Will of Joshua Claud - 1773
Will:In the name of God amen, I Joshua Claud of the county of Southampton and Parish of St. Luke being weak of body but of sound and disposing mind and memory thou betok (?) Almighty God for the same do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament. First and principally I give my soul unto the hands of almighty God who gave it to me and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned.
Imprimis. After my funeral expenses are defrayed and my just debts are paid I dispose of my worldly goods (with more) and personal which it hath pleased almighty God of his infinite mercy and goodness to bestow on me in manner and form all owing deserving true intent and meaning to be executed viz.
ItemI give and bequeath to my son John Claud my Maned plantation together with part of my land adjoining the same bounded as follows beginning at a live oak acorn tree standing on the south prong of Dumms branch thence down the run of the said branch to the fork then up to the run of Hogpen Branch to the head there of then running astraid course across the old line of marked trees containing by estimation three hundred and fifty acres be the same more or less provided he the said John lives to have lawfull issue if so to him the said John and his heirs forever but if my son John departs this life without lawful issue then I give the aforesaid land to my son William Claud and to his heirs forever. Also I give to my said son John Claud my negro man called Toby and my negro woman Venus my negros Ben and Lucy and my Negro girl called Patience the daughter of Jan to him the said John and to his heirs forever.
I likewise give him one feather bed and furniture to his choice, 4 pewter dishes and 1/2 dozen ditto plates, one horse briddle and saddle which is now called his, 4 cows with each of them a calf, 2 breeding sows with pigs or shatis, one iron pot to his choice and one frying.
Item I give and bequeath to my son William Claud the negro Robbin and Dinah which he has now in his possession and my Negro boy called Joe and my skill and its appurtenances Likewise I give to my said son William Claud all my lands lying on the east side of the Flag Pen Branch containing as is estimated two hundredand forty five acres be the same more or less to him the said William and to his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Joshua Claud my Negroes Jeffrey and Pegg which he now has in his possession and my Negro boy called Harry (alias Bugg), likewise all my lands on or near about Harrison Branch containing as estimated Three hundred and sixty eight acres be the same more or less which said land I give to him and his heirs forever provided he lives to have lawfull issue but provided he does not live to have lawfull issue then I give and bequeath the said lands to my son John and to his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Phoeb Lundy the Negroes which has been in her and her husbands possession some time Patience and Nan the former increase of them is in the possession of my said daughter and her husband together with their future increase to her the said Phoeb and to her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Mundy the Negro woman now in her possession called Magg together with all her former and future increase to her the said Elizabeth and to her heirs forever. Likewise 2 cows and with each a calf.
Item This is to satisfy whom it may concern that I did some years ago give to my daughter Mary Williamson one negro woman which she has had ever since in her possession called Judith.
Item I give to my daughter Lidia Clifton Five pounds Virginia currency.
Item I give to each of my grandchildren being sons and daughters of John Cliftonand my said daughter Lidia Clifton five pounds cash the said cash to be deposited in the hands of my executors hereafter mentioned and to be delivered to each of my said grandchildren when they arrive to the age of the boys twenty one and the girls eighteen years.
Item I give and bequeath to my grandson Joshua Claud son of my son Phillip deceased a negro woman called Janny together with the future increase to him the said Joshua and to his heirs.
Item I give to all my grandchildren, except the children of my daughter Lydia Clifton, who has already had a legacy in this will of 5 pounds each and still is to be regarded agreeable to the terms of the said bequest , lawfully begotten of and by sons and daughters whether living or departed this life the sum of five pounds cash each which said money I desire to be deposited in the hands of my executors until my grandchildren is of the age each of them of the boys twenty one years and the girls eighteen years.
Item the meaning of the aforementioned bequest to all my grandchildren, a legacy of 5 pounds is all the lawfull begotten grandchildren of mine which shall be living or born at the hour I shall depart this life.
Item My will and desire is that all the remainder of my estate in whatsoever manner it byeth or be found (that is to say all my personal estate and Negroes which is not already bequeathed or given) may be sold to the highest bidder.
Item I do constitute and appoint my sons William and John Claud and my friend Joshua Nicholson, my executor of this my last will and testament ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this sixteenth day of October 1773Joshua Claud
On Aug.25,1731, Joshua Claud in Isle of Wight County,Va. received 335 acres north of the Meherrin River and on both sides of Herbert's Branch, a corner of Thomas Harris' land formerly granted to Harry Floyd.