IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN: I, John Lanier, in the County of Prince George Co., being verry weak and ailling in Body but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God therefore it is appointed for all men once to dye, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament that it is to say principally and first of all, I give and bequeathe my sould into the hands of god that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Like and Decent manner, to the Discretion of my Executor -- nothing Doubting but at the generall resurrection, I shall receive the same again, by the mighty power of God, and as toucjing with Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless in this Life, I give Devise and Dispose of the same in the following manner and form --
First, I give to my son Robert Lanier, one Shilling
Secondly, I give to my son John Lanier, one Shilling
Thirdly, I give to my son Sampson Lanier twelve Shillings
Fourthly, I give to my Daughter Sarah Brewer one Cow or Heifer of three years old
Fifthly, I give to my grandson John Lanier, the son of Nicholas Lanier, my son, a feather bed and holster and blanketts and ruggs all new and good and a small gunn well fixt, and I give to him two pewter Dishes and Bason and One Chest with lock and key and Six Spoons, One Iron pott and potthooks, and frying pan and a small pair of Stillyards and two Combs and a young Horse of three years old and three sheep.
Lastly, I give to my son Nicholas Lanier, all the land I now live upon, and all my land on the Otterdams to him and his heirs forever, and I give to my son Nicholas all my movables and immovables. I do make my son, Nicholas Lanier, my whole and sole Exor. of my Last Will and Testament . to see that it is perfomed As Witness my hand and seal this the 5th. of Jany, of 1717.
John Lanier, Sealed with red wax
William Peebles his marke X
Henry Peebles
Thomas Burrow his marke X
At a court held in Merchantshope for the County of Prince George on the second Tuesday in April being the fourteenth Day of the said month Anno. Do,. 1719.
The aabove written Last Will and Testament of John Lanier, Deced, was exhibited into Court by Nicholas Lanier his Exectr. who made Oath thereto, and it being Duly proved by William Peebles, Henry Peebles and Thomas Burrow the sevel witnesses thereto is by order of the Court truly recorded and Certificate is granted the said Nicholas Lanier for Obtaining a Probate in Due form.
Teste. Wm. Hamlin, Cl. Cur,
A Copy,
Teste:
W. D. Temple, Clerk
Brunswick Co. Virginia, Will Book 2, Page 52
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN: I Sampson Lanier of the Parish of Saint Andrew in the County of Brunswick calling to mind the mortality of man do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament revoking all former wills by me made and this only to be my last Will and Testament to wit I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Lanier all the tract of land whereon I now live containing one hundred and fifty acres to him and his heirs forever but it is my desire that my wife should have the use of the Plantation whereon I now live with the land on the east side of branch during her natural life makeing no waist on the same I also give unto my said son Thomas Five pounds cash and all my Coopers tools I give unto my son Sampson Lanier one Negroe man named Mingo my wife to have the labour of the said negro during her widowhood I give unto my son Richard Lanier two cows and calves two cows and pigs one feather bed bolster a blankett and rugg and a pair of sheets two pueter dishes three peuter plates one good chest one iron pott also negro woman named Juda my wife having the labour of the said negro woman during her widowhood I give unto my Daughter Eliza Burch one negro girl called Mou the said negro girl and her increase to the use of my said daughter and the heirs of her body forever I give to my son Lemuel Lanier one negro girl called Agge to him and his heirs also one feather bed and bolster a pair of sheets a rugg and a blankett two pueter dishes and three pueter plates two cows and calves one heifer one young mare bridle and saddle and all the hoggs that is called his and a gang of hoggs that yoused with the same one iron pot and frying pann I give my son James Lanier two cows and calves two sows and piggs two pueter dishes two pueter plates one iron pott or kettle one young mare one small saddle and bridle one feather bed bolster a pair of sheets a rugg and a blankett and one negro man called Randol to him and his heirs but Lemuel Lanier to have the labour of the said negro till my son James come to the age of twenty one years I give unto my beloved wife Twenty Pounds cash which she hath in her possession to her and her disposal and also let the use of all the remainder part of my Estate to my beloved wife during her natural life or widowhood and after her death or marriage I give all that part of my estate to my five sons to be equally divided among them to them and their heirs my will and desire that my estate may not be brought to an appraisement I also constitute and appoint my two sons Thomas Lanier and Sampson Lanier Exor's of this my last will and testament IN WITNESS whereof I have hereeunto set my hand and afficed my seal this Eighth day of January, 1742 / 3
Sampson Lanier (Seal)
Signed and delivered in presence of us as his alst will and testament
James Maclin his marke
Peter Adams
Richard Lanier
At a court held for Brunswick County May the 5th, 1743
This will was presented in Court by Thomas Lanier the Exor's therein named who made oath according to law and the same being proved by the oaths of James Maclin and Richard Lanier two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded to be recorded, on the motion of the said Exor's certificate is granted them for ordaining a probate thereof in due form.
