From Virginia State Archives, September 1986

WILL OF JOHN SHIPP
Fauquier County, VA. - Will Book #1 Page 324-325

In the name of God Amen this 19 th day of February 1778, I John Shipp of the County of Fauquier in the Colony of Virginia being very sick and weak of body but of perfect sense & memory thanks be to Almighty God for the same, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make, Ordain & Constitute this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following, that is to say first and principally I recommend my Soul to God who Gave it me and my body to the Earth from whence it was taken to be buried in such Christian like manner as my Executors/ hereafter mentioned/ shall think proper, and as for what worldly Estate it hath pleased God to bestow on me I dispose of as followeth viz.
Item my desire is that all my Just debts & funeral Charges be first paid & discharged.
Item I give & bequeath to my son Richard Wiatt Shipp Negroes big Lucy & Little Lucy, to him and his Heirs.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Laban Shipp Negroes Sampson & Judy to him & his heirs.
Item I give and bequeath to my Son Coleby Shipp Negroes Tom and Joshua, to him and his heirs.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Suckey Drummond Negroes Hannah & Lancaster to her and her heirs.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Shipp negroes Milly and Ben to her and her heirs.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Betsey Shipp Negroes Winny & Davie to her and her heirs.
Item I give & bequeath to my daughter Nancy, Negroe Amey to her & her heirs together with Seventy five pounds Virginia Currency.
Item I give and bequeath the rest of my Estate to be equally divided among my Children before mentioned and if any of them die under age and unmarried that then their parts be equally divided among the Survivors.
Item my will and desire is that my sons Richard Wiatt Shipp and Laban Shipp be my whole and Sole Executors of this my last Will & Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal the day & year first above Written.

Sign'd Seald & acknowledged
in presence of                                                                         his
Thomas Lewis, William Donaldson                                  John   #  Shipp L.S.
Thomas James                                                                       mark

At a Court held for Fauquier County the 23d day of March 1778
This Will was proved by the Oaths of William Donaldson & Thomas James Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of Richard Wiatt Shipp one of the Executors therein named who made Oath and Executed & acknowledged bond as the Law directs Certificate is Granted him for obtaining a probat thereof in due form.
Teste H. CC.