The Will of Joseph Anthony
The Will of Joseph Anthony b1713
The Will and the inventory and the
administration of his estate are recorded in the clerk's office of Henry
County, Virginia in Will Book No. 1, beginning on Page 120. By his
will, Joseph makes ample provision for his widow, and then proceeds to
devise and bequeath his large landed estate, his numerous negro slaves,
and his personal property, among his fourteen surviving children, his
son Charles Anthony having died unmarried and without issue. These
children were: Sarah 1742-1842, who married Thomas Cooper (1733-1799);
Christopher (1744-1815); Elizabeth; Penelope; Joseph Jr. (b. 1750);
James; Mary; Charles (who died as above stated); Micajah; Agnes; Rachel;
Wineford; Mark; Boling; and Judith. Joseph's date of death is November
23, 1785.
From Henry County, VA. Will Book #1 beginning on page
120:
I Joseph Anthony being in my perfect Senses and Calling to
mind the Mortality of My Body do make and Constitute this my last will
and testament.
First to my loving Wife Elizabeth Anthony during
her widowhood, I lend Nine 9 Negroes namely, Cooper, Charcole, Matt,
David, Ben, Inde, Sam, old Jeane, and young Jeane with the Plantation I
now live on, also my Stock, Household Goods & furniture. If after my
Decease my wife should marry again my Desire and will is that, my
Executors whom I shall appoint Shall take possession of the above
mentioned Negroes, Said Stock household goods and furniture and Dispose
of the same together with the increase and income Dischrestonaly (sic
discretionally) for the use of my wife and Children for and During her
natural Life.
Item, I give and bequeath to those of my Children,
that I shall now mention. NB Sarah Cooper, Christopher Anthony,
Elizabeth Candler, Penelope Johnson, Joseph Anthony, James Anthony, Mary
Carter and Agnes Blaky only one Shilling, Sterling each out of my
Estate, I having gaven Each of them as much of my Estate at the time of
their marrying as I thought proper.
Item, I give and bequeath to
my Son Micajah Anthony, to him and his Heirs forever, that part of the
Land Purchased of James Young that lies on the South side of the Lawyers
Rode alowing the the Lawyers Rode to be the line, between him and my
son Joseph Anthony and Two negroes Namely Milly and her youngest Child.
Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Rachel Anthony to her and
her Heirs for Ever Two negroes namely Henry & Lucy,
Item, I
give & bequeath to my Daughter Wineford Anthony to her and her Heirs
for ever, two Negroes, Namely Charles & Sarah.
Item, I give
and bequeath to my Son Mark Anthony to him and his Heirs for ever half
of the land whereon I now live, after his Mothers Decease together with
two Negroes, namely Matt & Tom.
Item, I give and bequeath to
my son Boling Anthony to him and his Heirs for ever one half of the
Land Whereon I now live, after his Mothers Decease, being Equally
Divided, Between my Two Sons Mark & Boling Anthony also two Negroes
Namely, James & the Eldest Child of A negroe woman name, Milly Which
I formily lent to James Johnson, Which I now give to my Son Micajah
Anthony.
Item, I give to my Daughter Judith Anthony to her and
her Heirs for Ever, Three Negroes, namely Nan and her Son David also the
Second Child, Which the S. Milly had which I lent the S. James Johnson,
I also give unto those my last mentioned Children, each of them one
Horse & Saddle, Two Cows and Calves, one feather, bed and furniture
or as much money as will purchase them as they marry or Come of Age and
further this is my will that if any of my Children Decease, Without Heir
Lawfully Begotten of their Body, that their part of my Estate
Bequeathed, be Equally Divided Amongst my then Surviving Children or
their Heirs and at the Decease of my wife my Estate to be Equally
Divided amongst all my Children or their Heirs, Except my Daughter,
Elizabeth Candler, I only give unto her at the Decease of
my Wife
five Pounds Sterling, only and further is my Will that the Negroe Name
Harry, Which I lent to Penelope Johnson if She Refuse to Keep as a
Slave, that the S. Negroe be returned to my Estate and be Equally
Divided amoungst the rest of my Children and further is my will that if
any of my Children should Refuse to Keep the Negroes which I will to
them, that they be Returned to my Estate & Equally Divided Amoungst
the Rest of my Children.
I Appoint my Wife Elizabeth Anthony and
my Three Sons Joseph Anthony, James Anthony & Micajah Anthony and
Thomas Cooper, Executors to the within Will and making all former Wills
Void. I Declare this to be my Last Will and Testament. In witness
whereof, I have hereunto Set my Hand & Seal this 24th day of
September, one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty five. Test Joseph
Anthony (seal) John Stokes Ambrose Jones William Jones John Jones
At
a Court held for Henry County on the 22nd day of December 1785 the
within last Will and Testament of Joseph Anthony deceased was proved by
the witnesses thereto whereupon it was ordered to be recorded by the
Court.
