Loudoun County Virginia Wills 1793-1797

pp. 161-162

Be it remembered that I, Stephen Gregg, of the County of Loudoun and State of Virginia, being weak in body but of sound disposing mind and memory, and calling to mind the uncertainty of time in this transitory world, do this second day of the eleventh month, called November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, make and publish this my Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following:  Vizt., First I direct that all my just debts be fully satisfied and paid by my executors hereafter named.

Secondly, I give to my wife, Susanna Gregg, the whole privilege and benefit of my dwelling house and spring house on the plantation where my son, Thomas, now lives and the use of a stable for her horse.  Also, what fruit she may think sufficient for her family’s summer and winter use from the said plantation, and a sufficiency of firewood found her ready cut and hauled to her door by my son, Thomas, likewise the privilege and use of a convenient piece of ground sufficient for a garden for the use of her family.  My son, Thomas, shall also furnish her with pasture and hay for the keeping of one horse, two cows and six sheep; he shall likewise pay his mother thirty pounds at the end of each year after my decease during her widowhood.  I likewise give all my wearing apparel to my wife to be disposed of in such manner as she may think proper; I also give her my young sorrel mare, her saddle and bridle, and two cows and six sheep to her, her choice, and all my household furniture which belonged to her before our marriage, but in case my widow should hereafter marry, that from thenceforward she shall relinquish all right or claim to any part of privilege from the above mentioned plantation.

Thirdly, I give and devise to my son, Thomas, all my plantation whereon he now lives, to him and his heirs and assigns forever; subject to the above encumbrances for his mother’s use.  He shall also pay to my son, Nathan, the sum of two hundred pounds in the following manner, to wit, in three years after my decease, the sum of fifty pounds and fifty pounds at the end of each year afterwards until the whole is paid.  I also give my son, Thomas, my black trolling mare.

Fourthly, I give and devise to my son, Samuel, all my plantation where I now live, with the mills and all other improvements thereunto belonging, to him, his heirs and assigns forever, but he shall pay at the end of six months after my decease to my son, Nathan, the sum of fifty pounds, at the end of twelve months after that time he shall pay to my daughter, Susannah, the sum of fifty pounds, and in one year after fifty pounds to Nathan, and at the expiration of the next year fifty pounds more to Susannah and fifty pounds per year at the end of the two succeeding years to Nathan.

Fifthly, I give and devise to my son, Nathan, a tract of land lying between the Short Hill and Blue Ridge containing one hundred acres to him, his heirs and assigns forever, and a young sorrel horse, as likewise the before mentioned legacies to be paid him by his two brothers.

Sixthly, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Susannah, one good feather bed and furniture, and also the before mentioned legacy of one hundred pounds to be paid her by her brother, Samuel.  And all the remainder of my personal estate of any kind whatsoever I give to my son, Nathan, and my daughter, Susannah, to be equally divided between them.

And lastly, I nominate and appoint my two sons, Thomas and Samuel, as executors to this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made and this only to be taken for my Last Will and Testament.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above said Stephen Gregg to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of Israel Janney, Jesse Janney, William Brown.

Stephen Gregg

At a court held for Loudoun County, February the 8th, 1796

This Last Will and Testament of Stephen Gregg, deceased, was proved by the affirmation of Jesse Janney and William Brown, and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Thomas Gregg and Samuel Gregg, who made affirmation, and with James McIlhaney and Isaac Nichols, their securities, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of one thousand five hundred pounds, conditioned according to law.  Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste Charles Binns, Court Clerk