Last Will and Testament
Thomas Drewry (1746 - 1772)
Norfolk County, Va.

In the name of God amen. I Thomas Drewry of the parish of Saint Brides in the County of Norfolk being of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following:

First, I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth whence it was taken to be decently buried at the direction of my executors hereafter mentioned and my temporal estate I dispose of as follows:

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Mathias Drewry only reserving my wife her thirds the land and plantation that I bought of Juith Sparrow lying in Princess Ann County being by estimation one hundred and sixty three and ¾ acres which said land with the appurtenances thereunto belonging after the decease of my wife I give unto my son Mathias Drewry and his heirs forever. I give unto my son Mathias Drewry my negroes Rhurall & Unie & Rose and Jno. and their increase to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son John Drewry only reserving my wife her thirds the plantation whereon I now live with all the lands that I hold adjoining my said plantation being by estimation one hundred and eighty six acres more or less which said land with the appurtenances thereunto belonging after the decease of my wife I give to my son John Drewry and his heirs forever but in case my son John should die without heir my will and desire is that all the land with the appurtenances thereunto belonging that I have given to him my son John shall fall and descend unto my daughter Elizabeth Drewry and her heirs forever. I also give unto my son John Drewry my negroes Essex and Jugg and increase to him and his heirs forever. I also give unto my son John after the decease of my wife my negro Grace and increase to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Drewry my negroes Toby and Zach also Pegg and Moll and increase be delivered to her when she arrives to eighteen years of age or at her day of marriage which said five negroes I give to my daughter Elizabeth and her heirs forever. I likewise give unto my daughter Elizabeth fifty pounds in money to be delivered to her in like manner to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I leave the use of my negroes Bash, Bristow, Harry, Moll, Pembo and Phillis to my loving wife Elizabeth Drewry during her natural life and at the decease of my wife if any of my children before mentioned should have lost a negro or negroes that I have given them as a legacy before they come of age to receive them their in such a case my will and desire is that such negroes shall be made good to them out of the negroes left to my wife during her life as herein ???? may be and for all the rest of my estate not before given away I leave to my wife during her natural life for supporting and schooling my young children and at the decease of my wife I leave the negroes and all the rest of my estate left to my wife during her life that shall be then remaining to be equally divided between all my children namely Mathias, John and Elizabeth Drewry to them and their heirs forever and for the true performance of everything contained in this my last will and testament do ordain nominate and appoint my loving wife Elizabeth Drewry and my son Matthias Drewry wholly and jointly executrix and executor.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this twenty seventh day of December one thousand seven hundred and seventy.

Thomas Drewry