In the name of God, Amen. I, William Norwood of the parifh of Southwarke in the county of Surry being of perfect mind and memory (thanks be to God for the same) and being willing to settle my affairs in this world do make this my Last Will and Testament in Manner and form following utterly revoking all other wills by me made either by word or writing any case thereunto the contrary notwithstanding.
Imprimis. I bequeath
my soul to God Almighty my maker and my body to the earth from whence it
came to be buried in such decent and Christian manner as my executors shall
think fit and convenient and touching such Temporall Estate as the Lord
(far above my desserts) hath been pleased to bestow upon me, and I do order,
give, bequeath and dispose of the same in manner and form following:
Item:
I give to my Son Edward Norwood one shilling sterling money to be paid
by my executors hereafter named.
Item:
I give and bequeath unto my Son George Norwood and to his heirs forever
my now dwelling house and one hundred acres of Land therewith belonging.
I likewise give unto my said Son George the parcel of hogs and the horse
that he commonly called his and one negro woman called Moll and her increases
forever, if the said George will comply with my request to my daughter
Sarah Norwood and not else.
Item: I
give and bequeath unto my Son Richard Norwood and to his heirs forever
a neck of landcommonly called and known by the name ofthe barren Neck with
eighty acres of land to be separated from my other Land by a line of marked
trees tobe run by Mr. Walter and Mr. Thomas Flood. I likewise give
unto my Son Richard Norwood a young mare that is commonly called his and
her increase forever. I also give unto my said Son one negro woman
named Doll and her Increase forever, if he thesaid Richard will comply
with my bequest tomy Daughter Sarah Norwood and not else.
Item:
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Branch one large pewter
dish.
Item:
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lydia Sowerby one large pewter dish
and one flat-handled silver spoon.
Item:
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Norwood the first child thateither
of my negro women shall bring to be delivered to her at the age of two
years old and if neither of them lives to be two years old then the first
that doth live to that age. I likewise give unto my said daughter
Sarah a small silver cup that is now in the house and a silver spoon only
I depose that her Mother may have the use of them during her natural life.
I also give to my said daughter Sarah my old mare Tripitty and her increase
forever.
Item:
I give unto my grand-daughter Elizabeth Branch one silver spoon which she
now hath in her Possession.
Item:
Igive and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Norwood a negro boy named Tom
and one silver spoon and one white mare filly and her increase forever.
And further
it is my desire and intent notwithstanding all the above bequests that
my dear wife Lydia is to have the use and benefit of all my negros during
her life and that all other of my Estate not already disposed of be Equally
divided between my wife and fourchildren, viz, George, Richard, Sarah and
Mary Norwood and lastly I appoint my Son George executor with my dear loving
wife executrix to this my Last Will and Testament in witness of the premise.
I have
hereunto affixed my hand and seal the sixth day of June Anno Domini 1702.
William Norwood (Seal)
Signed Sealed in the
presence of us
John Shelton
Walter Flood
At a court held at Southwarkd for the County of Surry 7 Mar 1703, the above will of William Norwood proved by the oaths of witnesses was ordered to be recorded
(Surry County Va Will Book 2, page 301)