Will of Frances Brown:
[Transcription] In the name of God Amen. I Frances Brown of the Parish of Saint Andrews and county of Brunswick being of sound & perfect sense and memory (blessed be God) do this fourth day of May in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred & eighty one make my last will in manner and form following (to wit). I lend unto my daughter Sarah Daniel the use of one negro girl Molly during her natural life and after her death I give the said negro girl Molly unto my grandson Briley Daniel to him and his heirs forever. Also I lend unto my daughter Mary Hardaway the use of one negro boy named Will untill my grandson Benager Sexon arrives to the age of twenty one years or marries and then I give the said Will to him and his heirs forever but if my said grandson Benager Sexon should die before he arrives to the age of twenty one years or marrys then and in such case I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Mary Hardaway the said negro Will to her and her heirs forever. And I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sucky Brett one negro boy named Will (the son of Jenny) to her and her heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Frances Burdage two negro slaves (to wit) a woman named Ding & her daughter Genny with all their future increase from this day to her and her heirs forever. Also I give unto my grandson Richard Brown Owen one feather bed & furniture and his heirs forever.
And after all my just debts & funeral expenses are paid out of the residue of my estate I give the whole of my estate real & personal not herein before disposed of to my son Lewis Brown (to wit) seven negro slaves named Tom, Jenny, Suckey, Daniel, Matthew, Robin and Judy, two horses, and all other my stock of cattle hoggs & sheep and all my kitchen & household furniture (except as above excepted) to him and his heirs forever. And since that there may not be any approvisionment of my estate and I do appoint my said son Lewis Brown and my friend Thomas Stith the executors of this my will hereby revoking all former wills by me made & declaring this to be my true last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day of year aforesaid. Frances (her + mark) Brown. Witnesses: Thomas Stith, David Andrews, Alexander Andrews. Recorded 28 May 1781 (Brunswick Co VA Order Book #2, 1741-1783, pp 163-4, FHL #30662)