- In the name of God Amen. I Zachariah Morris of Amelia County being in good health and sound mind thanks be to God for the same do make this my last will and testament, giving and bequeathing in the manner and form as followeth:
- I lend to my wife Sarah Morris my whole estate during her life or widowhood for her reasonable support but at her death or marriage to be equally divided among my sons and daughters, To wit Isaac, Zachariah, Joel and Edmund Morris and – of my daughters, Betsy, Polly, Nancy, Sally, Rachal and Asenath to them and the heirs of their body for ever and it is my desire that my lands nor negroes shall not be sold without it is by the consent of all the legatees and that my son Isaac shall have his part of land joining where he now lives but his — not to be valued with the land and if the legatees can't agree between themselves to divide then let them choose such men as they shall see cause to divide for them and let every one have his lot and is allotted for them.
But such lots as shall or may be lotted for my two daughters Betsy and Nancy I leave in the hands of my executors to let them have it as they may or shall see cause for their support and if there is any remaining in their hands at either of their deaths to be divided amongst their children.
And lastly I constitute and appoint my three sons Isaac Morris, Zachariah Morris, and Joel Morris my executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and fix my seal this fifteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and seven.
Witnesses: William Marten, Edward Farley, Polly Martin, Reuben Rucker.
*****At a court held for Amelia County the 23rd day of February 1809 the last will and testament of Zachariah Morris was exhibited unto court and proved by the oaths of the witnesses subscribing the same and was ordered to be recorded. And at another court held for the said County the 22nd day of June following on the motion of Isaac Morris, one of the executors named in the said will who took the oath entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of nine thousand dollars with William Powell and John Chapin his securities, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form, liberty being reserved to the other executors to join in the probate when they may think proper.
*****And at another court held for the said county the 23 August 1816 on the motion of Joel Morris one of the Exors named in the said will who took the oath by law prevailed and entered into and acknowledged bond with Allen Jeter and James Holt his securities in the penalty of $10,000 — according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate interest in due form.
- LINK BACK to Smith Family Vital Records
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