Last Will and Testament of Willis Riddick

In the Name of God, Amen, I Willis Riddick of the Parish of the County of Nansemond being sick of body but thanks to Almighty God of sound mind and disposing body, and calling to mind the unvertainty of this life, do make, ordain, constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament, which is in the form and manner following:

Imprimis. I recommend my soul and principals to the hands of Almighty God, that gave it me, and to the earth to be decently buried at the place of interment of my family, hopeing in a joyfull resurrection through the merits of my blessed redeemer. All of my worldly goods, which God has been pleased to give me, I dispose of them in form and manner following.

Item. I give and devise unto my grandson James Riddick part of the land and plantation lieing in the county of Gates and known by the name of____and whereon his father, James Riddick lately resided, divided from the other part of a line hereafter to be made, beginning in a line between my said land and the lands of John_____; thence running a direct corse across the center of said land as near as may be so as to divide the land in two equal parts, which said land....., I give unto my said grandson, his heirs forever; but in case my said grandson should depart this life leaving no lawfull issue, then I give my said land unto my grandson, Edward, and to his heirs forever.

Item. I give and devise unto my grandson______Reddick, the other half of my land called_____above mentioned and divided, to him my said grandson Edward and to his heirs forever; but in case my grandson should depart this life without lawful heirs in such case I give my said land to my grandson,_____Reddick, and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and devise to my son, Willis Riddick, my land and plantation situated on White Marsh whereon I formerly lived, to him my said son and his heirs forever. But in case my grandson, John Riddick,or his heirs should hereafter lay claim to recover from my son Willis the said plantation in consequence of said land to be held in Fetale, then, in such case, half of my Salem lands before devised to my grandson James, and whereon my son James lately______appurtenances, unto my son Willis Riddick and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and devise unto my son Willis Reddick my tract of land lieing and being at the mouth of the Cyprus, to him my said Willis Riddick and to his heirs forever. I also bequeathed to my son Willis Reddick my negroes, Ellick, Mike and Priss, to him my said son and his heirs forever.

Item. I give unto my said son, Willis, the one half of cattle and sheep to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I have reason to judge that the General_________of this state will pay for the burning and destroying my houses by the British, in such case, I give whatever the said sum may be (if any) unto my son Willis Riddick and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth Carr, a negro Phillis and all the increase she may have by my said negro Phillis has been in the care of my daughter, to her my said daughter forever. I also give unto my said daughter Elizabeth Carr all the personal estate I have given to her, to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Priscilla my negroes Vilet and Cloe and Kate, to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Priscilla two calfs to be taken out of my stock and alloted by my executors to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann my negro Bellinder to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Teresa my negro Lucey, to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Christian my negroes Clerender and Phillis, to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my said daughter Christian two cows out of my stock to be alloted her by my executors.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my loveing wife, Mary, negroes Luke, Rose and Sip, to her and her heirs forever. I also give unto my loveing wife the free use of one half of my household and kitchen furniture, also the use of residue of my stock of cattle and sheep not heretofore given during her natural life or widowhood after which time I give my said household and kitchen furniture, stock of cattle and sheep, to my son, Willis Riddick and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath all the residue of my estate of what nature or kind so ever to be equally divided amongst my son Willis and daughters Priscilla, Ann, Terea and Christian, share and share alike to them, and my said son and daughters forever.

Item. Lastly, I do nominate and appoint my son, Willis Riddick and my sons in law, Josiah Riddick and Archibald Richardson, the executors of this my last will and testament to which I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this tenth day of April in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred and eighty one. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testator as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers hereunto.

/s/Willis Riddick (seal)

Henry Riddick
David Campbell
Christian Parker

At a Court held for Nansemond County April 8, 1782, the Last Will and Testament of Colonel Willis Riddick was proved by the oaths of Henry Riddick and David Campbell, two of the witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. Willis Riddick and Archibald Richardson, two of the executors therein named, qualified as such and give bond with security according to Law; the other executor named in said Will refusing to qualify; and is truly recorded.

/s/William Eley, D. C. C.

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