Last Will and Testament
Joseph Drewry (1802 - 1837)
Southampton County, Va.

In the name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Drewry, of the County of Southampton and Sate of Virginia do make and publish this to by my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say:
Item 1st I lend unto my loving wife, Martha J. Drewry, the whole of my estate, both real and personal, during her natural life or widowhood, and it is further my will and desire that my children shall be raised out of the profits of my estate as well as to be schooled out of the same unless my executors may consider the profits arising out of the estate insufficient to raise and school them. Should that be the case it is my desire that my executor shall expend all my money due my estate for that purpose.
Item 2nd It is my will and desire that, if my wife and executor should think proper at any time after my death, to make sale of my negro man Jo that it shall be as they conclude on, and should he be sold it is my desire the money arising from the sale thereof to be loaned to my wife together with the balance of my estate on the condition as above named.
Item 3rd It is my will and desire in case of the death of either of my children before arriving at lawful age or marrying that the survivors or survivor shall heir the deceased's respective part which they would of been entitled to had they been living at the time of the distribution of my estate, it is further my will in the event of all my children dying before arriving to lawful age or marrying. I give to my wife Martha J. Drewry the hole of my estate real and personal except five acres of land off of the corner lying on the creek, at my wife's death I give the five acres of land to my brother Samuel Drewry.
Item 4th It is my will and desire that the inventory of my estate shall be all that is required of my executor. That is I do not require of him to take any refunding bond for any property or moneys loaned my wife but do request that he (my executor) will see my estate properly managed and the intention of my will carried out.
Item 5th I constitute, nominate and appoint my brother Samuel Drewry my whole and sole executor to this my last will and testament revoking all others and declaring this to be my last. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed my seal this twenty third day of January the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty seven.

Joseph Drewry