William L. Reid's Will 1858 Norfolk
(Transcribed by Colleen Haynes)
In the name of God Amen, I William Reid of the County
of Norfolk, Va?, State of Virginia, do make this writing aa ? my last
will and testament hereby revoking all others by me heretofore made.
I desire to be buried in a plane and descent manner, and at such place
as my friends think ? . The estate with which it has pleased a kind
providence? to favour me, I dispose of as follows: I give to my wife,
Sarah Reed all of my interests in all the property I may be in possession
of at my death, which she had at our marriage, which is now two houses
and lots on Church St. in the city of Norfolk, Va, one Negro woman named
Lydias, one man Ned, one boy ? also a bond against Thom. J. Neasdy?
for two hundred ? she ? to the interests during her life. Also two shares
of the (?) Farmer? Bank? of which ? during her life, also at my .
my grandson John F.Reed my gun. I give to my grandson William N. Reed
my watch and Book.
I give to Samuel Long of Perqs. County, NC who married my granddaughter
Margaret Ann Reed, negro boy Billey and Negro girl Hester to him and
his heirs forever. I direct my executors hereafter named to sell my
farm in Gates County ? subject to a reservation (?), herein after mentioned
and out of the proceeds arising therefrom, to invest the sum of one
thousand dollars in the purchase of a house and lot for the use and
benefit of Mary L. Reed, widow of my son Thomas N. Reed, died during
her life to be limited in such place as she may desire; and at her death,
to the heirs of Thomas N Reed decd. I direct the following negroes ?
Fannie and infant son, name not known, man Henry, boy Noah (Acah?) and
girl Mariah to be hired out, and the hires applied equally to the support
of Mary L. Reed, widow of my son, Thomas N Reed, decd and her children.
Mary Newby Reed, John Ferrell Reed, William Thomas Reed and the child
with which she may be pregrant if any until the oldest shall obtain
to the age of twenty one years or marry at which time the portion coming
to him or her will of said negroes shall be and the residue? hired out,
and the hire applied for the remaining , untill the second shall remain
unto the age of twenty one years, when a division of the remaining Negroes
shall be made between said children and the said Mary L. Reed, the portion
of the said Mary L. Reed to be held by her during her life on widowhood,
but in case of her marriage, her interest in the said Negroes both hires
and otherwise shall from that time cease and after ? . In case of the
death of any one of the children of my ? son Thos. N. Reed after a division
has been made to the first of age, that none other division be made
? one who had ? his part shall have ? prop? out of the portion of his
part set apart to ? ? ? go to the common ? and in case of the death
of ? the survivors may each have one equal part.
? give to my son William L. Reed the following Negroes, ? son of Cate,
Amada, ? Joe, Henry, Mary ? ? Catherine ( daughter of Cate) ? ?
his heirs forever. If my Negro man which I purchased of Eason Estate
and his wife Cate should desire to go to Africa, one should make election
to do so one year from my death. I then authorize and direct my executors
to permit them to do so and to take with them their son Elisha Airy?
- but in case of their failure or refusal to go, either in that time
the said Elisha airy? shall become the property of Wm L. Reed, and the
said Miles and Cate shall be subjects to the control of the said William
L. Reed. In the sale of my farm as directed I wish 4 four acres therefore
to be reserved in the NC Corner ? for my Negro man Miles and his wife
Cate, in case they do not go to Africa during their lives, in case of
a deficiency in my estate arising from the sale of my farm and other
sources to pay my debts and legacies I hereby direct that such deficiencies
shall be a charge upon the legacies herein given to my son Wm L. Reed
and Samuel Long two thirds of which said deficiencies shall be paid
by the former and one third by the latter, and in case of a surplus
of my estate after the payment of my debts and legacies, I give such
surplus to ? Wm L. Reed and Samuel Long to be divided between them in
the same proportion as their liability. Should my death happen before
the expiration of the year I direct that my estate be kept together
by my executors and the profits arising therefrom, go into their hands
during the year for the payment of my debts. I hereby nominate and appoint
my son Wm L. Reed of Gates County, NC and Samuel Long of Pequimins Count,
N executors of this my last will. In witness whereof I do hereunto set
my hand and seal, this 6th day of March 1858.
Will Reed
State of North Carolina Court of Pleas and Quarter Session?
Gates County May Tenn 1859
A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament
of Wm L.Reed, died ? in open Court, and it appearing to the Court by
the oaths of these disinterested witnesses, that the paper writing of
the said William Reed,said ? ? ? ? his valuable ? ? to take effect as
his last will