Will of John Burton Dated 8 Nov 1820
Amelia County, Virginia Will Book No. 10 page 210
In the name of God amen. I John Burton of Amelia County Virginia being weak of body but of sound mind and disposing memory for which I thank God do hereby make this my last will and testament in manner and form following, to wit,
Item 1. My will and desire is that the monies which are due me be immediately collected and out of it all my just debts be paid, but should it prove insufficient for that purpose then such paid of my present crop by sold by my representatives hereafter named as can be best spared and out of the monies arising from such sale satisfy whatever balance of my just debts may remain unpaid.
Item 2nd. My will and desire is that my wife, Blanchy Burton, have the following property during her natural life, to wit, Winfry, Moses, Joshua, Amy, Delia, Peggy, and Patty, they and their increase and the use of the whole of my land, the stock of all kinds, plantation utensils...etc. And after her decease I give the same to my two daughters herein after named to be equally divided between them and to be enjoyed by them and their heirs forever.
Item 3rd. My will and desire is that the balance of my negroes with their increase be equally divided between my two daughters Sally Ann Partrich Burton and Martha Jordan Burton when either of them shall arrive to the age of 21 years but should either of them marry before they arrive to that age the division then to take place to them and their heirs forever. But until the time for the division aforesaid shall arrive for them to remain together for the use of my wife and daughters. My daughters to be educated, boarded and clothed from my estate until the aforesaid time of division.
Item 4th. My will and desire is that in the event of the death of either of my daughters before they arrive to the age of twenty one years or marry that my wife have the one half of the portion of the deceased during her natural life and after her death to my remaining daughter. I give the whole of estate to her and her heirs forever and in case of the death of both my daughters before the time aforesaid then my wife to have the whole of my estate during her natural life and she is at liberty to dispose of it at her death in my family as she may think proper.
Item 5th And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my wife Blanchy Burton executrix and James Chapell AND Barnet Burton executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or former wills made by me heretofore. In witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of Nov in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and twenty. Jno. Burton.
Recorded in Amelia County Court July 23, 1824.