Henry County, January ye 25, 1786
We John Stokes,
Jacob Ferris, Ambrose Jones & William Whitssells In Obedience to an
Order of Court have aprais.d the Estate of Joseph Anthony Deceased and
so Return the following Inventory VIZ. - - -
One Bond of one
hundred & Twenty Pounds due Oct. 1st 85 120.00.00
One Bond
of one Hundred & thirty pounds due Oct. 1st 86 130.00.00
One
Bond of one Hundred & Ten Pounds due Dec. 25th 87 110.00.00
One
Bond of one Hundred Pounds Due Dec. 25th 68 100.00.00
Assmt. in the
County Court for last General Court Suit 42.00.00
1 Bond of 24
Pounds 18 Shillings due Dec. 25th 1770 24.18.00
1 Bond of four
pounds Seven Shillings due Oct. 1st 1785 4. 7.00
1 Bond of
Three Pounds due Oct. 1st 1785 3.00.00
1 Bond of one Pound fifteen
shillings due 1st 1785 1.15.00
One certificate of one
Pound Thirteen and four Pence 1.13. 4
An Accompt of Eight
Pounds Twelve Shillings and 1 3/4 pence 8.12. 1 3/4
One Negro fellow
Praisd to Ninety five Pounds 95.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to
Eighty Pounds 80.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to Sixty
Pounds 60.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to Seventy five
Pounds 75.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to forty five Pounds
45.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to Twenty Pounds
20.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to Ten Pounds 10.00.00
One
Ditto Praisd to Fifty Pounds 50.00.00
Two Ditto
Praisd to twenty Pounds each 40.00.00
One Negro Wench
and Child Praisd to Eighty Pounds 80.00.00
One Negro Wench and
Three Children Praisd to 120.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to Sixty
Pounds 60.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to fifty Pounds
50.00.00
One Ditto and Child Praisd to Eighty Pounds
80.00.00
One Negro fellow Praisd to Eighty Pounds
80.00.00
One Still Praisd to fifteen Pounds
15.00.00
Ten Head of Sheep Praisd to 3 Pounds 3.00.00
One
Mare Praisd to Fifteen Pounds 15.00.00
Two Colts
Praisd to five Pounds each 10.00.00
Two Horses Praisd to
Six Pounds each 12.00.00
Eight Goose Praisd to Sixteen
shillings 00.16.00
Nine 9 Axes Praisd to one pound
Sixteen Shillings 1.16.00
Two Iron Wedges Praisd to Six
Shillings 00.06.00
Four Plow Hoes Praisd to Ten
Shillings 00.10.00
a Parcell of Hoes Praisd to Three
Pounds 03.00.00
One Bed, bedstead and furniture Praisd
to Eight 08.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to Ten Pounds
10.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to four Pounds
04.00.00
One Ditto Praisd to Ten Pounds 10.00.00
Two
Ditto Praisd to Ten Pounds Each 20.00.00
One Chest
Praisd to one Pound 1.00.00
Nine Chairs Praisd to
Two Pounds 16/6 2.16.06
One Table Praisd to three
Shillings & Six Pence 00.03.06
A parcell of pewter
Praisd to two Pounds 10 shillings 02.10.00
A parcell of
Crockley Ware Praisd to one Pound 01.00.00
Two Silver Spoons
& Sugar Box thirteen shillings 00.13.00
A parcell of
lumber Praisd to one Pound 01.00.00
A parcell of
knives and forks Praisd to 10 shillings 00.10.00
A parcell
of kitchen furniture Praisd to 3 pounds 15 s. 03.15.00
Three
wheels Praisd to one Pound Ten Shillings 01.10.00
One Loom
worpping Bars and Set of Spoons Praisd to 01.05.00
A parcell
of Tools Praisd to Two Pounds 02.00.00
2 Pair of Dog
Irons 1 pair of flatt irons 1 pair of tongs & Pan handle 01.13.00
Two
Bibles Praisd to Eight Shillings 00.08.00
A parcell
of Lumber and Loom Gares Praisd to 01.10.00
One Whipsaw and
Looking Glass Praisd to 01.01.00
One Waggon and Gares
Praisd to Eighteen Pounds 18.00.00
One pair of Chards
Praisd to Two shillings & 6 pence 00.02.06
Two Guns
Praisd to five shillings Each 00.10.00
A parcell of
Lumber Praisd to two shillings 00.02.00
One Saddle Praisd
to Two Pounds 02.00.00
22 Head of Cattle Praisd to
thirty Pounds 30.00.00
17 Head of hogs Praisd to five
Pounds two Shillings 05.02.00
Three slaughter Hides Praisd
to 1 Pound five Shillings 01.05.00
2 Sides of Leather 28#
of Iron and a piece of Steel 01.12.08
Three Candlesticks 1
pair of Snuffers Praisd to 00.04.04
7000# Tobacco Praised
to 58.06.08
Three Side Saddles Praised to
08.05.00
Too Mens Saddles Praised to
02.15.00
One Slate & Branding Iron
00.02.06
John Stocks
Jacob Farriss
Ambrose Jones
At
a Court held for Henry County VA on the 26th Day of January 1785
The
Within Inventory was returned & ordered to be recorded.
(At
some later time, The digits 1786 were added parenthetically below 1785)