| IN THE NAME OF GOD amen I Rice Cookman
of Northumberland County and Parish of St. Stephens being very sick and
low in body but of perfect sences [sic] and sound memory thanks be to God
for it and calling to mind the instability of war and knowing that it is
appointed for all men once to die do make and [obtain] this my last Will
and Testament, first I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body
to the dust from whence it came to be buried in a deserved manner at the
descression [sic] of my Executor hereafter named, and as it hath pleased
God to possess me with a small portion of this worldly goods I desire to
give and dispose to them in manner [---] as follows. Items I give
and bequeath unto my loving wife Hannah Cookman all of my estate of whatsoever
kind it may be during her natural life or widowhood but at her death or
marriage to be divided as follows. Items I give and bequeath unto
my son William Cookman: one Negro woman and her child Charles and her future
increase to him and his heirs forever. Items I give and bequeath
unto my son Solomon Cookman [---] to him and heirs forever. Items
I give unto my son George Cookman all my lands wheresoever they be to him
and his heirs forever. Items I give and bequeath unto my son Ezekiel
Cookman one negroe boy Harry to him and his heirs forever. Item I
give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Vanlaudingham one negroe girl
Milly and her increase to her and her heirs forever. Item I give
and bequeath unto my daughter Anna Cookman one negroe boy Ned and negroe
woman Lucy and her future increase to her and her heirs forever.
Items it is my will and desire that my negroe girl Rachell be sold and
the money arising from the sale thereof be equally divided among my following
children [--], William, Solomon, George, Ezekiel, Elizabeth Vanlaudingham,
Hannah and Anna Cookman and their heirs forever. It is my will and
desire that all my estate not before mentioned be equally divided among
all my children [--] , Solomon Cookman, George Cookman, Ezekiel Cookman,
William Cookman, Sally Hughes, Elisabeth Vanlaudingham, Hannah Cookman,
and Anna Cookman and their heirs forever. Lastly I ---inate my loving
wife Hannah Cookman and my trusty friends John Dawson Jr. and Samuel Cralls
E--- and E--- to this my last will and Testament, in witness whereof I
have hereto set my hand and seal this twenty-eighth duly of July, one thousand
seven hundred and ninety-four.
his
Rice Cookman {seal}
mark
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in presence of
Richard Gruistead [?]
LeRoy Luttrells
Parker Beauchamp
At a Court ~~ of monthly session held for Northumberland County at the
Courthouse on Monday the 8th of December 1794.
This last Will and Testament of Rice Cookman deceased was this day
preserved in open Court by the oathe of Richard Gruistead [?], LeRoy Luttrell
and Parker Beauchamp the witnesses thereto, and is ordered to be recorded.
Teste' Catesby Jones {mark}
Teste' Tho. Pollard {mark}
June 8th, 1795 The Executors relinquished their
right of Executorship, and administration with
the Will annexed granted George Cookman. Truly
recorded. |
