1815 Will of John Jones of Richmond County, Virginia 17 Enslaved Named

Will of John Jones written 26 Dec 1815 in Richmond County, Virginia.

Entered into Court for probate on 1 Jan 1816.
Richmond County, VA Wills and Inventories Bol 9 1794-1822

...the land I now live on ... to son George Jones, 1 feather bed and furniture, 1 negro woman Doll one small boy Ned
... son Willis Jones should have the plantation adjoining Richard Streets and James Pullens land, one negro boy George and his brother James
... son Epoc Jones three children namely Prisellar, John W and Betey should have two negros named Lucy and her child Jere...
... my daughter Betsy Headley should have two negro girls Hannah and Sara
... the heirs of my daughter Nancy Headley should have two small negro girls Leannock? and Moriah ...
... my daughter Milly Dameron should have one negro girl Marjory and a boy Peter...
... my wish and desire is that Soloman, Edmund and Nelson the three grown negro men should be hired out yearly and the money rising from the hires to be equally divided amongst my children...
... that the negro woman Jane should go to my son George Jones and for him to keep her till death.
... the balance of the little negroes that is not mentioned above I wish to be equally divided among my children namely George Jones, Willis Jones, Betty Headley and Milly Dameron excepting one small girl Marg? I give to my son Willis Jones.
... movable estate ... sold and money equally divided between George Jones, Willis Jones, Betsy Headley, Milly Dameron and the heirs of Epoc Jones Precella, John W and Betsy Jones.

Executors: George Jones, Willis Jones, Griffen Headley

1833 / 1835 Will of Mary Wray naming her Enslaved, Rockingham County, North Carolina

 Will of Mary Wray of Rockingham County, North Carolina

Written 10 June 1833
Proved Nov Term 1835

... to William Nelson my oldest Negro Boy by the name of Donnell ... all my stock of Horses, Cattle, Sheep and Hogs with the exception of 1 cow which I shall hereafter bequeath and said William Nelson is to pay over to Ann Nelson $100 together with all my outstanding debts of every kind. ... also 1 bedstead, bed and furniture and all my plantation tools of every kind.
... to Ann Nelson ... 1 Negro Boy named Tom...
... [books to Permelia E Wray daughter of Alexander Wray]

Executor: friend Nathan Wright
Witnesses: Bailey Martin, Mathers/Mattus L Newel

1835 Will of Abner Watson naming Enslaved, Prince Edward County, Virginia and Rockingham County, North Carolina

Abner Watson was born 7 June 1762 and died 10 May 1835 both in Prince Edward County, VA.  He was the son of John Watson 1712-1797 and Ann Allen 1726-1805.  In 1788 Abner married Mary "Polly" Price, daughter of Richard Price and Mary DeJarnette.

1810 Census Prince Edward Co VA Abner Watson
20 Slaves

1820 Census Prince Edward Co VA Abner Watson
24 Slaves:  4 M under 14, 2 M 14-25, 2 M 26-44, 1 M 45+, 7 F under 14, 3 F 14-25, 3 F 26-44, 2 F 45+

1830 Census Prince Edward Co VA Abner Watson
32 Slaves:  4 M under 10, 4 M 10-23, 2 M 24-35, 2 M 36-54,  10 F under 10, 1 F 10-23, 6 F 24-35, 2 F 36-54, 1 F 55-99

 
Will of Abner Watson - recorded in Prince Edward County, VA and Rockingham County, NC
Written 6 May 1835
Entered Prince Edward Court 20 July 1835 Will BK 7 pg 402
Certified transcript by County Clerk Branch J Worsham made 13 Oct 1835 was entered into             Rockingham County, NC Court in Nov Term 1835 pg 140

