The Shemwell Family

Transcription Text: "In the name of God, Amen, I, Edward McGehee, of Cumberland County, Virginia, being in my perfect sences and memory, do make this my last Will and Testament as followeth, "Item 1, My son John McGehee, the following slaves Doll, Sol, Darkus, Ben, Lucy, Miner and Judy together with their increase. And 700 acres of land lying in Prince Edward County, Virginia joyning the land of Jacob McGehee. To him and his heirs, forever. "Item 2. My daughter Mary Hodnett, five shillings current money. "Item 3. My daughter Elizabeth Wright one Negro Wench named Hannah, and her child named Moses, together with her increase. I give to my daughter Elizabeth Wright 400 acres of land, being part of land where I now live, and joining land of Thomas Wright. To her and her heirs forever. "Item 4. My son-in-law Thomas Wright one-half of my water-grist mill. I likewise give to my son-in-law Thomas Wright one-half of the land that I purchased, joyning the Mill. To him and his heirs, forever. "Item 5. My son Micasah McGehee, one Negro man named Bob. I likewise give to my son Micasah 700 acres of land in Prince Edward County, Virginia being the land whereon he now lives joining the land of John Martin. To him and his heirs forever. "Item 6. My son Mumford McGehee, one Negro boy named Peter. I likewise give to som Mumford, 700 acres of land in Prince Edward County being land laid off in a lot - as will appear - by a plot number 1, being the land where he now lives. To him and his heirs forever. "Item 7. My son Daniel McGehee, one Negro boy named Ned. I likewise give to my son Daniel 700 acres of land in Prince William County being land laid off in a lot - as will appear - by a plot number 2, to him and his heirs forever. "Item 8. My son William McGehee, one Negro boy named Tom. I likewise give to my son William 700 acres of land in Prince William County being land laid off - in a lot - as will appear by a plot number 3. I give to my son William two cows and calves, and one feather bed, and furniture. To him and his heirs forever. "Item 9. My son Jacob McGehee, one negro boy named Tom. I likewise give to my son Jacob 700 acres of land in Prince Edward County being land laid off - in a lot - as will appear by a plot number 6. I give to my son Jacob two cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture. To him and his heirs forever. "Item 10. My son Samuel McGehee one negro boy named Pompy. I likewise give to my son Samuel 700 acres of land in Prince Edward County being laid off - in a lot - as will appear by plot number 4. I give my son Samuel two cows and calves and one feather bed, and furniture. To him and his heirs forever. "Item 11. My daughter Anna McGehee, one negro girl named Rachel with her increase. I likewise give to my daughter Anna 400 acres of land - being part of the tract whereon I now live joyning my Mill. Should my wife want any timber on the said 400 acres of land or want to land any part thereof during her life, my desire is that she may not be prevented. To Anna and her heirs forever. "Item 12. I lend to my beloved wife Elizabeth McGehee the land and plantation whereon I now live with 400 acres of land. Likewise the following slaves: Seasor, London, Sampson, Bristol, Jean, Lucy, Harry, Dick, Agg, Londin, Jessie, and the one-half of the profits of my Grist Mill, with the remainder of my stock, household goods, working Tools, etc. that is on my plantation - during her natural life. "My desire is, After my wife's decease that the land whereon that I now live, may be equally divided between my two daughters Elizabeth Wright and my daughter Anna. "And futher My desire is that after the death of my Wife Elizabeth, the one-half of my Mill, the remainder of my house-hold goods, and stock with the above slaves lent my wife, may be sold by my executors to the highest bidders and seventy-five pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence, to be paid to my son Jacob McGehee. "And thirty pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence, to be paid to my son Daniel McGehee. "And also nine pounds sixteen shillings and four pence, to be paid to my son William McGehee. "And my desire is that after the above Cash is paid to my three sons Jacob, Daniel and William, that The balance may be equally divided between My daughter Elizabeth Wright, and my six sons Micasah, Mumford, Daniel, William, Jacob and Samuel and my daughter Anna. "And further my will and desire is that in case, either of my six sons or My Daughter Anna should dye before they arrive at the age twenty-one years, or Marry, that their part may be equally divided among the remainder of the last mentioned children. "And lastly, I do appoint My beloved Wife, Elizabeth McGehee, my son, Mumford, my son-in-law, Thomas Wright, and Henry Macon, Executors of this My last Will and testament. In witness hereof - set my hand and seal this, 4th, April 1770. Edward McGehee "Signed and Sealed his S. X. S. Mark. "And acknowledged in the presence "of and interlinded before sealed "Nathan Glenn "James Glenn "Nehemiah Glenn". At a Court held in Cumberland, Cumberland County, Virginia 28th January 1771 "This last Will, and testament of Edward McGehee deceased was proved by Nathan Glenn and Nehemiah Glenn, two of the witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Elizabeth McGehee executrix. Mumford McGehee and Thomas Wright two of the executors therein, named, who made oath according to law Certificate is granted them for obtaining probate thereof in due form And liberty is reserved to the other Executor to join in probat. Test Thompson Swann, Clerk "A copy Teste: Lewis Crawley, Clerk Circuit Court of Cumberland County - Seal"