Will of Scarlett Hancock

In the name of God, amen.  I, Scarlett Hancock, of Prince William County, being sick and weak, but of sound and perfect sense and memory, so by these presents make, appoint and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

I give  and bequeath to my loving wife Anne Hancock the plantation on which we formerly  lived commonly called or known by the name of Old Field with the land adjoining thereto together with four Negroes, viz, Cloe, Bess, Kate and Bristoll, and a third part of my stock and household goods during her natural life and afterwards to my son John and his heirs and the Negroes to be equally divided between my son and daughter, John and Anne Hancock, and their heirs.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my loving daughter, Anne Hancock, the plantation in the fork of the creek where William Davis now lives with all the land belonging thereto to her and her heirs forever.  Item.  I give and bequeath to my said daughter, Anne Hancock, four Negroes, viz., Titus, Sharp, Sarah and Giles, and a third part of all my stock and household goods.

Item.  I leave and bequeath to my loving son, John Hancock, whereon I now live in the neck on Murumsco Creek and all the land thereto belonging as also four hundred acres of land left me by Richard Brett as will appear by the said Brett’s will, to him and his heirs forever.  Item.  I leave and bequeath to my said son, John Hancock, four Negroes, viz., Nero, Galba, Pall and Jacob, and a third part of all my stock and household goods.

Item.  It is my will and desire that Negro Dick be sold for the most that can be got for him.  Lastly I ordain and appoint my loving wife Anne Hancock, John Gregg, Marmaduke Lawson and Moses Linton, executors of this my last Will and Testament.

Scarlett Hancock

Signed, sealed, published and declared to be my last Will and Testament in presence of

John Gregg, Ambrose Hewlet, Simon Gosling, Mary Watson

At a Court held for Prince William County, March 23rd, 1740.  This will was presented in court by Anne Hancock, John Gregg and Marmaduke Lawson, three of the executors therein named (Moses Linton, the other executor refusing the burden thereof) who made oath thereto and the same being proved by the oaths of Ambrose Hewlet, Simon Gosling and Mary Watson, three of the witnesses was admitted to record and on the motion of the said executors and their performing what is usual in such cases certificate was granted them for obtaining probate thereof in due form.  Catesby Cocke