Last Will and Testament of Robert Watson, Sr.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN These presents Witneseth that I Robert Watson Snr of Occobaneck in the
County of Accomack being weak of body but in perfect sence and memory make and ordaine this my Last Will
and Testament in form and manner following.
First I bequeath my soul unto Almighty God who formed it, trusting that through the merits of my blessed
saviour Christ Jesus to Enjoy everlasting life with him in his heavenly Kingdome, Also I bequeath my body to
the earth to be decently & Christianly buried by my named hereafter Executris and for the worldly Estate that it
hath pleased the Lord to endue me with I give and bequeath in manner and form following.
Imprimis: I give and bequest unto my son Robert halfe this Devidend of Land being four hundred Acres the
part that I now live upon with all Orchards housing and fencing there unto belonging to him and his heirs for
Ever.
Item: I give unto my Son David the other halfe of the same dividend with all the Orchards housing and fencing
thereunto belonging to him and his heirs for Ever.
Item: I give and bequest unto my Son in Law Samuell Benston and Joanna his Wife, two hundred Acres of
land lying on the other side of the Cross branch or Pratts branch commonly so called to them and their heirs for
Ever.
Item: I give unto my Grandson John Benston one hundred Acres of Land belonging unto the Devidend given
unto his father Samuel Benston and Mother Joana to him and his heirs for Ever.
Item: I give my still and what belongs to it to my son Robert and my son David equally to be devided between
them.
Item: I give and bequeath all my tooles to be equally devided between my son Robert and my son David.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Robert one pair of silver shoe buckles and one pair of Codpis buttons
the buckles marked with IE the buttons marked with IC.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Robert my black coat.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son David my new Mill Stones and Iron work thereunto belonging.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son David one paire of shoe buckles and a pair of silver buttons.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son David the gun that he now hath in possession.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Joseph Wattson the son of Peter Wattson the gun that was
called his fathers.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son in Law Samuel Benston the choice of the Guns that I have left except
the field Gun and also I give unto him ye said Samuel Benston a paire of cotton gloves and stockens.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my Grand Son John Bonwell my pistols and holsters and back Sword.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Joanna my Silver Tobacco box.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my Son David and my brother Peter all my wearing cloaths equally to be
devided betwixt them.\
Item: All the rest of my Estate I give and bequeath unto my Wife during her life and after her desease to be
equally devided amongst my four daughters vis Mary Hughbanck, Susanna Stott, Sarah Kellam and Joanna
Benston Except one feather bed and furniture which I bequeath unto my son David.
Item: My will and desire is that my Son in Law Henery Stott should have my negro Pester in his share.
Item: I nominate institute and appoynt my Lawfull wife to be whole and soale executrix of this my last will
Testament.
Item: My desire is that my Son Robert shall see to the performance of this my last Will and Testament.
Item: My desire is that immediately after my desease my son Robert causes an enventory to be taken of my
Estate.
And in performance of this my last Will and Testament I have hereunto set my hand and affixt my seale this
twenty fourth day of July One Thousand Seaven hundred and two.
ye seale
Testes John Watson
Robert Watson
======
the mark of
_______
francis X Darby
Jno Procter
Francis Darbie and John Watson saith that being at the plantation of Robert Watson deceased were called into
the house and the said Watson tould us he had us Called to be witness to his Will ye sd Darbie made answer I
can neither writ nor read the sd Watson answered set your marke for I think this will be the last Will that I shall
make, whereupon I did set my mark to it I John Watson did writ my name; we both having heard the will read,
but did neither see it sealed nor signed by the sd Robert Watson and the said Darbie and Watson asked whether
the will was sealed when they did witness it, they both made answer to the best of their knowledge they saw no
seale on it, bot when we had witnessed it he the sd Watson gave the Will to his wife saying heir Susan Lay it Up
for I think this will be the Last Will that I shall make.
signum
Francis X Darbie
John Watson
These Deposicons sworn in open Court of
Accomack County June ye 2d 1703 by the subscribers
Teste Jno Washbourne Cl Cur
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e
Recorded June y
( Com Accomack
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9 1703 p me
Jn Washbourne Cl Cur
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SOURCE:
FHL Film 30011, Wills Parts 2-3 1702-1715, Accomack Co., VA, pages 29-30; Wills and
Administrations – Nottingham, page 34.