my Said Son Frances these Negroes Following now living at my plantation at Longfield to wit Tractable, old Betty Abraham and Dol, my Boy named Jack, my Boy named Mialin, my Negroes living at my Skin Quarter plantation viz Tom, york, Cooper, Rachel Kate and Pheby my negro men named Langston and Tinto with all my Stock of Cattle and hogs and other the goods and Chattles Chattles[chattels] I now have at my Said Skin Quarter plantation to him forever. Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Anne Eppes, Abbe, youn Betty at Longfield nancy, Fanny and providence to her and her heirs forever. Item I give to my Said Daughter Anne Eppes one Dozen of Silver Spoons, one Silver porenger Silver porenger called her porenger, two Feather Beds and Furniture one Set of Silver Casters one baybay horse called Fly with Side Saddle and Furniture to her and her heirs forever. Item I give & devise unto my Daughter Martha Eppes the Several Negroes following, my negro woman Jenny, my negro Girl Agge, my Negro Girl namd Judy, my Negro Girl Sarah, and my negro girl Dinah, one Dozen Silver Spoons, one Silver porrenger two Fether Beds and furniture, one bay Spayed Mair [mare] or horse which she likes best with Side Saddle and furniture to her and her heirs forever. Item I give to my Son Richard Eppes the Several Negroes following vizt. my negro boy named Alford, my negro Boy named Jemmy the Son of Judy my negro Boy named primus, my negro boy named Ned, two Beds and furniture and a Horse bridle and Saddle to him and his Heirs forever. Item I give and devise to my Son William Eppes the Several Negroes following. Vizt my negro woman named Lucy, my negro boy named peter my negro boy named Sam and my negro boy named Bowser, two Fether [feather] Beds and Furniture and a horse Bridle and Saddle to him and his heirs forever. Item I give and devise to my Wife Sarah Eppes the Several Negroes Following: vizt. Herculas, hannah, hanible, Cesar, Dick, Judy, Tom, and Pegg to her and her heirs forever, Item I give unto my Daughters Anne Eppes and Martha Eppes the Several negroes following vizt. Argulas, Will and Parthena and my will and desire is that the Increase Increase (if any) from ye Said Parthena may be equally divided between them when they or either of them Shall come of Age or Mary.  Item. I give and devise to my Said Daughters all the stock of Cattle and Hoggs, with the other goods and Chattles [chattels] I now have on my plantation at Swans Creek to be Equally Divided between them when either of ye above mentioned Contingencys [contingencies] shall happen. Item. my will and Desire is that the Several Negroes following be continued at the Several Quarters whereon they now reside or other the Winterpock Lands if removed and that the profits ensuing by their Labour be first applied to the Maintenance of my Several Children and ye surplus if any to be laid[?] up by my Exers. [executors] and to be Dystributed [distributed] among my two Daughters when they shall respectfully arrive to the age of one and twenty years or marry and further my will is that the Negroes afore directed and appointed to be employed on my Winterpock plantation whose names are here Incerted [inserted]: vizt. Caesar, Moll, Scipio, Nero, Pompy, Titus, Sampson, Jammy, Syrus, Town and Anakee and her increas after my son Richard shall attain the age of one and Twenty years Shall be equally divided between him and my Son William, and that as many of the Several Stocks of Cattle & Hogs, Horses and Sheep both at home and the Said plantations at Winterpock be applied to the Maintenance of my four children vizt. Anne Eppes, Martha Eppes, Richard Eppes and William Eppes, as my Said Executors Shall think Necessary, and if  the Stock either of Hogs Sheep horses or Cattle Should be thought by m[page torn] Executors to be too great at any of the Said plantations then my Will and Desire is that so many as my said E[xecutors? page torn]ve is more than Necessary for ye Maintenance of my said Children and ye Use of thee Said plantations sh[page torn] [E]xecutors by publick outcry and that the money arising by such Sale shall be equally [page torn] my [page torn] when they respectively attain the age of one and twenty years.
Item. I give devise and bequeath unto my Wife Sarah Eppes my Chais [chaise]Chais and horses thereto belonging known by the names of the Stallion, Dimond, Good and Spark. Item. I give and bequeath unto my said Wife the remainder of the Term of Servitude I have yet to come of my man Servant Frank. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Francis Eppes all the Stocks of Horses, hogs, Sheep and Cattle I have at my plantation called long Field. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Eppes one silver Can Silver can known by the name of the new Can, and one Dozen Silver Spoons. Item.  I give and Devise to my Son William Eppes one other Silver Can known by the name of the Old Can and one Dozen of Silver Spoons. Item I will and Devise the Tuition and Guardianship of my two sons Richard Eppes and William Eppes and of my Daughters Anne Eppes and Martha Eppes until they shall respectively attain the Age of one and Twenty years or  marry which shall first happen unto my wife Sarah Eppes and my son Frances Eppes. Item. I give unto my Son Francis Eppes one fine Damask [[hyperlink definition: twilled linen fabric with woven designs] Table Cloth, one Dozen of fine Napkins, one Dozen of Rushia [Russia] lether [leather] Chairs and one large Chest of Draws [drawers]. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Son Richard Eppes one Walnut Scriedore Walnut Scriedore now standing in the Hall, one Dozen Rushia Leather Chairs and one fine Damask Table Cloath [cloth]. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Anne Eppes one Rushia leather Trunk, marked with A.E. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daugher Martha Eppes one Trunk marked S.E. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son William Eppes on Chest of Draws [drawers] and one Dozen of Cain [cane] Chairs. Item my will and Desire is that there be no appraisement made of my Estate. Lastly I do hereby nominate and constitute and appoint my Wife Sarah Eppes and my Son Francis Eppes Executors of this my last Will. In Witness whereof I have hereunto this my last Will and Testament contained in two Sheets of paper set my hand and Seal this Seventh Day of November in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Three.

Frans Eppes  (red wax)
Signed, Sealed and published in the presence of us
[Lucresha?] Childres
John Wilkinson [I-his mark]
John Castle[+ his mark]
Stephen Dewey

Henrico County December Court 1734.
Sarah Eppes and Francs Eppes Execr. to this Will presented the Same upon Oath which being also provided by the oaths of Steven Dewey, John Castle and Lucresia Childers three of the Witnesses thereto was admitted to record.
Test Bowler Cocke