WILL OF ELIZABETH BERRYMAN (1685-1763)

Westmoreland County, Virginia, Book 14, Page 179

In the Name of God Amen  I Elizabeth Berryman of the County of 
Westmoreland being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind and 
memory do constitute and appoint this my last Will & testament in 
manner following.  Whereas my husband Benjamin Berryman by his last 
Will authorized me to make distribution of all his slaves to his six 
sons or the survivors of them and whereas three of the said Sons viz 
Newton, John and Henry died before they came of age and was not 
possesst of any of their fathers estate and whereas William, James 
and Maximilian are the surviving sons I give all the slaves with 
their increase to be divided as follows, Imprimis I give to my son 
William Berryman Old Negro Jack and Grace and their ten Children and 
bob which in his possession and Sall which I delivered to him as part
of his fathers estate some years past but being a little Negro girl, 
that attended me I desired my son William to let her stay and wait on
me which is now with me, as also I give him Rachel and Nel & Beck 
their Mother, to him and his heirs and assigns forever and allso my 
fathers Old Silver Tankard without a lid and also my fathers coat of 
arms.  Af also I give to my said son William Berryman all the lands 
I bought of Cossom Bennett in the County of Westmoreland which I have 
given him by a deed and do confirm to him his heirs and assigns 
forever,  

Item  I give to my son James Berryman, Negro Georgi, Jack, Anthony, 
Ben, Aaron, Suke, Nace, Mary, Tim, Ned, Jude, Peg and her youngest 
Chile Gerrat, Winney, and Bettey to him his heirs and assigns forever.  

Item  I give to my son Maximilian, fourteen Negroes which he has in 
his possession as also Salley, Lilla and Frank which are yet in my 
possession, to him his heirs and assigns forever.  

Item  my will and desire is that my stock and household stuff of 
what kind ---- Tobacco Corn Money --- shall be equally divided between 
my three children this is to say William James and Katherine Nowles,  

Item  my son Benjamin Berryman had his part of his fathers estate 
before his death, 

Item my daughter Rose Taliaferro had her part of her fathers estate 
before his death.  

Item my Daughter Frances Foot has her part since her fathers death 
according to his Will and gave a receipt for it.  

Item my daughter Sarah Douglas has had her part of the negroes
and my daughter Katharine Nowles has had her part of the Negroes, the
reason bf my giving son William Seventeen Negroes and my son James 
but sixteen is because some negroes that my son William is possest 
of are very Deficient for old Jach & Grace are almost past labour, 
and one negro fellow with One eye and one hand, and another cripled 
and of very little use, therefore I think the division I have made 
will make them equal according to quantity and quality.  

Item  I appoint my sons William and James Berryman executors to this 
my last will and testament

In withness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of June 1762  - 
Elizabeth £ Berrymen (her mark)

Signed Sealed and delivered
In presence of
Gerrard Blackstone Causeen
Josias Causeen
Thomas Clark
William Staples

At a court held for Westmoreland County the 22 day of February 1763, 
This last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Berryman decd was proved 
according to law by the Oaths of Josias Causeen and William Stapes 
Witnesses thereto and Ordered to be recorded and on the motion of 
said William Berryman One of the executors named in the said Will who
made Oath according to law and together with Willoughby Newton his 
Security entered into and acknowledged Bond with Condition as the law 
directs Certificate is granted him for Obtaining a probate thereof
in due form liberty being reserved to James Berryman the Other 
executor named in the said Will to join in the probate when he shall 
think fit -

Test

Submitted by Mary Love Berryman <marylove@tyler.net>