Blackburn, Colonel Richard
of Rippon Lodge, Prince William Co, VA
will dated 12 July 1757
will proved 26 July 1757-23 August 1757.

In the name of God, Amen. I Richard Blackburn of the Parish of Dittengen and the County of Prince William, Gentleman, being at this present of sound mind and memory and perfect health in Body do here make this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all my former Wills. Imprimis. I bequeath my soul to God in humble hopes of his mercy through Jesus Christ and my body to the Earth to be decently interred by my Executors without any pomp or procession.

Item: I give and devise unto my eldest son John Blackburn and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever all my Lands in Stafford and Prince William County except such part thereof as is herein after particularly devised, and half my slaves and mulatto servants which slaves are to be annexed to and descend with the same lands and in case my said John should die without such issue as afsd then I give and devise the same Lands and Slaves to my son Thomas Blackburn and to the heirs of his Body lawfully begotten forever and in default of such issue as afsd then I give and devise the same lands and slaves to my three daughters in fee to wit: Jane the wife of Major John Baylis of Prince William County, Ann the wife of Mr John Carey of Gloucester County, and Alice the wife of Mr William Ellzey. Attorney at Law, of the County of Prince William and also to the issue male of the Body of my Daughter Mary now the wife of Mr John Ballendine in fee as afsd to be equally divided between my three afsd three daughters, Ann, Jean, and Alice and the Issue male of my afsd daughter Mary as afsd and that enjoy the same as Tenants in Common and not as joint Tenants and if either of my said Daughters, Ann, Jean, and Alice should die before such contingency as afsd should happen leaving issue or my said daughter Mary should have no issue male of her Body lawfully begotten or such issue should die before any division of my Estate as afsd is made between such issue and my three daughters Ann, Jean, and Alice then and in such case it is my Will and desire such Issue left either by or all my said three last mentioned Daughters do respectively inherit their Mothers part or parts in the same manner as such Issue would have done had their Mother been actually seized and possessed of the same Lands and Slaves in fee.

Item: I give and devise unto my youngest son Thomas Blackburn and to his heirs of his Body lawfully begotten forever all my Lands in Fairfax and Frederick Counties & the other half of all my slaves and Mulatto Servants which said Slaves are to be annexed to and descend with the same Lands and in default of such Issue as afsd then I give and devise the same Land and Slaves to my son John Blackburn and the heirs of his Body lawfully begotten forever, and in default of such issue I give & devise the same Lands and Slaves to be equally divided among my three Daughters Ann, Jean, and Alice and the issue male of my Daughter Mary in fee under the same proviso's limitations and restrictions as in the first clause in my devise to my son John is particularly mentioned and expressed.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my two sons John & Thomas Blackburn all of the stocks of cattle, sheep, horses and hogs which shall be at the time of my death on the several plantations or tracts of lands I have respectively devised them. I give and devise unto my two afsd sons all the Tools and utensils belonging to my Six Quarters on Broad Run, Bull Run and Middle Grounds with my household Furniture at my Lodge to be equally divided between them.

Item: I lend unto my wife Mary Blackburn (in lieu of her Dower thirds or child's part of my Estate or those of those slaves I had by her as her Dower of Col Ashton's Estate) the use of my Dwelling Plantation together with the Grist Mill on Neabso Run as also the Land purchased by me at Nimrod Hotts Executors whereon there is now a Quarter of mine with the use, benefit, and labour of the Slaves on the said Plantation (excepting and reserving one Slave named Popmey who is to go to the Bull Run Quarters and so the Carpenters work for the benefit of all my other Quarters and Plantations as often as there is repairs wanting or new houses built on them or any of them and annually to make the Tobacco Hhd and Cyder Casks on the same Plantations during her natural life (if she remains a Widow) and it is my will & desire that upon her marriage then and in such case she should enjoy and have that the remainder of the same go to my two afsd Sons John and Thomas in the same manner and form as before bequests are made to them. I also lend unto my said wife all my silver plate during her widowhood.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my afsd wife (provided she does not marry) all my stocks of Cattle, Sheep, horses and hogs and household furniture on the same Plantations I have lent her which said Stock and Furniture I give to her and her heirs forever upon the Conditions as afsd my afsd Wife and two sons paying the yearly Quit Rents and Taxes to become due for the same Lands respectively lent and devised to them. Also it is my will and desire that I do hereby order and appoint that all the Slaves I had by my said wife as Dower of Colonel Ashton's Estate during her natural life be continued to work and labour with my other slaves at the several Quarters they now are or hereafter shall be thought by my Executors most convenient and advantageous to put them at and further it is my desire that the several White servants and little Mulatto Will and Peter remain with my Wife for her use as the Slaves lent her herein before mentioned during the several Terms they have to serve by Indenture, custom or any other wise.

