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Author: Sheila_Schmutz Surnames: Oliver, Whittington, Denton Classification: will Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.oliver/4772/mb.ashx Message Board Post: WILL, transcribed by Sheila Schmutz on March 10, 2009 from a photocopy of the original obtained from Brunswick County, VA Circuit Court In the name of God Amen the 15th Day of January 1764 [last number looks like a triangle] I John Oliver of the County of Brunswick of perfect Mind and Memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto Mind the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all Men are to Die to make and ordain this my last Will & Testament that is to say Principal and first of all I give and bequeath my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executor not doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God and as touching such would by estate where with it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me in this life I give and dismiss and discharge of the same in the following manner and form. Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Lucy Oliver all my land and Stock of Cattle Hoggs and Horses and all my Household Goods and likewise four Negroes Viz. Daniel, George, Sarah and Nancy to her and her disposal. Item I give and bequeath to my Brother James Oliver four shillings sterling Item I give and bequeath to my Brother Isaac Oliver five shillings sterling. I likewise appoint my beloved wife Lucy Oliver whole and sole execing [sic - spelling?] of this my last will and Testament in Witness whereof I have ... set my Word and Seal. John Oliver (L.S.?) Test John Whittington Test William Low At a court for Brunswick County the 23rd Day of June 1766 This Will was presented in Court by John Whittington and William Low who made Oath the this said Will according to Law and the same was proved by the Oaths of John Whittington and William Low the Witness thereto & ordered to be recorded and certificate granted the said John Whittington and William Low for obtaining Letters of Administration of the Estate of the said Decedent therewith annexed? In due form they having with Swan Prichard and Howel Whittington their Securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the Penalty of two hundred and fifty Pounds with condition according to Law. Test N. Edwards [initials I can't read] WILL, transcribed by Sheila Schmutz on March 10, 2009 from a photocopy of the original obtained from Brunswick County, VA Circuit Court In the name of God Amen the 4 [looks like a triangle] Day of December 1765 I Lucy Oliver of the County of Brunswick of perfect Mind and Memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto Mind the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all Men are to Die to make and ordain this my last Will & Testament that is to say Principal and first of all I give and bequeath my Soul into the Hands of God my beloved Savior and redeemer and what worldly goods it has been pleased God to endure [spelling?] me with I give and bequeath in the following manner and form. I give and bequeath to Isaac Oliver Son of James Oliver one Negro wench named Sarah and bed and furniture one Biswos [spelling?] Holland Coat one pain fustin ~ Briskers and one Virgineah Cloth Jacket. Item I give & bequeath to Howell Whittington one Negro boy named Harry. Item I give and bequeath unto John Denton my Land whereon I now live one Hog and one Cow. Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Whittington one Young Mare one Gold Ring one chest my Jirt [spelling?] of black Cloth and money to bie [sic] a lock for the Chest. Item I give and bequeath unto John Whittington five Head of Cattle & five Head of Hoggs. Item I give and bequeath unto William Low the remainder of my Husbands Cloths one Bed and furniture one ? Saddle and Bridle one Hood and one Hogg one Cow and Calf Item I give and bequeath unto James Oliver five head of Cattle and three head of Hoggs one Saddle & Housing and one Horse. Item I give and bequeath unto Frederick Whittington all the money that's in his Hands Item I give and bequeath unto Lucy Harper one hive & Cloak one Dish one Bason three Plates and one Gold Ring. Item I give and bequeath unto Jesse [spelling?] Denton son of John Denton one Dish one Bason and three Plates. Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Rivers one Pair of Cartwheels I design that the remainder par of my Estate may be sold for the Maintenance of my Mother and to pay the Debts that are Due. I likewise Make and ordain John Whittington and William Low Exers of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal. Lucy Oliver [two initials I can't read] her mark Test Edward Denton Test Howell Whittington Test Ezebell Denton At a court held for Brunswick County the 23rd Day of June 1766 This will was presented in Court by John Whittington and William Low the Exers therein named and was proved by the Oaths of Howell Whittington and Izabell Denton two of the Witnesses thereunto and ordered to be Recorded and on the motion of the said Exers who make Oath thereto Certificate is granted them for obtaining a Probat ? in one form they having with Swan Pritchard and Howell Whittington their Securities entered into and acknowledge Bond in the penalty of two hundred and fifty pounds with condition according to Law. Test N. Edwards Jr DC? Several questions arise about these two wills? The wills were both filed on 23 June 1766 but written in different years - does this imply a common cause of death? Was it related to the Revolutionary War? John Denton was left all the land in Lucy's will. Was he their son-in-law? Possibly married to Isabel Denton who witnessed her will? All the Whittington people named in her will are siblings it seems - children of William and Mary who had wills in 1750 & 1756 in Brunswick. I wonder if Lucy is another daughter of theirs or somehow closely related to them. Which Oliver family does John belong to? His will mentions brothers Isaac and James. His wife mentions Isaac Oliver, son of James. Any information about this family's connection to others would be much appreciated. Cordially, Sheila Schmutz Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.