...  My will and desire is that my land in Prince Edward, on which I now live, be sold, altogether or in part as lots...
... I lend to my wife Mary the land in North Carolina called John Patrick's lot containing 200 acres more or less and also 5 negroes: Isham, Peter, Edmund, John and Betty... during her natural life and at her death to descend to my children...
... to son Benjamin B  4 negroes Phebe and her 2 children and William
... to son Joseph 2 negroes Archer and Sally the daughter of Delinda
... to son Frederick W 2 negroes Ben the son of Betty and Jane the daughter of Delinda...
... to daughter Susan Elizabeth 2 negroes Ann and Eliza...
... I give for the benefit of my son Abner G  2 negroes Henry and Harriett to be held in Trust...
... It is my will and desire that the balance of my negroes not loaned or given away in this my will, should continue on this place or on my plantation in North Carolina as may best suit until the sale of my land.
... it is my will and desire that my daughter Mary should be continued the privilege of living on the tract of land called Perkinson's in North Carolina and to cultivate a sufficient number of shifts for her comfort and accommodation until the division, free of rent.

Executors: sons Benjamin B and Joseph D Watson
Witnesses: Drury Watson, J W Ritchie, Joseph A Watson, George R Jeffress 

1823 Will of John Allen Watson Naming Enslaved, Prince Edward County, Virginia

 John Allen Watson was born 2 Sep 1789 in Prince Edward County, Virginia and died 17 Nov 1822.  He was the son of Josiah Watson 1759-1827 and Mary "Polly" Nelson 1762-1837 and the grandson of John Watson 1712-1797 and Ann Allen 1726-1805. [See his father and grandfather's wills]

John married Nancy Hamlett who was born about 1797. She was the daughter of Jesse Hamlett 1766-1817 and Elizabeth Clarke.  Nancy married 2nd Samuel F Blankenship 1801-1851.

Will of John Allen Watson of Prince Edward County, VA
Written 15 Mar 1821
Probate 19 May 1823

... to wife Nancy... 6 negroes Jince, Hannah, Lee, Elvery, Real, and Bob with future increase

Executor: wife Nancy Watson
Witnesses:John Booker, Josiah Watson

John Watson and his Children's 132 Enslaved, Prince Edward County, VA - Several Wills Naming Slaves

John Watson was born about 1712 in Henrico County, VA and died 3 Feb 1797 In Prince Edward County, VA.  He was the son of John Watson 1679-1750 and Sarah Collins 1683-1743.  He married Ann Allen 1726-1805.

John and Ann lived near Hampden-Sidney College in Prince Edward County, Virginia. 

Will of John Watson   Written 3 Feb 1797   Probate 17 June 1805

• to son John one acre of land +/- joining the land he lives on... one negro by name Dick, one negro girl named Aggie and her increase, which he has in his possession, and likewise one negro man Nick
• to son Drury a negro woman named Aggie and her increase, which he has had in his possession for years past and late has placed the said Aggie into the possession of his daughter Susannah
• to Elizabeth Watson, my son Drury's daughter my negro boy named John and one featherbed and furniture
• to Hannah Watson, my son Drury's daughter, negro Phil, Fannie's son
• to Mary Chambers, my son Drury's daughter, 200 acres of land being the land whereon she lives, for her use during life and after her death the said 200 acres of land to her son, Josiah Chambers; one negro woman named Jane and her increase which was lent to Josiah Chambers and by him willed to his children, as they are mentioned in his will
• to daughter Susanna one negro named Peyton which she has in her possession and one negro girl
• to son Samuel one negro woman and her increase and one boy
• to daughter Judity one negro boy and one woman and her increase and one woman named Fanny and her increase and one negro girl and her increase and one other boy
• to son Jesse Watson one negro woman named Lucy and her increase from this date, and likewise John, Tom, Nancy and her increase, likewise Lewis and Lydia and her increase, one boy named Nott which he has in his possession
• to son Josiah two negroes Peter and Hannah and her increase which he has in his possession, and one negro man named Isham
• to son Abner two negroes and likewise Old Dick and likewise Pepesley and her increase and her daughter and her increase; likewise the plantation he now lives on 300 acres, and a cart and yoke of oxen which he now has.
• lends to daughter Judith Nelson one negro girl named Cate, during her (Judith's) life and at her death to be divided with increase among her children.
• my old negro woman Aggie to have liberty to live with which of his children she pleases, but if she should live to get so infirm as not to be able to maintain herself, to be maintained at the equal expense of my children.
• All the residue of his personal estate not here devised to be equally subdivided between his children.
• Estate is not to be appraised, nor executors to be held to give security.

