Will of Edmund Berkeley

In the name of God, Amen.  I, Edmund Berkeley, of the County of Middlesex, being languishing in body but of sound mind do make this my last Will and Testament.  I give and bequeath unto my dear son Edmund Berkeley my tract of land in Middlesex County and to the male heirs of his body, lawfully begotten, but in failure of such issue, unto my son Lewis and to the male heirs of his body, lawfully begotten, but in failure of such issue to my daughters Lucy, Mary and Sarah.

Item I give unto my son Edmund two thousand acres of land lying in King William County which I bought of Mr. Phillip Whitehead.

Item I give unto my son Edmond nineteen hundred and thirty-six acres of land in the aforesaid county bought of Captain Scarsbrook and joining to the two thousand before named.

Item I give and bequeath unto my dear son Lewis Berkeley six hundred ninety eight acres in King William County bought of Whitehead Ryan and joining to the land aforesaid.

Item I give unto my son Lewis one tract of land lying in King and Queen County bought of Robert Peyton.

Item I give unto my son Lewis one tract of land lying in Gloucester County bought of Barnard.

Item I give unto my three daughters all my money I now have in Great Britain, Virginia or elsewhere and also what money shall be raised by my negroes and stocks before my son Edmund shall arrive at the age of twenty one years.

Item I give unto my daughter Lucy one negro woman called Moll and her son.

Item I give unto my daughter Mary one negro girl about four years old.

Item I give unto my daughter Sarah one negro girl about four years old, which girl I leave to be chosen by my Sister Armistead out of my negroes.

Item I give unto my sons Edmund and Lewis the rest of my negroes which are to be divided when my son Edmund shall arrive at the age of twenty one, my son Edmund having two parts, the other part for my son Lewis.

Item I give unto my sons Edmund and Lewis all my stock and cattle, as the negroes are given.

Item I give unto my sons Edmund and Lewis all my household furniture to be divided as aforesaid.

Item I give all my plate to my son Edmund.

Item I give unto my Sister Martha Armistead my Chariot and Horses belonging to it.

My desire is that the house I am now building may be only secured with a good roof to be finished by my son.

My three daughters I leave to the care and management of my Sister Armistead and my two sons I would have kept at school until they arrive at the age of twenty one years.

Item it is my desire and I do appoint my well beloved friends the Honorable William Bassett, Esquire, and Major Nathaniel Burwell and Henry Armistead, executors of this my will in witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 14th day of December 1718.

Edmund Berkeley

Witnessed:  Francis Mylne, Richard Edwards, Robert Shelldrake

Admitted to record Middlesex Court March 3, 1719