Last Will & Testament of
Robert Wooding

Line of descent: Robert, Martha, Mary Chappell, Margaret Ashford, Mary Dollar, Lillie Mae Smith, Kenneth Morgan

In the name of God Amen. I, Robert Wooding, of the County of Halifax and Parish of Antrim, being of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament. That is to say, I lend to my son-in-law James Taylor and Mary, his wife, for and during their natural lives and no longer, my five negro slaves, to with, Cyrus, sam, Sylvia, Phillis and Jenny. also that piece or parcel of land whereon they now live, Bounded as followeth, beginning where John Hill's lower line crosseth the dry fork of Wynn's Creek, thence on his said line to Elizabeth Hill's corner pointers, thence on her crossing, a bottom to or near the top of the hill-opposite to a stony nole, thence by a new line to be run due south to the afforesaid dry fork; thence up the same as it meanders to the beginning, inluding the Plantation H----?. It is also my will that after the death of him, the said James Taylor and Mary his wife the above mentioned land and slaves and their future increase shall decend to all their children then living, to them and their several heirs and assigns forever. Item, I give to my son-in-law James Chappel and Martha his wife, my two negroes, Fanny and Oliver, to them and their heirs and assigns forever. Item. I lend to my loving friend, Elizabeth Hill, for and during the term of her natural life, my two negroe slaves Tom and Martin, also my flock of sheep, my oxcart and gear, and a pair of young steers. And after her death, I give the said Tom and Martin to her daughter Frances Hill, amd her heirs and assigns forever. I also give the said Frances Hill, my negro lad Frank, and one feather bed and furniture, to be delivered when she comes of lawful age or marriage. Item. I give to Thomas Hill, illigitimate son of the above mentioned Elizabeth Hill, and his heirs and assigns forever my whole estate, both real and personal situated in the County of Pittsylvannia, the whole of which is now in his possession. I also give to the said Thomas Hill, all my books, surveying instruments, spy glass, desk and paper case, for the sole purpose of keeping my old books and papers as they are now deposited. Item. I lend to my loving brother, John Wooding, during his natural life, my negro by name Charles, and after the death of him, the John Wooding, I give the said Charles to his son, Robert Wooding, and his heirs and assigns forever. I also give to my brother, my great coat, saddle and bridle. Item. I give to Benjamin Rogers, who married Nanny Hill, daughter of the above mentioned Elizabeth Hill, my five slaves, to wit, Peter, Siller, and her three children, George, Sam, and Sarah with their future increase. Also one hundred acres of land, part of my home tract in Halifax County, to begin at my own and Burges corner on a branch of Terible Creek, thence on Burges line crossing the Court House Road to Lacey's line thence on Chapman's line to a branch, thence up the same as it meanders, thence by a new line to be run for quantity to Robert's line thence on his and George Andington's lines crossing the Court House Road to the beginning. I also give to the said Benjamin Rogers, six silver tablespoons and one silver ladle not to be delivered until after the death of Mrs. Hill, who is to have the use of them during her life, to him and his heirs and assigns forever. I also give said Benjamin Rogers a debt due to me from him as may appear on my books. Item. I give to John Hill, son of the above mentioned Elizabeth Hill and to his heirs and assigns forever one piece or parcel of land containing by estimation, seventy five acres [more or less] situate on the South side of Banister River in the County of Halifax, it being the same he now lives on. also my tow slaves to wit, George and Tener, both of which are now in his possession. Also my smooth boured gun. Item. I give to Peterfield Kent, who married Elizabeth Hill, the younger daughter of the above mentioned Elizabeth Hill, for and during the natural life of him the said Peterfield Kent and Elizabeth his wife, my four slaves, to wit, Pollydora, Moll, Queen Mary and Abraham and after their death, it is my will and I do hereby give the above named slaves to the children of him the said Peterfield Kent born of the said Elizabeth, his wife with their future increase, to them and their several heirs and assigns forever. I give to the said Peterfield Kent, a debt due from him to me as by books will morefully appear. Item. I do hereby set free and fully emancipate my good and faithful slave, Lucy, in as full and ample a manner as if she had been free born, and it is my will that she shall be well fed and cloathed during the remainder of her life, by and at the expence of the several legatees of this my will, with who it is my desire that she may live by rotation as otherwise, as the said Lucy may think fit. Item. It is also my will and hereby order the remaining part of my estate both real and personal to be sold, either by private or publick sale including my mantion [mansion] house and the land contiguous [continuous connection] thereto containing about six hundred acres more or less. Also my tract of two hundred and eighty six acres of land near the mouth of Difficult Creek, joining the lines of Cobb's and Wade, called Nowlin, and the money ariseing from such sale together with the mondy now owing to me, to be applyed in the following manner. That is to say, first in discharge of all my just and lawful debts and of the ballance remaining, I give to my niece, Catherine Wooding, fifty pounds, and to my niece Sophia Wooding, fifty pounds each, to be lodged in the hands of my Executor in trust till they arrive of lawful age or marriage, and the ballance if any, I give to the children of my son-in-law James Chappel and Martha, his wife to be by the said Chappel applyed towards the purchas of lands on the western waters fot the emolument [earnings] of his children respectively, their respective heirs and assigns forever. Item. It is also my will and I do hereby declare the same, that if either or any of the above legatees shall at any time declare themselves dissatified with their respective legacies or presume to bring suits or by any otherways perplex the other legatees that then in that case their respective legacies shall become null and void to all intents and purposes, as if the same had never been given as above, and in lieu thereof, I give him or them so dissatisfied, one shilling sterling and no more, and their respective legacies by me given as above, shall be equally divided among the legatees who may be satisfied with the distribution of my said estate. Lastly. I do hereby constitute and appoing my natural son, the said Thomas Hill, herein mentioned, the sole Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I , the said Robert Wooding, have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal, this fourteenth day of May in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred and ninety six. Ro. Wooding L.S. Signed, sealed published and pronounced by the said Robert Wooding to be his last will and testament in the presence of us John Stanley Moses Roberts Thomas ("X" his mark) Roberts The will is recorded in Halifax County, Virginia. Original copy courtesy of Pam Brautigam & Teddie Carter. Transcription by Teddie Sue Carter.