Executors:  sons John, Joseph and Jesse Watson - sole executors of this will
Witnesses: Drury Watson, Jr, Allen Chambers, Charles Allen.
Upon the oaths of Drury Watson, Jr and Charles Allen, Jesse and Joseph Watson qualified as executors
Prince Edward County Will Book 3 pg 403

Some of John's children:

Elizabeth Watson was born 1731 in Prince Edward County, Virginia and died 1808 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. She married John Walker who was born 1728 in New Castle County, Delaware and died 1796 in Rutherford County, North Carolina.

1790 Census  Rutherford County, NC  -  John Walker
3 Slaves

Drury Watson was born 1740 in Prince Edward County, Virginia and died 1829 in Belair, Indian Land, Lancaster County, South Carolina.  He married Sarah "Sally" Allen who was born 1745 and died 1790.

Drury was known to be a great fiddler and dancer. He lived to be nearly 100 years old. Late in life he lived with his son in law Drury Calhoun near Briary Church in Prince Edward County, VA.
[Notes on Southside Virginia by Mrs A Watson Wolfe, 1977, pgs 187-188]

20 Mar 1805  -  Sold Enslaved  -  Lancaster District, SC  Deed Bk F pg 241
"Know ye that I Drury Watson of the State of Virginia Cumberland County hath bargained and sold unto James Morrow of the state and district above mentioned a certain Negro woman named Agg and a boy named London and a child named Ambus, children of said wench for the consideration of 500 dollars cash paid to me in hand to which I do forever quit claim to the said negro wench and children forever...to James Morrow..."
Witnessed 27th day of August 1804.
Witnesses: Eli Crockett, Jonathan Coffey. Signed Drury Watson.

1810 Census Prince Edward Co, VA
11 Slaves

1820 Census Prince Edward Co Va
18 Slaves:  6 M under 14, 2 M 14-25, 2 M 26-44, 3 F under 14, 2 F 14-25, 2 F 26-44. 1 F 45+

1830 Census Prince Edward Co VA
19 Slaves:  3 M under 10, 3 M 10-23, 4 M 24-35, 2 M 55-99, 1 F under 10, 2 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35, 2 F 36-54.

John Watson was born 1743 and died 1828 both in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He married Mary.

Will of John Watson   Prince Edward County, VA
Written 15 Apr 1817;  Proven 19 May 1828
Inventory submitted to Court 18 Aug 1828

... lend to wife Mary 8 negroes: Nick, Robb, Robin, Vick, Nancy, Molly, Mariah and Louisa... at her death equally dived amongst all my children. Nick is to have choice which of my children he will go to as his master or mistress.
... to dau Betty Ann 3 negroes: Young Fanny, Stephen and Abby and said young Fanny and Abby increase
... to son Drury 3 negroes: Molly daughter of Lucy;  Stephen and Lewis Molly's children with increase
... to son Samuel 2 negroes: Jane and John Jackson and Jane's increase; land and plantation whereon I now live lying on Little Buffalo...
... to dau Nancy 5 negroes: Aggy, Billy, Peter, Solomon and Betty with increase
... to dau Mary 3 negroes: Hannah, Hetty and Tom with increase
... to dau Susanah Thorn 5 negroes: Jane, Harry, Fanny, Arups? and Randol with Jane and Fanny's increase
... the land lying on little Roanoak Road which I purchased of Ambrose Nelson I will to be sold...
Executors: sons Drury Watson and Samuel Watson
Witnesses: Abner Watson, John Watson, William Watson

Josiah Watson was born 1759 and died 1827 both in Prince Edward County, Virginia. On 22 Feb 1785 in Cumberland County, Virginia, he married Mary "Polly" Nelson 1762-1837.