TESTE: Ster. Clack, Clerk Court
A COPY,
TESTE:
R. H. Turnbull, D. Clerk
Original in the Court Files in Brunswick Co., Va. (Not recorded)
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN: I, Nicholas Lanier of the parrish of Saint Andrews and County of Brunswick, being of sound perfect mind and memory blessed be God do this Ninth day of June in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred sand sevsenty-six, make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following Vize: First, I lend unto my beloved wife Mary lanier four negores, to-wit: -- Harry, Amey, Tom, and Bett, also all my House hold and kitchen furniture, also all my stock of all kinds during her life. Also I give and bequeath unto my son William Lanier the land whereon I now live, containing five hundred and sixty seven acres, more or less, and all and singular the appertenances thereunto belonging to him and his heirs and asiigns forever, Also I give and bequeath unto my son William Lanier, three negro slaves, namely, Tom, Dick, and Rachel, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Also I give and bequeath to my said son William Lanier all my house hold and kitchen furniture of all kinds after his mother's decease, to him and his heirs and assigns forever, Also I give and bequeath to my son Nicholas Shepherd Lanier, one negro slave, namely Jack, to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Also I give and bequeath to my son Lewis Lanier two negro slaves namely: Mary and May, after his mother's decease, to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Brown one negro slave namely. Tiny, to her her heirs and assigned forever, and I do bequeath that if there be any of my estate which is not mentioned and herein bequeath to my son William Lanier, to him his heirs and assigned forever.
I do desire there may be no appraisement of my estate and I do leave my son William Lanier my Executor.
Given under my hand and seal this Ninth day of June, one thousand seven hundred and seventy six.
Nicholas Lanier (Seal)
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presece of
Robert Gee, Jr.
John Lanier
William Persons his amrk
A COPY
TESTE
R. Turnbull, Clerk
Assorted records re: BIRD THOMAS LANIER
Indenture (Lease) made the 1st day May, 1739, between Bird Thomas Lanier and Benjamin Lanier. (Deed Book 2, page 7.)
Indenture made the 4th day of April, 1745, between
Bird Thomas Lanier of Brunswick County and Richard Russell,
for 45 pounds, conveying 283 acres, being a part of a larger tract granted
to John Spell by Letters of Patent bearing date of December 28, 1736,
and beginning at Daniel Taylor's corner hickory. . . Witnesses were John
Ward, John Ezell, and Thomas Twitty.
Acknowledged in Court on April 4, 1745, by Bird Thomas Lanier and
Mary Lanier, wife of the said Bird Thomas Lanier, appeared
and voluntarily relinquished her right of dower. (Deed Book 3, page 6).
Varied Documents regarding
William Byrd
Excerpts from "Cavaliers & Pioneers", Nell M. Nugent
COL. WILLIAM BYRD & MARY, his wife, 1086 acs., Chas. City Co., in Wynoake Par., 27 Apr. 1686, p. 500. Beg. on the river, on W. side of the 2nd gutt above Horsemendon's Cr., through the swamp; neare the gr. Road; to Robert Nicholson; by Merryman's Gutt, &c. 150 acs. granted John Merryman, 10 May 1638; & conveyed to Henry Cantrell; 800 acs. granted sd. Cantrell, 10 Jan. 1640; which tracts by sundry meane conveyances are come to sd. William & Mary; 136 acs. found within sd. bounds. Trans. of 3 pers: Mary Harwood, Henry Loyd, Wm. Morgan. (p. 345) [MR. JOHN BROADNAX's section refers to back of land of Honble. Wm. Byrd, Esqr., at the falls of James Riv.]
(p. 358) [JOHN STOWERS & JOHN GOOD's section, Henrico Co., Verina Par, on S. side of James Riv., refers to Col. Wm. Byrd.] (p. 374) MR. PHILIP JONES, 1238 A., 2 R., 36 P. [a=acres, r=rods, p=poles], Henrico Co; on S. side of Swift Cr., 29 Apr. 1692, p. 217. Granted Bartho. Chandler, 27 Nov. 1671, from whom it escheated by inquisition under Willm. Byrd, Esqr., Esch'r., 26 May 1686, & now granted, &c.
(p. 378) [MR. GILES WEBB's section refers to land in Henrico Co. on N. side of James Riv. bet. Honble. Willm. Byrd, Esqr., & Mr. Robt. Beverley. Also "an heap of Great Rocks on up. side of sd. Byrd's land."] (p. 394) [SAMUEL GOOD's section refers to land in Henrico Co., Verina Par., S. side of James River, adj. John Good & Col. William Byrd.] (p. 402) [GEORGE PASSMORE's section refers to Col. William Byrd, Esqr., whose land adj. his 220 acs. on S. side of James River in Chas. City Co.]