Young Stoke’s Will {in margin}

In the name of God Amen. I Young Stokes of Lunenburg County being in perfect sence and memory do make, constitute and ordain this my last will and testament, and desire it may be received by all as such in manner and form following

Viz. Imprimus I give and bequeath to my son Henry Stokes my land and plantation whereon I now live (after the decease of my wife Elizabeth Stokes) also one other tract of land lying on the head branches of Tusikiah Creek containing four hundred eighty acres and also forty pounds cash to be paid out of my estate by my executors or administrators, all to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Cecelia Stokes one negro girl named Dinia.

Item. My will and desire is that the land and plantation that purchased of my son Silvanus Stokes containing two hundred and ninety two acres, be the same more or less) may be sold by my executors hereafter named to the highest bidder to raise money to discharge my just debts, and if any over paying my debts overplus to be equally divided with the rest of my personal estate.

Item. My will and desire is that my loving wife, Elizabeth Stokes, shall have the use and occupation of the land and plantation whereon I now live lying between Little Creek and Nutbush Creek) during her natural life or widowhood, also the following Negroes

Viz. Sharper, Jack, Nick, Sara, Bellow, Old Dinah, Tim, Peter, Lemander, Molley and Paton and all my personal estate herein and before given and bequeathed and after the decease of my said wife the said eleven negroes, above named with all their increase to be equally divided amongst my nine children hereafter named, to wit, Silvanus Stokes, Allen Stokes, William Stokes, Henry Stokes, Susanah Christopher, Mary Ann Neal, Lucy Anderson, Cicelia Stokes To my daughter Elizabeth Blagrave I lend an equal part of my estate with the rest of my children during her natural life and at her decease to be equally divided amongst her children then living.

Item. And my will and desire is that if Henry Blagrave the husband of my daughter Elizabeth Blagrave, should refuse or not be able to give bond or sufficient security for the legal conveyance of that part of my estate that I lend to my said daughter, Elizbeth Blagrave to be equally divided amongst her children then living that then my executors hereafter named shall be at their own election to divide that part of my estate amongst Elizabeth Blagraves children that shall then be living as they see cause.

Item. and lastly I do nominate and appoint my two sons, William Stokes and Henry Stokes, whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament revoking all other wills hereto made before. In witness hereunto I have set my hand and affixed my seal this 23rd day of August One Thousand seven hundred and sixty nine.
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Young X Stokes
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Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Young Stokes to be his last will in the presence of us Lydall Bacon John Davis

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At a Court held for LunenburghCounty, the 13th day of December, 1770

The within written last will and testament of Young Stokes, deceased, was exhibited in court by William Stokes and Henry Stokes, the executors herein named, and was proved by the oath of one of the witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be certified, and on the motion of the said executors (who first made oath according to law) certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form (They giving security) whereupon they, together with Lydall Bacon and Robert Beasley, their securities entered into and acknowledged bond according to law. And at a Court held for the said County, the 11th day of February following the said will was further proved by the other witness thereto and ordered by the other witness thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded.

Teste Wm. Taylor CLC