Will of Josiah Watson, Prince Edward County, VA
Written 11 Jan 1827
Proved 19 May 1828
Prince Edward County Will Book 7 pg 478

...lend to my beloved wife Polly Watson during her natural life all the land I possess, all plantation utensils including blacksmith tools, all stock of every kind except 3 horses, all corn and bacon I have on hand all drops growing at the time of my death and all my household and kitchen furniture except 4 beds and furniture.  19 Negroes: Peter, Hannah, edy, Judy, Martha, Milly, Parthenia, Sam, Jim, Amy, Jacob, Jack, Morgan, Allen, Phil, Isham, Frank, Mat, Lizzy and Olly.  
...to March Edward Andrew H Nelson Watson: Little Peter, Aggy, Caty, Cyrus, Squire all their future increase...
...to daughter Polly N Thackston: Smith, Jerry, Cassandra, Jinny, Nancy, Daughter Cassandra and William,
... to my granddaughter Mary Ann Rebeckah Watson: Meriah, Lucy and Berry,
... to my 3 granddaughters Louisa N Watson, Mary E Watson, and Emelia Ann Watson: Annaky, Phebe, Nick, Selina, Nathan, Rozetter, Louisa and Dick and all their future increase to be equally divided between the three.
... to granddaughter America Jane Green/Greer: Nancy, Silvy, Jack and Ben son of Silvy
...to my granddaughter Eliza Frances Geers: Milly daughter of Nancy
... I give to MEAHN Watcon and Polly N Thackston all the land I possess and all property of every kind after the death of my wife Polly Watson ... except Martha which I give to my granddaughter Mary Ann Rebeckah Watson.  
... I give to MEAHN Watson and Polly  N Thackston all the negroes John Geers run off to North and South Carolina :  Little Indy, Nick, Isabella, Esther, Nancy daughter of Isabella, Dick and Mary and their increase forever.
... Now all the negroes not named in this will I order and direct that my executors ... make a sale of the following slaves:  Robin, Susanah, Tiller, Julia, Nelly, Harriott, Isaac for the payment of my just debts...
... I appoint Guardians of my grand children: son in law  James Thackston and son M E A H N Watson

Executors: wife Polly Watson, son in law James Thackston, son Mattew Edward Andrew Herculys? Nelson Watson
Witnesses: John Watson, Daniel J McCormick, Samuel Watson

Joseph Watson may have been born in 1764 and did die in 1827.  He married Fanny Wade.

Will of Joseph Watson    Prince Edward County, VA
Written 1827
Probate 1828
Prince Edward County Will Book 6 pg 426

... to wife Fanny and Sims Allen land I live on...
... to James Allen, brother of Sims, land on south side of road leading from Briery meeting house to Moore's old ordinary
... to Allen Watson 2 negroes
... to Littleberry Watson, son of Samuel, 1 negro
... to Joseph Watson, son of Jesse, the land and plantation on Buffalo I bought of DeGraffenreid and a part of the tract I bought of Charles Price's trustees
...to Joseph Watson, son of Abner, 4 negroes
... to Drury Calhoun, son of Hannah, the daughter of brother Drury, I give legacy...Susan Wade, sister of my wife Fanny Wade

Executors:  Drury Watson, Samuel Watson (son of John), and Sims Allen

Enslaved Inventory of Francis Watkins in 1828 Prince Edward County, VA and Will of his brother Thomas Watkins of Henrico, VA

Francis Watkins was born 15 July 1745 in Henrico County, Virginia and died at his Poplar Hill Plantation in Price Edward County, Virginia. He was the son of Thomas (Chickahominy) Watkins 1714-1783 and Frances Ann "Fanny" Anderson 1718-1788.

