WILL OF GEORGE TANKERSLEY
In the name of God amen. I, George Tankersley, of the Parish of Hanover and the County of King George, being sick and
weak of body, but of perfect sense and memory, do make and ordain this to be my last will and Testament, in manner
following:
Impremis. I give and devise all my estate of what sort so ever to be equally divided amongst my children, viz.: Dorcas, Reuben,
Mary, Sarah, Richard and John. But if any of my children should die, then it is my will and desire that their part should be
divided among my children that shall then survive.
Item. I give my beloved wife Mary Tankersley one-third of all my negroes and personal estate.
Item. It is my will that after the decease of my wife, that the said negroes be equally (divided) among my children that shall be
living.
Item. I give my chaise and horses to my wife.
Item. It is my will and desire that after my estate is appraised that it may not be sold but be equally divided among my children,
by my executors.
Lastly, I constitute and appoint William Fox, Reuben Tankersley, George Tankersley and my beloved wife, Mary Tankersley,
executors and executrix of this my last will and testament, revoking all other wills by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this first day of July, one thousand seven hundred and
fifty-eight.
George Tankersley (seal)
Signed, sealed and published in the presence of: Robert Johnson (his mark), Lewis Jones (his mark)
At a court held for King George County the 7th day of September, 1758.
The within will and testament of George Tankersley, deceased, was presented into court by Mary Tankersley, executrix, and
William Fox, one of the executors therein named, who made oath thereto according to law and the same was proved by the
oaths of the witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded and is hereby recorded. Test., Rob. Armistead, Clerk
Will of George Tankersley. I George Tankersley of Parish of Hanover and County of King George give and devise all my
Estate to be equally divided amongst my Children, vizt. Dorcas, Reuben, George, Mary, Sarah, Richard and John; to my
beloved Wife, Mary Tankersley, one third part of all my Negroes and personal Estate, after the decease of my Wife the
Negroes to be equally divided amongst my children, after my Estate is appraised that it may not be sold but be equally divided
among my Children. I appoint William Fox, Reuben Tankersley, George Tankersley and my beloved Wife, Mary Tankersley,
Executors and Executrix. this 1st day of July 1758. In the presence of Robert Johnston, Lewis Jones signed George
Tankersley. At a Court held for King George County 7th September 1758 Will presented into Court and ordered to be
recorded. (Will Book A, p93)(Will Abstracts of King George Co, VA 1752-1780, edited and published by Ruth & Sam
Sparaio, the Antient Press, @1986)
WILL OF MARY TANKERSLEYB
I, Mary Tankersley, of the Parish of Hanover in the County of King George, widow, being sick and weak, but of senses and
memory as usual, do make this my last will and testament in manner following:
I commend my soul to God, the Father of Mercies, through Jesus Christ my Savior and Judge. I give to my son Reuben one
shilling sterling and no more. I give to my son George a negro wench called Venus. I give to my son John a negro boy called
Ben, and a negro girl named Lucy, also a new feather bed made up last fall with bolster, pillows, sheets, blankets and quilt
suitable, also half a dozen flag bottom chairs. I give to my daughter Dorcas a negro wench called Rachel. I give to my
grand-daughter Sarah, the child of my daughter Dorcas, a negro girl named Clarey. I give to my daughter Sarah McWilliams,
the use of a negro girl named Venus, till my grand-daughter, Mary McWilliams is of age or marries. I give the property of the
said slave Venus to my grand-daughter, Mary McWilliams and she is to take possession at either of the periods aforesaid. I
give to my grand-daughter Jane Murdock a negro boy named Bob. My intention is that all the above bequests, except that to
Sarah McWilliams, be forever. In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal, the first of May, 1773.
Item. I appoint my sons George and John executors of this my will.
Mary Tankersley (her mark)
Signed, sealed, published, and declared in the presence of: Alexander Rose, Charles Burton.
WILL OF GEORGE TANKERSLEY
I, George Tankersley, of the county of Caroline, being of sound mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament.
Item. I give unto my son, Reuben Tankersley, all my estate, both real and personal, and bind him to pay the following legacies,
to wit: To Reuben B Rose, who married my daughter Nancy two thousand dollars. One thousand dollars to be paid at
expiration of one year from the date of my death, and one thousand at the expiration of two years. And to my daughter, Dolly
Tankersley, a legacy of the same amount, and to be discharged by the like payments. And I do further will that my son Reuben
give to my daughter Dolly a negro boy named Jefferson. It is my will and desire that my son Reuben raise, take care of and
well educate my grandson, Benjamin Franklin Tankersley. And that when he arrives at the age of twenty-one years that my
said son Reuben pay unto him one thousand dollars, provided that my said grandson Benjamin Franklin Tankersley so soon as
he is twenty-one years old confirms the title of parcel or tract of land laterly sold to a certain George Robinson, of this county
and which land was formerly the property of my son, Nathaniel Tankersley, who was the father of my said grandson Benjamin
Franklin Tankersley, which said land is about to be conveyed to the said George Robinson by my said son Reuben and
contains about 128 acres. And I do appoint my son Reuben Tankersley executor to this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this sixth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and
fourteen.
George Tankersley (seal)
John Halloway, Robert G Halloway, John Holloway, Jr.
