In the name of God, Amen. I, James Drewry, of the County of Southampton and State of Virginia, being of sound mind and heart but conscious of the uncertainty of my natural existence do make and publish this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following hereby revoking all former wills made by me.
Item 1st I loan to my beloved wife, Martha J. Drewry, during her natural life or widowhood, the following property to wit: All of my lands and estate lying on the North side of the road whereon I reside, including my mansion house with all the other buildings and appurtenances on the North side of said road not hereafter disposed of; all my household and kitchen furniture. I also loan her, during her natural life or widowhood the following property (viz): Three mules and horses of her own choice from my stock on hand. My carriage and harness. One yoke of Oxen broke to work. One Ox Yoke, ten head of cattle, twelve sheep, five sows with pigs, one ox and horse cart and wheels each, three sets plow harness, and plows of different kinds, axes, hoes, iron dedges, grind stone for conducting a (three) (horse) farm. Such selections shall be out of my stock on hand at the time of my death. She to select the same, also two thousand pounds pork, fifty barrels corn, fifty five hundred pounds fodder, cotton gin, (Need to verify to original.) (Sereal) and (hog) (boils). I hereby restrict my wife bidding for any article sold at my sale under the penalty of forfeiting the whole loan made to her, in this will. Which loan I do hereby revoke if she violates said restriction, but should she desire to purchase my property belonging to my estate which will be sold it is my desire that she shall have it appraised and she will take it at the appraised value, and account for the same to my estate.
Item 2nd It is my will and desire that each of my children shall be literally educated.
Item 3rd Having given to my son, J.D.H. Drewry, the tract of land on which he resides and the property whereon it is my will and desire that his children shall not receive any more of my estate.
Item 4th I give to my son, Emmett A. Drewry, one third of the tract of land which I purchased of B.W. Goodwyn, he to have choice of lots provided he will pay to my son S.B. Drewry and my daughter Mary L. Sebrell six hundred dollars. This amount to be divided equally between them, said son and daughter, independent of what I may hereafter give them. In the event he refuses to pay the said amount then I desire the land to be divided and each party draw for the same.
Item 5th I give to my son, V.T. Drewry, one half of my Meherrin tract of land he to have choice of lots, provided he will pay to my son J.W. Drewry the sum of eight hundred dollars which amount shall be payed within two years after my death. I also give to him an equal interest in any money and amounts due my estate after paying the specific legacies given to my other children in this will.
Item 6th I give to my son, S.B. Drewry, one third of the tract of land purchased of B.W. Goodwyn west of the new chopped line near Drewryville. I also give him an equal share in all money and amounts due my estate after paying the specific legacies given to my other children in this will.
Item 7th I give to my grandson, Willie, son of my daughter Mary L. Sebrell, one third of the tract of land purchased of B.W. Goodwyn provided he marries or attains the age of twenty one years. In case he does not marry or arrive at the age of twenty one years I desire that part of the tract to be divided equally between my other children. I also give him an equal interest in all money and amounts due my estate after paying the specific legacies given to my other children in this will.
Item 8th I give to my son, J.W. Drewry, one half of my Meherrin tract of land. I also give him an equal interest in all money and amounts due my estate after paying the specific legacies given to my other children in this will.
Item 9th I desire my griss mill and fixtures and all the sand and lakes property attached to (#### Need to verify to original ####) (Susse) to be sold and half the amount for (Sassco) to be given to my son S.B. Drewry and the balance to be given to my four youngest children equally. In event of either or any of their dieing then to those surviving of the four.
Item 10th I give to my daughter, M.F. Drewry, all of the land next of the swamp and next of the line from the old schoolhouse up to W.H. Drewry's line at the middle of the land of the old tract, also a second tract of land bought of H.M. Everett's estate bounded as follows. East by the lands of F.T. Ridley and Benja Turner, North by the Goodwyn tract and West by the lands of W.H. Drewry also an equal share of all money and amounts due my estate after paying the specific legacies given my children in this will.
Item 11th I give to my daughter, E.M. Drewry, all of my land east of the road from the (#### Need to verify to original.####) (minst) of the lane (east of my dwelling house) south to the Swamp to the land formerly owned by E.B. Claud, also an equal share in all money and amounts due my estate after paying the specific legacies given to my other children in this will. One legacy of which I give to my daughter E.M. Drewry five hundred dollars.
Item 12th I give to my daughter, A.F. Drewry, all the rest of the land of my home tract not already given away. I also give her an equal share in all money and amounts due my estate after paying the specific legacies given to my children in this will. One of which I give to her for one thousand dollars.
Item 13th I give to my son, Jos. E. Drewry, all the real estate and all other property loaned to my wife during her life or widowhood and she to give to him his board and clothing. I also give him an equal share in all money and amounts due my estate, after paying the specific legacies given away in this will. One of which I give to him of one thousand dollars. It is my intention that my daughter E.M. Drewry shall have five hundred dollars, my daughter A.F. Drewry one thousand dollars, and my son Jos. E. Drewry to share one thousand dollars before any division of my monies and amounts are due to my estate and divided after they are paid then an equal division of the balance between my children except my son J.D.H. Drewry's heirs and my son E.A. Drewry are not to come in for any share of (hard) any portion of my estate except that which have been given to them before in this will.
Item 14th In the event of the death of any of my children before arriving at the age lawfulness or marrying then it is my will the surviving children of my last wife shall have their property equally divided between them with the exception of my son V.T. Drewry (upturn) I have already given him his portion of my estate.
Item 15th I nominate and appoint my sons V.T. Drewry and S.B. Drewry my executors (under) this my last will & testament and hereby request the court to (#### Need to verify to original. ####) (mturn) this will be proven that they will not require security from them. I also appoint them guardians of my children under age.
Given under my hand and seal this the 19th day of December 1877