Loudoun County Virginia Will book D 1783-1793

pp. 91-95

In the name of God, Amen.  I, George Taylor, Senr., of Loudoun County and State of Virginia, Planter, being through age and infirmities weak of body but of sound mind and memory blessed be God for it, do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.  Viz.  first and principally, I commend my soul unto God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian manner, without any pomp, in a firm belief of the resurrection thereof at the last day through the mighty power of God, and do hope for free salvation for the sake of Jesus Christ and by his merits alone.  And as for such worldly estate, as God hath of his great mercy and goodness blessed me with, I do dispose of in the following manner.

First all my just debts and funeral expenses to be punctually paid.  Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son, Stephen Taylor, his heirs and assigns forever, the five following slaves, viz., one Negro man named Dick, one woman named Dorcas, one boy named Ignatius, one girl named Sarah and also one girl, an infant at the breast of her mother Dorcas aforesaid.  The five slaves and their future increase together with one black horse called Sloven and one horse colt got by Eagle.  Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my grandson, William Cotton, (son of my daughter Frances Cotton), one Negro boy named William, now in his actual possession to him, his heirs and assigns forever.  Fourthly I give and bequeath unto my housekeeper Mildred Compton, her heirs and assigns forever, one dark bay mare called Phancy, two cows and calves, two breeding sows and six head of sheep of her own choice out of the stock I die possessed of.  Likewise I give her my three spinning wheels and six grown hogs towards the support of herself and three children.  Also it is my will and desire the said Mildred Compton shall have free use and liberty in and to my house and plantation during the full term of four years from and after my decease, she yielding and paying therefore the annual rent of three pounds ten shillings to the landlord or his agents; provided, nevertheless, that my son Stephen shall have the same right and privileges in and to the said house and plantation for the same term of four years paying half the rents should she choose to continue on it.  Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my natural daughter Cynthia Taylor, alias Compton, her heirs and assigns, one Negro boy named Hezekiah.  I also give and bequeath unto my natural son Jack Taylor, alias Compton, his heirs and assigns, one Negro boy named Enoch.  I also give and bequeath unto my natural son Craven Taylor, alias Compton, his heirs and assigns, one Negro boy named Charles.  Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto the aforesaid Jack Taylor, alias Compton, one mare colt called Jolly.  Now my most express orders are that the said three Negro boys – Hezekiah, Enoch and Charles – shall be delivered into the possession of Mildred Compton, the mother of the said Cynthia, Jack and Craven, and that immediately after my decease as also one feather bed and furniture to be employed and kept by said Mildred Compton toward the support, maintenance and schooling of said children until they arrive at full age, for which she shall give sufficient security to the court of Loudoun County.  Seventh, it is my will and desire that all my household furniture not before bequeathed shall be sold at public sale by the executors hereafter appointed and one half the amount thereof I give and bequeath to the aforesaid Cynthia, Jack and Craven, to be equally divided amongst them immediately after the sale, and the other half I give unto my son, Stephen Taylor.  Eighthly, my will and desire is that the old Negro woman called Nell shall have her freedom immediately after my decease, and the old Negro man Joe and his wife, Esther, I give to my daughter, Elizabeth Squires, and her heirs.  Ninthly, my will and desire is that my mulatto man named Joseph Cross shall be sold together with all the remainder of my estate, whether real or personal (not before bequeathed) and the money arising therefrom to be applied towards paying my debts and the remainder, if any, to be equally divided amongst my five children – George Taylor, Hizziah  Fielder, Elizabeth Squires, Frances Cotton and Stephen Taylor, and I do hereby constitute and appoint my dearly beloved sons, George Taylor and Stephen Taylor, executors of this my last Will and Testament, most solemnly enjoining them to fulfill this my last will in every particular according to the plain literal meaning thereof, recommending them all brotherly love and unity, declaring this only and none other to be my last Will and Testament.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty-third day of February in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight.                   George Taylor

Approved of, signed, sealed and acknowledged by the testator as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us the underwritten subscribers who were called upon as witnesses thereto – Thomas Fouch, Isaac Fouch, Jr., Henry Humphrey

At a Court held for Loudoun County, February 9, 1789

This will was proved by the oaths of Thomas Fouch and Isaac Fouch, Jr., witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and at another Court held for the county aforesaid September the 14^th 1789, on the motion of Stephen Taylor, one of the executors therein named who made oath according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form giving security.  Whereupon he with Robert Power, George Mason and Benjamin Mason, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of fifteen hundred pounds conditioned as the law directs, liberty is reserved for the other executor to qualify when he thinks fit.