WILL
of Francis Thornton
*1726 Will of Francis Thornton, son of William Thornton (AKA: the
"immigrant")
In the Name of God Amen. I Francis Thornton of the County of King
George considering the frailty of this mortal life and being sick and weak in
Body but of sound and perfect sense and memory praised be God for the same doe
make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.
Imprimis: I give to two sons Francis Thornton and Rowland Thornton all
my tract of Land at the foot of the Lower Falls of Rappahannock River
containing Eight Hundred & Odd acres which I purchased of Mr. John Hawkins,
my son Francis to have the upper part and my son Rowland the lower part of the
said land by equal portions as it is already divided. The said Land with all
its appurtenances doe I give and bequeath to my said two sons Francis and
Rowland to them or either of them their heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Rowland Thornton the moiety or
half of a tract of land containing one thousand acrew which I purchased of Mr.
John Wright as by deed of sale recorded in Richmond County Court may appear the
said moiety or half which I do give and bequeath to my son Rowland beginning on
the line(s of) John Hawxford and Thomas Tippett and running the full breadth of
the said land on both sides Crowes Swamp upwards to a division line already
made by my son Anthony Thornton by my consent which said five hundred acres I
doe give and bequeath to my said son Rowland Thornton his heirs and behoofs
forever.
Item: I give and bequeath the other moiety or half of the said
Thousand acres of land purchased of John Wright to my Loving Wife Ann Thornton
in full dower and satisfaction of all my Lands before given and bequeathed that
she shall claim no right, title, interest or claim in or to any of my other
lands before bequeathed which said five hundred acres of land I give to my said
Wife during her natural life and after her decease that is to say after the
death of said wife Ann then the said five hundred acres of land I give and
bequeath unto George Riding, the son of my wife Ann Thornton, to him the said
George Riding his heirs and behoofs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to George Riding the son of my Wife Ann
Thornton, one tract or tenement of land containing one hundred and seventy odd acres
which I purchased of Capt. John Washington lying and being in the County of
King George, the said land I do give and bequeath unto the above named George
Riding to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my eldest son William Thornton Five
pounds of Sterling.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Francis Thornton Five pounds
Sterling.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Elizabeth Gibson
Five pounds Sterling.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Taliaferro Five
pounds Sterling.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Strother Thirty
pounds Sterling. I having Ninety pounds Sterling now due to me from my son
Anthony Thornton, my will is that these above named legacies to all my children
above named be paid out of the said Ninety pounds and the remainder of the said
ninety pounds after all the above said Money Lagacies are paid, I give and
bequeath unto my son Anthony Thornton.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson Francis Conway one mulatto
girl named Bess.
Item: I give and bequeath unto the within named George Riding, son of
my Wife Ann, five slaves by name - Mullato James, Negro Dick, Negro Jane, Negro
Nanny and a Negro boy named Samuel.
Item: The rest of my Negroes I give and bequeath unto my Loving Wife
Ann Thornton during her natural life and after her decease I will and bequeath
all my said Negros to be divided by equal portions between George &
Margaret Riding, son & daughter of my now wife Ann Thornton.
Item: I give all my personal estate unto my Loving Wife Ann Thornton
during her widdowhood and in case she marrieth my said personal estate to be
equally divided between my said wife and her two within named Children George
& Margaret Riding by three equal portions.
And I do hereby make constitute and ordain my loving wife Ann Thornton
my whole and sole Executrix of this my Last Will & Testament. In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this 10th day of may 1726.
Francis Thornton [Seal]
Signed Sealed and Acknowledged in presence of us
T: Turner
Thomas Moore
John [I] Kendall
At a Court held for King George County on Friday ye. 7th day of October
1726. This last Will & Testament of Francis Thornton, deceased, was
presented into Court by Ann Thornton, his Widow & Executrix, who made oath
thereto and the same was proved by the oaths of Thomas Turner, Thomas Moore,
and John Kendall the Evidences thereto and Admitted to Record.
Copy Test
T: Turner Cl:Cur:
