Last Will and Testament of John Rice
Northumberland County, Virginia
Record Book 6, Part 1, pp 129-131
26 April, 1762
Proved 11 October, 1762
In the name of God Amen. I John Rice of the County of Northumberland being sick and weak of body but of perfect sense and memory. I thank God for the same do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form as followeth. First I give and bequeath my soul to God my maker to dispose of at his blessed will and pleasure and my body to be decently buried; and for my worldly goods which it hath pleased God to bestow on me I dispose of as followeth:
Item – I do lend to my loving wife Mary Rice the use of all my land, stock, and household furniture during her widowhood or single life and no longer.
Item – to my son Isaac Rice all the land whereon I now live with all the appurtenances there unto belonging to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever.
Item – I give to my son William Rice a parcel of land lying in the fork of Coan Mill Swamp known by the name of the Beaver Dam Neck beginning at the side of a branch which leads out of the main swamp of Coan Mill; beginning at a small marked white oak from thence to a marked red oak from thence to another marked red oak from thence to a marked mulberry tree thence to a small dogwood tree from thence to a marked persimmon tree being a corner tree thence running from the said branch to 4 main swamp.
I give the said lands to my son William to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever and for want of such heir that then I give the said land to my son John Rice and to his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever.
Item – I give to my son John Rice all the remainder part of that tract of land to him my said son John and to his heirs lawfully begotten of body forever and for want of such heir that then I give the said land to my son William Rice and to his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever.
Item – I give to my three sons Isaac, William, and John all my Carpenter Cooper and shoemakers tools to be equally divided amongst them.
Item – I give to my son John my long and small board gun.
Item – I give to my son William Rice my short small board gun.
Item – I give up Red Side Saddle, after my wife’s decease to my two daughters Anne and Betty.
I give to my two daughters Winney and Sarah Ann the other side saddle.
Item - I give to my two sons and John after their mother’s deceased my new cart and wheel and harness…also my set of Iron wedges and Iron pestle.
Item – I give to my son William Rice the young gray mane called Licard after my deceased Bridle and Saddle
Item – I give to my son John Rice the young horse called prince. Bridle and Saddle after my deceased.
Item – I give to my daughter Betty my best feather bed and furniture.
Item – I give to my daughter Sarah Ann the bed call’d my bed and furniture.
Item – I give to my daughter Ann Rice the bed call’d her bed and furniture and the best box with lock and key.
Item – I give to my daughter Winney Rice the next best bed and furniture and the best chest.
Item – I give to my two sons William and John my other bed and furniture and if either of my daughters dies without lawful heir, then my two sons William and John to have their bed. I desire my children now living with me or living with their mother at her decease may have the whole project of the last crop they make together.
Item – I give my chest to my two sons William and John.
Item – I give my broad plank to be made up in such things as my wife and two youngest sons desire.
Item – I give my brass skillet to my daughter Betty
Item – I give all the spinning wheels and cards to my four youngest daughters Anne, Winney, Sarah Ann, and Betty after their mother’s decease.
Item – I give all my hogs to be equally divided among my four youngest daughters and two youngest same? After their mothers.
Item – I give my best box iron and heater to my two daughters Anne and Betty.
Item – I give my great coat to my son John and after and all my other wearing clothes to be divided between William and John, also my razors and lone? I leave to my two sons William and John.
Item – I give other box iron and heaters to my daughters Winney and Sarah Ann.
It is my desire that after my lawful debts are paid that the family now living together may have the whole benefit of the crop now made: and that all the remainder part of my estate not yet …mentioned to be equally divided among all my children: Hannah Christopher, Mary Hill, Isaac Rice, Anne Rice, William Rice, Winney Rice, John Rice, Sarah Ann Rice, Betty Rice.
I desire my estate may not be appraised – nor sold at public. I do appoint my two sons Isaac Rice and William rice and Joseph Power to be the whole and sole Executors of this my last will and testament revoking and denying all other will or wills heretofore made by me or any other.
In witness whereof I shave hereunto set my hand and seal this 26 April, 1762,
George [his mark] RiceJohn [his mark] Rice [seal]
Charles [his mark] Rice
Joseph Power
At a court held for Northumberland County the 11th day of October, 1762 this last will and testament of John Rice deceased was this day presented in court by Isaac Rice and William Rice two of the Executors therein named (and liberty reserved for the other Executor to qualify) who made oath thereto according to law and the same being proved by the Oaths of two of the witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said Executors a certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Test, Thomas Jones, Clerk.
Notes about document:
Transcribed as is with a few formatting changes to make it easier to read.
2005 John J. Jenkins