Item: My Will and desire is that the six several Quarters of mine herein before mentioned on Broad Run, Bull Run, & Middle Grounds be kept up and that seven tithable Slaves be kept and worked on each of the sd Plantations and that my said Wife may have one third part of the annual profits or nett proceeds arising therefrom during her natural life under the restrictions and upon the conditions as afsd and if the Slaves afsd on any or either of the said plantations should die or any other accident happen so as to disable them from working in the Crops then my desire is that the afsd number of seven shall be kept up at each Plantation by purchasing others in lieu thereof and that such so purchased shal be paid for by my Executors out of the profits arising & accruing from the said six Quarters.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my said two sons John and Thomas (after the death or marriage of their Mother as afsd) when they attain the age of twenty one years to be equally divided between them all my silver plate and if either of my said sons should ide before such age then I give the whole to the surviving Brother and if both should depart this life as afsd then I give and devise the same Plate to my three Daughters Ann, Jean, and Alice to be equally divided between and to each of their heirs forever.

Item. It is my Will and desire that if either of my afsd sons John and Thomas should depart this life without issue as afsd that the surviving brother who shall have the Legacies mentioned to be given tot eh decedant the said survivor or his heirs within two years after he shall attain the age of twenty one years shall pay to each of my said three daughters Ann, Jean, and Alice and their heirs or legal representatives the sum of one hundred pounds current money and in case such surviving brother should refuse or delay the payment of the same as afsd then it is my Will and desire that the devise and bequest of such decedants part to such survivor be void and that the same be divided among my three daughters Ann, Jane, and Alice and the heirs of my Daughter Mary equally, and I then give and devise the same to them and their heirs forever and that enjoy the same as Tenants in common. Further it is my will and desire that my son Thomas have the benefit and labour of my four carpenters for two years (except their making Tobacco Hogsheads for my son John and doing other Plantation work for him as cannot be referred for that term) to erect and build a houses convenient on the Plantations devised to him and that my said son Thomas be furnished and supplied with Corn for the use of the said Plantations for one year by my son John after the division of my Estate is made between them which I desire may not be until my said son Thomas attains the age of twenty one years. I do appoint that my two waggons and Team of Oxen which is now in use and Jacob and Ben or any two of my other negro men at the choice of my Executors be set apart for the use of the Quarters and Plantations belonging to my said sons John and Thomas for the conveniency of bringing down their Tobacco and other commodities and at other times to be for the use of my said wife during her widowhood.

Item. It is my will and desire that after the decease or marriage of my said wife then the Plantation whereon I now live as also the other purchased of Hotts Executors do descend pass and go unto my afsd two sons John and Thomas in manner before mentioned and distinguished under the Lands in Stafford and Prince William Counties (to wit) to my Son in tail, remainder to my son Thomas in tail, remainder to my three daughters Ann Jane & Alice and the male issue of my Daughter Mary in fee as by the same clause may appear.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann wife of Mr John Cary the sum of two hundred pounds current money of Virginia my said Daughter having already received from me above that Sum.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughter Jane wife of Major John Baylis and to her heirs forever all that Tract or parcel of Land which they now live on with the several Tracts adjoining containing about six hundred acres be the same more or less the burnt ordinary included in the same. I also give and bequeath to my said Daughter Jane the sum of three hundred pounds current money of Virginia.

