Will of William Lax

"...tho weak in body yet of a sound and perfect memory and understanding........who I trust will not reject me a returning penitent sinner...." I will & positively order that all my debts be paid & c. To my only son John Lax his heirs & assigns forever 100 ac of land lying & being on the waters of Difficult Creek. To my son William Lax his heirs, etc. 100 ac of land being part of the same tract. To my son Benjamin Lax 200 ac of land being part of the same tract. To my two only sons Timothy Lax & Joel & to each of their heirs & assigns 130 ac of land whereon I now dwell to be equally divided between them & if either should die without heir the one living shall take full possession. Also, to son Timothy Lax 2 cows. To my only friend John Lewis one horse & cow. To my only daughter Elizabeth Lewis one pound current money do. To my only daughter Susannah Childress one pound do. To my only two daughters & son, Obedience Lax, Tabitha Lax & Joel Lax all that remains at my death & my only wifes death, then to be divided equally between them. WD 21 July 1778. Signed William (X) Lax

Witnessed: Wm. Keeling, John (x) Piles, Timothy Chandler, Peter Crews O.R. Benj. Lax one other Exr. refused & on motion of said John Lax certificate granted him for probate.

Sec: William Chandler & Benjamin Lax

The area is described as follows: "The vegetation of Virginia is much different from what was found in pre-settlement times. While Virginia's landscape had been mostly forested, there were once open areas where trees were few or sometimes absent. These sites were too wet or too dry or too steep and rocky to support good forest growth. Sometimes tree growth was suppressed by natural fires or fires set by Native Americans. The Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve in Halifax County is one of those areas that was once grassy and prairie-like with scattered pines and hardwoods. Fire probably played a role in maintaining the open condition. The significance of this 818-acre preserve was first noted by botanists who discovered several rare plants growing along a roadside and beneath a wide powerline clearing near Difficult Creek. Those open areas places had become became a refuge for the sun-loving grasses and forbs which had been displaced by the loblolly pine stands planted here in more recent times. The rare plants, which are unusual for the Piedmont, are also a reflection of the basic, clay rich soils present in the area. The Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve will be managed with prescribed fire to re-establish the open grassy conditions of its pre-settlement past. " http://www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/difficult.htm