On 1 Jan 1765 he married Agnes Woodson. She was born 4 Oct 1748 and died in July 1820 at Poplar Hill Plantation in Prince Edward County, Virginia.  She was the daughter of Richard Woodson c 1695-c1774 and Annmaddlin Michaux.

Estate Inventory of Francis Watkins Sr, decd
28 Oct 1828  Prince Edward Co VA Will Bk 7 pg515

Enslaved named in this inventory:
Old Peggy
Old Jenny
Rose
Cate
Young Jenny
Charles
Harod
Will,
Oliver
Guy
Gulbert
John
Anthony
Doctor
Pleasants
Adam
Abram
Milly
Tempy
Rhoda
Fanny
Sam
Lucky
Anny/Amy
Rachel
Peggy
Nelson
Chloe
Polly,
Aggy
Brister

Photos of Poplar Hill Plantation

Note:  Because it was nearby in the will book and Thomas Watkins, Jr is Francis Watkins brother, I'm including his will here.

Will of Thomas Watkins, Jr of Henrico County, Virginia.
Written 7 Apr 1778 - Presented to Court July 1778 - Recorded 4 June 1787
Henrico County Will Book pg 342

... to my 3 sons Robert, Thomas and Claiborne all my land in Hanover County ... and for my son Robert to have the plantation and the houses for his part)
... to son George all my land in Charlotte County and my 3 negroes named Sam, Joe and Hannah
... to son Anderson the lower part of my land on which I now live running a straight line from the upper end of Beach Island to a corner tree on Ann Garthrights line near the Deep Bottom which includes the plantation called Optons? and also my 3 negroes named Bettie, Billy, and Buster...
... I lend... wife Sarah Watkins upper part of my land on which I now live with the mill and house, also I lend unto her 3 negroes named Isham,  David and Matthew
... to my wife my 2 negroes named Lyd and Ciss with their increase
... to son Isaac the part of my land I lent to my wife... 4 of my negroes named Daniel, Phebe, Janey, and young Charles
... to my son Robert 5 of my negroes named old Charles, old Amy, young Amy, Agg and Rachel
... to son Thomas 4 of my negroes named Dick, Sary, Fanny, and Matt
... to my son Claiborne 3 of my negroes named Jack, Moll, Patty
... to daughter Mary Hughes Watkins 3 of my negroes named Henny?, Jude, Luce

Executors: father Thomas Watkins, brother Francis, and friends Smith Blakey, Stephen Pankey
Witnesses:  Wm Gathright, Thos Bottoms, Susanah Farmer, Reuben Sneed
Codicil on 12 Apr 1778:
... to my son Clayborne my negro boy named Young Rick? 

Will of Smith Daniel 1836 Sumter County, South Carolina - Slaves to Liberia

 

Will of Smith C Daniel - written 21 June 1836 - Sumter County, South Carolina

... After the payment of my just debts... my estate be equally divided between my dear wife and child or children, if it should be God's will that I should have another.

ITEM 2  If my child or children as the case may be should die before they reach the age of majority or have a family, I with their proportion of my negroes be sent to Liberia with a suitable and fit out of my estate. Provided that if my dear wife should out live my child or children, in that event I want their proportion of my negroes to be at her sole disposal and for her proper use.

ITEM 3  ... reserves 2,000 acres of land lying on ? in Arkansas Territory on Red ? Creek of Red river [I think he's bequeathing it to his brother William C Daniel]

Executor: friend Thomas Freeland

Withnesses: John Savage, Eliza Skinner, Olivia Skinner

1782 Will of Samuel Hairston, Enslaver, Campbell County Virginia

Samuel Hairston was born before 1722 in Ireland or Scotland and died about April 1782 in Campbell County, Virginia.  He was the son of Peter Hairston "The Immigrant" (born about 1695) and Agnes.  No record of any marriage or children has been found.

