At a Court held for the County of Southampton on Thursday the 14th of December 1749. This Will was proved by the Oath of James Cary a Witnesses therto and Ordered to be Recorded R Kello Clk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [In the left margin] John Simmons In the name of God Amen I John Simmons of the Isle of Wight County Gentleman knowing the ________ Uncertainty of Human Life and being of Sound and disposing Mind and Memory Do make and Ordain this my Last Will & Testament in manner & form as followeth to wit, Imprimis I Commit my Soul to God gave it Trusting and surely hoping for Eternal Salvation through the merits of Mediation of Jesus Christ my Savior And for my Body I desire it may have such Christian burial as my Executor hereafter named shall think proper And for the Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels as well Slaves as others which I am at present owner of I give Devise & Bequeath them as followeth Item my will and desire is that my Water Nill Cupunkra Swamp hundred acres of land are bought of Henry Clark and seventy five Acres bought of John Newton and also two hundred eighty Acres of land granted me by Patent bearing Date the twenty eighth Day of June one thousand seven hundred thirty one be all sold by my Executors for and towards the payment of my Debts Item I give & bequeath unto my Loving and Beloved Wife Mary Simmons the Use and Property of the Plantation whereon I now live during her Life all other things being before provided for her by Deed of Trust to Charles Simmons bearing date the twenty eighth Day of April One Thousand seven hundred & forty & then acknowledged and recorded I also give her a Mourning Ring Item I give and bequeath to my son William Simmons and his Heirs forever all my Land lying in Surry County and a mourning ring. Item I give amd bequeath unto my Son Benjamin Simmons and to his Heirs forever a Yract of land Containing three hundred and ninety acres bought of the ~ Nottoway Indians and ajoining unto his own Lands Item I do give and Devise onto my Son Charles Simmons and his Heirs forever all the Remainder of my Survey in Low Grounds Not already sold to Charles Brown and John Arrington and And also the land I now live on containing One hundred and --- eighty Acres being part of William Cocks Patent Item I give and Devise unto my Daughter Ann Ruffin and to her Heirs forever A Negro Girl named Patt and all her Increase which was lent her by my Wife and is now in her possession as also her Husband Edmund Ruffin a Mouring Ring Item my will & desire desire is that my Executors do immediately after my Wife's Death deliver the chaise and chaise horses into the Possession of my Daughter Lucy Ruffin and her Heirs forever and also to her husband Benjamin Ruffin I give a Mourning Ring Item I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth Jones my White Horse which I had of Wm Pheasant and also to her Husband Elberton Jones a Mouring Ring Item I give to my Son Henry Simmons my best Great Coat And my desire is the Rest of my wearing Apparel may be equally divided by Charles Simmons between --- Henry & Benjamin Simmons. Item my Will & Desire that all my Negroes Horses Cattle & Hoggs that are not before disposed of be Sold by my Executors and and Converted toward the payment of my Debts and if any Remainder desire it may be equally divided between my Executors hereafter named Lastly I appoint & nominate & Constitute my two Sons --- Benjamin Simmons & Charles Simmons my joint & full Execuyrs of this my last Will and Testament Hereby revoking disannulling & making void all former and other Wills whatever In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand % Seal this 25th day of June Anno Domini 1746. Signed Sealed Published & Pronounced in Presence of Robt S Woobank Peter Butts J Simmons Howell Edmonds William Little At a Court held for the County of Southampton on 14th Day of December 1749 This writing purporting the Last Will and Testament of John Simmons dec'ed was proved by the Oaths of Howell Edmonds & Peter Butts two of the witnesses therto and Ordered to be --- Recorded Test r Kello Clk