I thought perhaps the will of John Vick Jr. (grandson of Joseph Vick) might be of interest to this group. WILL OF JOHN VICK, JR. (~1700-1789) IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN, I, John Vick of Brunswick County and Meherrin Parrish being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and disposing memory, bless God, for his Mercy do make and ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament, IMPRIMIS, I give and bequeath unto my Son Howell Vick One hundred and twenty five acres of Land lying on Beaver Pond Creek, joining Captain Littleberry Robinson and George Collier's lines and to come up to what is called the Rocks, for a dividing line, between the Land on which I reside and that I cut off for him, ALSO one Negro man James, also my cross-cut saw, to him and his heirs ferever. ITEM I give and bequeath unto my son John Vick the remainder of my whole lands, only he shall find a Home for as many of my Daughters as choose, as long as they live single and ground to tend, also my still, and one large Iron pot, to him and his heirs forever. I also lend to him my Negro boy named Sharper during his life, and after his Decease my Will is that he be sold, and equally divided amongst all the Children of my said Son, lawfully begotten unto them and each of their heirs forever. ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Henrietta Vick, one Negro woman named Jenny, also one feather bed and furniture, to her and her heirs forever. ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Vick, one Negro girl named Dorcas, to her and her heirs forever. ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Clark thirty five pounds current money to her and her heirs forever. ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Edith Vick one Negro girl named Hannah also one feather bed and furniture, to her and her heirs forever (the bed called hers). ITEM I give and bequeath unto my daughter Katy Woodruff one Negro girl named Dolley to her and her heirs forever. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Vick one Negro boy named Tim. (Also my bed I generally lie on), and furniture, to her and her heirs foreyer. ITEM It is my will and desire all my Estate not heretofore given away be sold and the money arising from such sale be equally divided between my six daughters, Henrietta, Sarah, Edith, Katy, Ann, and Mary to them and to each of their heirs forever. But if either of my aforenamed daughters should die leaving no heir, of her own body lawfully begotten then my Will is the part of the deceased be equally divided amongst my surviving daughters to them and to each of their heirs forever. ITEM My will and desire is that my Estate be not appraised. ITEM I do nominate and appoint my sons, Howell and John Vick, whole and sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, revoking all others by me heretofore made, being null and void. IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this nineteenth day of February One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven. John Vick (LS) Signed, Sealed and Published and Delivered in the presence of Nathan Johnson John vick Hoses Johnson, Junior At a Court held for Greensville County the 24th day of December, 1789. This Will as proved by the oaths of Nathan Johnson and Hoses Johnson, Junior. Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of John Vick one of the executors therein named who made oath thereto, and together with Person Williamson and Nathaniel Woodruff his Securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the Penalty of fifteen hundred pounds. Conditioned as the Law directs. Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, Liberty being reserved for the other. Executor therein named to qualify when he may think fit. Exd. Teste P. Pelham CC C A COPY TESTE: Robert C. Wren, Clerk by Mary D. Lee, D.C. Recorded in Will Book 1 at page 149 in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of Greeneville County, Virginia. Some of my own conclusions. The aforementioned Still was very likely a whiskey still. It was quite legal for people to make and sell whiskey at this time. By distilling whiskey from surplus corn, a plantation owner would have a product that would keep for long periods of time, be compact and easily stored, plus have a ready market. At the time of this will, steel was a scarce and valuabe item, hence the special note about the Cross Cut Saw. The US retained the English monetary system for some years after the revolution, so money was pounds. The original was hand-written and some question was created about the hand written date of the will. Additional documentation from the Circuit Court of Greenville County, dated April 11, 1983 confirms the Clerk Robert C. Wren's written notation and date of service, confirming the date of the will. We also know that John Vick acted as a constable in the county, since there is mention that he is exempt from '... payment of levies..' during his service. Ronald Vick