Will of William Arrington, Isle of Wight County, Virginia,
The Great Book, volume 2, 1715 – 1726, page 69:
In the name of god Amen, I William Arrington, being very sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to Almighty God hoping through the merits, death and passion of my saviour Jesus Christ to have free pardon of all my sins and inherit everlasting life, and my body I commit to the ground to be buried decently by me executors hereafter named.
Item. I give unto my loving som Arthur Arrington the plantation whereon I now live and all the land belonging to the said plantation being two hundred forty acres to him my said son and to his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever, and if my said son should die having no such issue, the said land and plantation to return to my son William
Arrington and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever.
Imprimis: I give unto my loving son John Arrington the plantation whereon he now lives and the one half of the land belonging to it, and after my said son John’s decease, I give the said land and plantation unto my grandson William
Arrington and to his heirs forever. I give unto my son John forty shillings current money.
Imprimis: I give unto my loving son Benjamin Arrington the other remaining half of the said tract, dividend or parcel of land which is joining to my son John’s, to him my said son and his heirs forever, his brother John helping him to clear six thousand cow hills on the said land and to assist him to build a dwelling house twenty-five feet long and sixteen feet wide.
I give unto my daughter Mary Sykes two ewes and lambs and one cow and calf.
I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Crumpler one cow.
Item. I give unto my daughter Sarah Riggan one cow.
Imprimis: I give unto my daughter Ann Arrington six head of cattle, three of the said cattle being already under her mash. I give to my said daughter Ann one new feather bed with all the furniture thereunto belonging, two pewter dishes, one dozen of pewter spoons and a chest and one young mare.
Item. I give unto my granddaughter Ann Riggan one cow and calf, two pewter dishes, one basin.
Imprimis: I give unto my son Benjamin Arrington two cows and calves and two heifers of two year old, one horse that is called his, one feather bed and furniture now belonging to it which he lies on himself.
Item. I give unto my son Arthur one feather bed and furniture belonging to it, two cows and calves, two heifers of two year and a horse or mare, when he comes to the age of sixteen years.
And all the rest of my estate I give unto my dear and loving wife Elizabeth Arrington during her natural life or widowhood, and that my negro John labour and be unto my wife during her natural life or widowhood and at her death or marriage to be delivered to my son Benjamin Arrington, and also at her death or marriage all the rest of my estate be equally divided amongst all my children.
Upon second thought, I give and bequeath unto my son William Arrington my horse, arms, and rapier, a cow and five pounds current money.
I do appoint my loving wife Elizabeth Arrington and two of my sons John and Benjamin my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament, revoking and making void all other wills heretofore made by me.
In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal to this my last will and testament being contained in half a sheet of paper this 4 th day of May, 1725 .
William Arrington (Seal)
Signed, sealed and delivered
In presence:
James Cooper
John Dunkley
Executed and truly recorded
Test: James Jagles (?), Cl. Cur.
Provided by: Dorothy Butler Truitt