Item: I order that my Executors as soon as conveniently may be after my decease place at Interest on good security the sum of four hundred pounds current money of Virginia and pay the interest thereof yearly to my Daughter Alice the wife of Mr William Ellzey during her natural life and if the said William Ellzey or my sd Daughter Alice shall sell. assign, transfer, or make over to any person or persons whatsoever their or either of their rights to the interest arising from the said sum of four hundred pounds that then and immediately after such sale the payment of the said annuity to my Daughter Alice shall cease, and I do hereby direct that the same shall remain in the hands of my executors for the use of the children of my said Daughter Alice to be paid to them equally when they arrive to the age of twenty years and after the death of my said Daughter Alice I give and bequeath the said principal sum of four hundred pounds to be equally divided amongst her children when they arrive to the age of twenty years and if my Daughter shall depart this life without leaving any child then I give the said sum of four hundred pounds to be equally divided amongst the children of my Daughter Mary the wife of Mr John Ballendine when they arrive to the age of twenty years.

Item: I also order that my Executors as soon as conveniently may be after my decease place at Interest on good Security the sum of three hundred pounds Sterling and pay the interest thereof yearly to my Daughter Mary the wife of Mr John Ballendine during her natural life and if the said John Ballendine or my said Daughter Mary shall sell assign transfer or make over to any person or persons whatsoever their or either of their rights to the Interest arising from the said Sum of three hundred pounds Sterling that then and immediately after such sale payment of the said annuity to my Daughter Mary shall cease and I do hereby direct that the same shall remain in the hands of my executors for the use of the children of my said Daughter Mary to be paid to them equally when they to the age of Twenty years and after tyhe dath of my said Daughter Mary I give and bequeath the said principal sum of three hundred pounds Sterling to be equally divided amongst her children when they arrive to the age of twenty years. And if my said Daughter Mary shall depart this life without leaving any child then I give and bequeath the said sum of three hundred pounds Sterling to be equally divided amongst the children of my daughter Alice when they arrive to the age of twenty years.

Item: I give unto my son John Blackburn my silver mountes Sword and my Silver Watch & Gold Studds when he arrives to the age of twenty one years and if he should die before such age then I give the same to my son Thomas.

Item: I give unto my son Thomas Blackburn one Silver Watch and Silver mounted Hanger when he attains to the age of twenty one years and if he should die before such age then I give the same to my son John.

Item: It is my will and desire that my son in law Major John Baylis have the management of my Six Quarters until my son John shall arrive to the age of twenty one years or in case of his Death until my son Thomas arrives at the same age and that he account annually for the profits of the same.

Item: It is my will & desire and I do hereby appoint my son Thomas to be under the management and tuition of my Good Friend Colo John Champe until he arrives at the age of twenty one years.

Item: I give unto my nephew Edward Blackburn son of my brother Edward Blackburn of Bermuda twenty five pounds current money, thirty Barrels of Indian Corn, fifteen bushels of wheat & six hundred pounds of Pork.

Item: It is my will that the Several sums of money ordered to be placed at Interest by my Executors be raised out of the money due to me from Colo John Tayloe, Colo Presley Thornton & Colo John Champe.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth, Sarah & John children of my son-in-law William Elliott late of the County of Gloucester, dec'd, the sum of twenty five pounds sterling a piece to be laid out by the direction of Colo John Champe and my son in law John Cary in negro Slaves for the use of the Children.

Item: It is my will that if there be not sufficient to pay the legacies hereby given out of the Debts due to me that the Lagatees abate in proportion to their legacies and if there should more Debts be received than a sufficient to pay legacies then I give the overplus to be divided between my loving Wife Mary and my sons John and Thomas.

Item: I give to my friend Peter Wagener of Fairfax, Gent; and to each of my Executors a mourning ring. It is my will and desire that my Son in Law John Baylis collect and receive all my Debts and pay off the legacies. And lastly I do appoint my loving son John Blackburn, my son-in-law Majr John Baylis and the Honbl William Fairfax, George William Fairfax, and Henry Lee Esqrs, Colo John Champe and the Revd Mr James Scott executors of this my last will and Testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twelfth day of July 1757.

Rd Blackburn (seal)

(proved Jul 26-27 and Aug 23, 1757)

(source: Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol 31, 1950 pp38-43;  research courtesy of Daniel Adkisson  2003)