Will of Samuel Hairston - written 9 Feb 1782, Campbell County, VA

In the name of God. Amen.  I Samuel Hairston Gent, of the County of Campbell, being of sound mind, Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament, I lend to my well beloved Brother Andrew Hairston my whole Estate, real and Personal during his natural life and at his death I direct that my ?       House where I now live together with one Thousand and sixty acres of land appertaining thereto may be sold by my Executors hereafter mentioned [blurred] who is hereby Empowered to convey the same to the Purchaser or Purchasers in fee simple. And six Hundred pounds of the money arising from such sale to be equally divided between my brother Robert Hairston's three sons, viz: George, Peter and Samuel Hairston and the remainder of the money arising from such sale to be divided between my brother Andrew Hairston's three daughters, viz: Priscilla, Margaret and Susanna Hairston.

Item: after the death of my brother Andrew Hairston I give and bequeath to Samuel Philips, my negroe fellow named Jack to him his heirs and assign forever.

Item: my tract of land at Kentucky containing two thousand acres I give and bequeath as follows, viz: Two Hundred acres to Samuel Amos (Amyx], Two Hundred to his wife Eleanor Amos [Amyx] and the remainder fourteen Hundred acres to be divided among my said Brother Andrew Hairston's three daughters Priscilla, Margaret and Susanna.   I also give to the said Priscilla, Margaret and Susanna another tract of land at Kentucky containing three Hundred and eighteen acres to them their heirs and assign forever.    Item: I give and bequeath to my Brother Andrew Hairston's Daughter Priscilla my negroe boy Davie to her and her heirs and assign forever.

Item: after all my just debts and funeral charges are paid I leave all the rest of Personal Estate of every kind together with my Negroe Back to my said Brothers three daughters Priscilla, Margaret and Susanna Hairston to them and their heirs and assigns forever. The negroe Back to remain in the possession of their Mother during her natural life and it is to be understood that the Legacies bequeathed the said Priscilla, Margaret and Susanna shall be divided in such manner that allow Margaret and Susanna shall have each as much money or land more than Priscilla as will be equal in value to the Negroe Boy Davie.

Lastly I constitute and appoint my Trusty friend Robert Alexander Executor of this my last will and testament, Ratifying and confirming this and no other. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of February 1782.
    Samuel Hairston   
    Signed .sealed and acknowledged before us: John Wiley, Thomas Nunnally   
Codicil to the above Will:
    When the money due me from the Estate of Cury Smith and David Rick is recovered I direct my
    Executor to pay the same to Jenny Forbes wife of Alexander Forbes. Witness my hand, date as
   above.                                                                          
  Samuel Hairston
    Test:   John Wiley. Thomas Nunnally

Enslaved of Christopher Watkins, Slaveholder, Anson County, North Carolina

Christopher Watkins was born Jan 1732 in Henrico, VA and died 6 Nov 1822 in Anson County, NC.  He was the son of Thomas Edward "of Swift Creek" Watkins 1678-1760 and Elizabeth Pride 1686-1740. Christopher married Mary Jane Thomas 1737-1817

18 Apr 1771 issued land grant in Anson Co, NC for 300 acres: South Wt. of Pee Dee River at a post oak.
Land Book #20 pg 649

1780  Anson Co, NC - Christopher Watkins on petition, Apr 1780, to General Assembly from inhabitants of Anson County asking that new commissioners be appointed to "fix" the place to build public buildings.

1800 Census  Fayetteville, Anson Co, NC
4 Slaves

1810 Census  Anson Co, NC
7 Slaves

1820 Census Culpeper, Anson Co,. NC
Living alone with:
13 Slaves:
1 M 14-25
1 M 45+
8 F under 14
2 F 14-25
1 F 45+

Will of Dr Christopher Watkins, Probated in Anson Co, NC
NC Wills and Probate Records. Wiils, Vol C-D, 1848-1905 *have not yet seen more than reference in the index.