Will of Nicholas Perkins


This will is recorded on page 185 of Henrico Records (Deeds and Wills), 1710-1714

In the Name of God Amen. I, Nicholas Perkins, being sick and weak of body but of a sound mind and perfect sense and understanding thanks be to Almighty God for the same, therefore have thought fit to make, ordain and constitute this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First, I give and bequeath my soul unto the merciful hands of almighty God that gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buried according to discretion of my executor hereafter mentioned and as for the worldly goods, as it hath pleased almighty God to bestow upon, I have thought fit to bestow them as followeth.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son, Phill Perkins, all that my land between the Springey Brance and Abram Childers line, to him and his heirs forever, and my will is that he, the said Phill Perkins, do pay unto my granddaughter, Elizabeth Perkins, daughter of my son, Nicholas Perkins, five pounds of current money of Virginia in consideration of part of the said land being designed for her father whereon he once dwelt before his decease.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son, Richard Perkins, the plantation whereon I now live, to him and his heirs forever. Also, one feather bed and furniture, two breeding sows, one iron pot, one gun, one chest, and two pewter dishes.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son, Abram Perkins, that plantation which I bought of Jonathan Pledge, by estimation, one hundred acres; also that piece of land I have lying between the said plantation I bought of Jonathan Pledge and Springey Branch, by estimation fifty acres be the S......... oth which tracts I give and bequeath unto him and his heirs............one feather bed and furniture, two breeding sows, one iron pot, one gun, one chest and two pewter dishes.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Sarah Perkins, one feather bed and furniture, also two pewter dishes.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth Perkins, one feather bed and furniture, also two pewter dishes.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mary Lead, wife of Amos Lead, two ewes, one brass kettle; after my wife's decease.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son, Constantine Perkins, five shillings in current money of Virginia.

My will and pleasure is that all my cattle be equally divided between my wife, my two sons, Richard and Abram, and my daughter Elizabeth, and my will is that each of my children shall have their share when they arrive to lawful age or the day of marriage of my daughter of what cattle shall be then living.

All the rest of my personal estate I give and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife whom I make ordain, constitute and appoint my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament hearby revoking and disannulling all former wills or testaments of any kind or nature whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixet my seal this 13th day June 1711.

Signed, sealed and acknowledged as his last will in presence of Joseph Pleasants, Thomas Childers, Abraham Childers, Jr.