1450552

Will of Lancaster Lovett: Wills & Deeds E, p.283-285, Reel 45 -

In the name of God Amen, I Lancaster Lovett of Linhaven, Lower Norfolk County, Va., being in good health and sound of mind and memory blessed be God, but knowing the certainty of death and the time thereof most uncertain and being willing to settle my estate which God hath been pleased to bestow upon me do make this my Last Will & Testament in manner and form following:

Item: When it shall please God to call me out of this troublesome and transitory life, I bequeath my soul to Christ my Saviour & Redeemer by the merits of whose death and resurrection I hope to receive redemption for all my sins and my body to be decently interred according to the manner and custom of the Church of England and all my worldly goods as followeth: Viz: My will and desire is that in the first place all my just debts be paid whether due by bills bonds or otherwise.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my sonne Lancaster Lovett 300 acres of land being the plantation whereon I now live from the land point to the lyne of marked trees west to the land of Richard Poole and so from the creek south(?) into the woods to containe the above said quantity. My loveing wife, Ann Lovett, to enjoy the one half of the 300 acres both cleare ground, orchard, woodland and hauling equally for and during her natural life and after the whole 300 acres to my said sone Lancaster Lovett and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my sonne Jno Lovett 300 acres of land now adjoyning to my son Lancaster to take the same course from the dam side near the land of John Martin, deceased, to the same line near Richard Pooles and so into the woods from my son Lancaster's line to containe 300 acres to him my son John Lovett and to his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my sonne Thomas Lovett 200 acres of land west joining my son Jno Lovett's part and so to extend to a line of mared trees from the line west of Rich. Pool'es to the dam next to Martin's land, running NE & part of my 800 acres of land from 400 acres belonging to Malathy Thurston, the said 200 acres to belong to my said son Thomas Lovett and to his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Randolph Lovett 300 acres of land lying and being at Linhaven between the land now in possession of George _____ & Richard ____ to my said son Randolph and to his Hyers forever, butt in case either of my said sons shall happent to die under age or without issue my will is that his or their part of the land herein given to them shall descend to the next brother in age to the deceased or in case there be none younger then to ascend to the next of age above him to them or either of them and their hyers forever, to them as long as there is either one of my sons living, no part of any of my said land to fall to either of my daughters of whatsoever form they be.

Item: I give and bequeath all my flock of cattle with their increase at the Eastern Shore which now are at and use the plantation which Thomas Lambert now lives on or what of them shall be living at my decease unto my two daughters Mary and Elizabeth Lovett to be equally divided between them and to be their full portion of cattle.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Randolph Lovett all my flock of cattle that are at and use the plantation of Benj. Burrows with their increase or what of them shall be remaining at my decease to be his full portion of cattle.

Item: I give and bequeath the rest of my cattle that use at home or elsewhere excepting those before given one third to my loveing wife Ann Lovett and the other two thirds to be equally divided between my three sons Lancaster, and is their full portion of cattle.

Item: I give and bequeath all the rest of my estate whatsoever of what kind nature or quality one third part thereof to my loving wife Ann Lovett and the other two thirds part to be equally divided amongst my children herein named and to be and remain in possession of my loveing wife Ann Lovett and my son Lancaster Lovett whom I hereby nominate and appoint my sole and joint executors until the rest of my aforesaid children shall be at age or day of marriage which shall first happen.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Bathsheba my daughter, now wife to Jon Ladd, 1000 pounds of tobacco to be paid by my said Executors out of such of my ______ as she my said daughter shall make choice of which shall be due unto me at my decease which is to be her full part and portion of my estate. This being my will and desire as in herein considered _______ In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17 October 1672.

Signed & sealed in the presence of : Lancaster Lovett & Scale
Thomas Bridge, Adam Keeling, Mala Thurston
Proven in Court by the oath of Mr. Mala Thurston 15 April 1673

Postscript:
I Lancaster Lovett having taken into my serious consideration of my wife's weak condition in bringing up so many young children as I leave _____ any payment, notwithstand any claim or claims in the __ or hereafter my come, I therefore do freely and voluntarily give her all the linen & woolen made and unmade that I do possess with all ______; my new gray living coat and chef coat and britches I give unto my son Lancaster Lovett and further I desire that my wife may not be called to an account for what I do now give unto her for the bringing up of my children and to dispose of it amongst them as she thinks fit thereafter. The which things I desire not to be appraised nor be called to an account in the least as concerning them. This being the last part of my will I desire to be fulfilled, given under my hand and seal this 19 day of March 1673.

Wit: Rich. Poole, Jno. Corbit Lancaster Lovett & Scale
Proven in Court 15 April 1583. Teste: Wm Gorden, ClChr.

Postscript:
The deposition of Thomas Bridge, aged 57 years or thereabouts, sworn said that all the writing on the other half of this sheet of paper whereunto this deponents name is sett was signed and sealed by Lancaster Lovett in the presence of this deponent as his Last Will & Testament and further the deponet sayeth not.
Sworn the ___May 1673 by me. Mala Thurston