Last Will and Testament
William Drewry (1727 - ca. 1780)
Southampton County, Va.

In the Name of God Amen, I William Drewry of the County of Southampton being in a very imperfect state of health at this time, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:

Item I give and bequeath my Soul to the Almighty God who gave it to me, in a sure and certain hope of a Resurrection unto Eternal Life, and my Body to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned. I give the use to my beloved wife Rachel Drewry as follows, one gray mare known by the name of Lightfoot and a side saddle and bridle, likewise two cows and calves, four head of sheep, one bed and furniture and bed stead, one chest, two small pots, one frying pan, three pewter dishes, two basons, six plates, six spoons, six chairs, one woolen wheel, one pair cards, one table to be given her during her life and after her death, these said to be equally divided between my seven children hereafter mentioned.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son William Drewry my still that is now on my plantation whereon I now dwell, to him and his heirs forever. My will and desire is that my Plantation whereon I now reside shall be appraised and my son William to have land and the money arising therefrom after the expiration of two years of the said appraisement the said William Drewry is to pay unto these children namely, Mary Morgan, Richard Drewry, James Drewry, Rachel Drewry, Nicholas Drewry, and my granddaughter Sarah Drewry, to be given to them and their heirs forever. The said William Drewry keeping the land in paying the aforesaid children there proportional part. Also my Will and desire is that my negro woman Nan be sold and the money arriving therefrom be equally divided between all the above mentioned children. Also my will and desire is that my three sons namely Richard Drewry, James Drewry and Nicholas Drewry be bound out until they arrive to the age of twenty one years, and my desire is that my three sons should be schooled out of their proportional part above mentioned; also my will and desire is that all my crop and all the remainder of my estate not heretofore mentioned be sold at public sale and the money arriving therefrom be equally divided between all my children above mentioned: and I do appoint my son William Drewry and my friend John Blount my whole and sole executors to this my last will and testament disannulling all wills heretofore by me made. Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this third day of October, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty.

William Drewry