Examining Culture through the Lens of a Will

Will of Frances Eppes 5th

Written January 4, 1736
Proved May 1737
HCDW No. 2, pt. 1 & 2, 1725-1737 p. 612

In the Name of God Amen I Frances Eppes of the parishParish of Dale in the County County of Henrico being weak of body but Sound and disposing Mind and Memory do make and ordain this my Lat Will and Testament in manner and form following. Imprimis ImprimisI commit my Soul to God who gaveth and issueth my Body unto the Earth by descent [decent] Burying at the Discretion of my Executrix Executrix herein after Named, assuredly Trusting in the Mercy of Christ Jesus my Redeemer for Eternal Salvation, at the Day of the Resurrection, and as touching my Worldly Estate with what it hath pleased God to bestow upon me I give and dispose of this Same as followeth. Item I give Divise and Bequeath all my Lands in Bermoody [Bermuda] Hundred to my Dear and Loving Mother during her Natural Life, with all houses and orchards thereunto belonging and after her Deceas [decease] to my Loving Brother Richard Eppes and his heirs forever; on Condition my Said Brother Richard his heirs etc. Shall let my Brother William Eppes his heirs &c. peaceably and quietly enjoy all that Tract of Land lying in Henrico County and parish known by the Name of Longfield and now in my possession which was given me by my father, but if My Brother Richard Eppes his heirs &c Shall at any Time Molost [molest] or distress my Brother William Eppes his heirs &c. of their quiet possession of any part of Longfield then I give the Land which belonged to Thomas Jones which my father purchased and joined thereof of his Land in Barmoody [Bermuda] Hundred to my Brother William Eppes and his heirs forever. Item I give Devise and Bequeath to my Loving Brother William Eppes all my Land at Longfield and that which was purchased of Robert Burton also one half of my Land at Skin Quarter to have the plantation now Seated in his part to him and his heirs forever. Item I give Devise and Bequeath to my loving Brother Richard Eppes this other half of my Land at Skin Quarter to be Divided equally in quantity and quality to him and his heirs forever. Item I give Divise [devise] and Bequeath to my Loving Sister Ann Eppes one Negro Boy Tom, one Negro Girl named Hannah, also one hundred and fifty pounds Current Money and one Chest of Drawers to her and her heirs forever. Item I give and Bequeath to my Loving Sister Martha Eppes two Negro Girls named Kate and Betty also one hundred and fifty pounds Current Money and one set of Silver Casters Silver Casters to her and her heirs forever. Item my Will and desire is that the Several Negroes by Continued at the Several plantations where they now reside and that the profits and gaining by their Labor after their Maintenance be towards raising the Money given my Sisters. My Will is that the Negroes Tom, Pheby [?], Kate, Cooper, Rachell, Harry, Pheby and Tush remain at Skin Quarter, Pompy and Abraham at the Mountains, Tractable, York, Betty and Doll at Longfield. Item I give Devise and bequeath the Above named Negroes living at Skin quarter, the Mountain and Longfield and their Incrase [increase] to be equally divided between my Brothers Richard and William Eppes and their heirs forever. Item. I give, Devise and bequeath to my kinsman John Royall my Negro man named Jack to him and his heirs forever. Item I give Devise and Bequeath to my Dear and Loving Mother my Negro man Langston, Tim, Dick, Charles, Scipio and my Negroboy Miorling to her and her heirs forever. Also two feather Beds and furniture which My father gave me. Item I give Devise and Bequeath to my loving Brother Richard Eppes my sword [?], Silver Tankard Silver Tankard, My silver gilted Swoard [sword], my Trooping Sadle and furniture. I tem I give Devise and bequeath to my loving Brother William Eppes my Secutore [secretary?] with Glass Doors also one New Trooping Sadle, and furniture. Item I give Devise and Bequeath Capt. Charles [Adlom?] [if living in?] Virginia my young horse & Colt and two Guineas Guineas to buy [?] Mourning Ring. Item I give, Devise and Bequeath to my Brother Richard and William my land in Goochland County near the Mounts [mountains] to be Divided equally between them, them and their heirs forever. Item my [_] and desire is that my Estate be not Appraised. Item I give Devise and bequeath all that is left of my Estate to my Dear and Loving Mother Sarah Eppes, whom I do hereby Nominate, Con[___] and Appoint my Executrix  of this my last Will and Testament in Witness Whereof I [___] my hand and Seal this twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty six. Signed and Sealed in presence of:

Joseph Royal
Wm. Gay
John Royal
Littlebury Royal

Francs Eppes.
At a Court held for Henrico County the first Monday of May 1737 This Last Will and Testament of Franc. Eppes Deceased was presented by Sarah Eppes the Executrix upon [___] and proved by the Oath of Joseph Royal, William Gay and John Royal three of the Witnessses thereto and thereupon admitted to Record.