Fauquier County Will Book 3, page 492: In the name of God Amen. I William Withers of the county of Fauquier being sick and weak of body but of sound & perfect memory, thanks be to god for the same,do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following viz: In the first place I desire all my just debts to be paid and whatever property it hath pleased God to bless me with I desire may be disposed of in manner and form herein after mentioned. Item. I give and confirm to my son James Withers a divided or part of the tract of land in Culpepper County whereon he now lives as by a deed made him for the same and bounded as is therein mentioned, together with the one half of an adjoining tract of one hundred and nine acres to be divided by a stright [sic] line begining [sic] at a mulberry corner in the aforesaid deed made him and runing [sic] so across the said tract of one hundred and nine acres as to include the one half thereof adjoining to him the said James Withers and also the several negroes, Horses cattle, etc. and whatever else he has of mine in his possession, with their increase, to him and his Heirs forever. It is my will and desire that the remaining parts of both the aforesaid tracts of land of mine in Culpepper, as well the tract first mentioned as that of the one hundred and nine acres together with the several negroes, Horses,Cattle, Hoggs [sic] etc. of mine, remain thereon and continue there for the benefit of my son Spencer Withers and his wife during the term of their natural lives only and after their decease to be equally divided among such of their children as may then be living. Item it is my will and desire that the several negroes, Horses, cattle, and whatever else of mine now in the possession of Vincent Garner remain therein for the benefitt [sic] of my daughter Susanna during her natural life only afterward to be equally divided among such of her children as may then be living._______________ Item. I give and confirm to my daughter Molley the wife of William Withers the several negroes, Horses, Cattle & whatever else they have of mine in their possession with their increase to her and her Heirs forever______________ Item. I give and confirm to my daughter Alice, the wife of John Ball Junr the Several negroes, Horses, Cattle, and whatever else they have of mine in their possession with their increase to her and her Heirs forever. Item. I give and confirm to my daughter Agatha the wife of Martin Porter the several negroes, Horses, Cattle and whatever else they have of mine in their possession with their increase to her and her Heirs forever________________ Item. I give and confirm to my son Jessie Withers all that tract of land whereon he now lives which was willed to me by my Father together with the adjoining tract of land which I purchased of Thomas Ares on conditions of his paying to my son Elijah Withers one hundred pounds good and Lawfill [sic] money of Virginia at or within nine months after my decease together with the several negroes, Horses, Cattle and whatever else he has of mine on his possession with their increase to him and his Heirs forever. Item. I give and confirm to my son Lewis Withers the tract of land whereon I now live, which was willed to me by my Father together with the several negroes, Horses, Cattle and whatever else he may have of mine in his possession with their increase to him and his Heirs forever. Item. I give and confirm to my son Elijah Withers the tract of land which I purchased of Fishers Heirs as by their deed made to me, as also the One Hundred pounds mentioned in the bequeath to my son Jessie together with the several negroes, Horses, Cattle and whatever else he may have of mine in his possession with their Increase to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Betty Withers the daughter of William Withers my negro girl Amy to her and her Heirs forever. Item it is my will and desire that all the rest of my negroes not herein disposed of namely Dick, Dinah, Ceasor, Ned, Tamson, Willis, Elias, Jack, Agg, Adam, Floso, Bet, John, Brittain, Priss, Jam, Will, Fan, and Harry with their future increase together with all my stock of Horses, Cattle, Hoggs [sic] & Sheep and also all my House hold and Kitchen furniture with all and every other species of property of whatsoever kind it may be to be sold at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter mentioned at public auction within at least one year after my decease regarding as much as may be the Several families of negroes and more especially the two families of Brittain and Adam which are not to be separated and the money so arising together with whatever debts may be due me be collected into one general fund and to be equally divided among all my children herein named and it is my will and desire that the two shears [sic] of my son Spencer and daughter Susanna may be so detained in the hands of my Executors or so secured in property or otherwise as may appear to them most expedient to prevent the principal from being spent or so squandered as to deprieve my several Grandchildren, their sons, and Daughters from the benefitt [sic] thereof but nevertheless it is my will & desire that my said son Spencer and daughter Susanna enjoy the full profits thereof during the time of their natural lives only & afterwards to be equally divided among their several children which may then be living. It is also my desire in case any controversy should arise respecting the true construction or meaning of this or any part or word of this my last will and testament that in Such cases the parties contending shall choose three or more discreat persons who after examining their several claims may give their opinion thereon, the majority of which shall be a final determination thereof. And lastly I appoint my sons James, Jessie and Lewis executors of this my last will and testament revoking all others heretofore made by me. In Witness whereof I here- unto set my hand & seal this twenty first day of November anno Domini 1803. William Withers seal Sealed & acknowleged in presence of Enock K. Withers Matthew Withers Jennet Withers Jas. Withers At a court held for Fauquier County the 23rd day of January 1804this will was proved by the oaths of Enock K. Withers, James Withers and Matthew K. Withers witnesses thereto . . . James Withers, Jessie Withers and Lewis Withers the Executors therein named who made oath . . . and acknowledged bond in the penalty of Eight Thousand dollars . . A small quantity of tobacco