Will of Joseph Blakemore, Lee Co., VA dated 18 Jun 1802 + William and Hannah (Blakemore) Duncan probate records
In the name of God amen I Joseph Blakemore of Lee county and State of Virginia being of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God) but calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give and bequeath the same in manner following that is to say
First after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give to my derly [sic] beloved wife Anne Blakemore one third part of my estate both real and personal for and during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give the same (together with the other two thirds of my estate) to my children and some of my grand children hereafter mentioned to be divided among them in the following manner and to be enjoyed by them forever
Secondly I give to my daughter Hannah Bird one dollar current money of the United States,
Thirdly I give to my Daughter Molly Hamblen (Alias Molly Adams) one dollar current money of the United States,
Fourthly I give to my son Joseph Blakemore a negroe girl name Prue I also give to my son Joseph Blakemore Negroe Winneys three children Pheby Hannah and Harry if they are not taken out of my possession or estate by Law but if the said three negroe children Pheby Hannah and Harry should ever be proven to be the property of any other person and taken out of my possession or estate by Law my son Joseph Blakemore is to have no other part of my estate but the above mentioned negroe girl Prue
Fifthly I give to my Daughter Susanna Skidmore a Negroe woman name Sall and her daughter Billinda and their increase
Sixthly I give to my son Thomas Blakemore a negroe man name Tom and Easters daughter Winney
Seventhly I give to my son William Blakemore four negroes to wit – George, Charlotte, Mary and Winneys son Tom
Eighthly I give to my son James Blakemore four negroes to wit Jacob Rhody Jim and Edy and the plantation whereon I now live to him and his heirs forever
Ninthly I give to my grandchildren Molly Berry Joseph Duncan and John Duncan one negroe girl name Milley
Tenthly I give to my sons Thomas Blakemore William Bakemore and James Blakemore two negroe women namely Easter and Winney and their increase to be equally divided between them after the decease of my wife Anne Blakemore
Eleventhly all the rest of my estate both real and personal of What nature or kind soever it may be not herein before particularly disposed of I desire may be (at the decease of my wife) equally divided between my three youngest sons Thomas Blakemore William Blakemore and James Blakemore which I give to them their heirs executors administrators and assigns forever
And lastly – I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons Joseph Blakemore Thomas Blakemore William Blakemore James Blakemore and my son in law Henry Skidmore executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 18th day of June 1802 –
Joseph Blakemore
Signed sealed published and declared as and for the last will and Testament of the above named Joseph Blakemore in presence of us
Salley Carter
Charles Carter
Joseph Blakemore Will Recorded Teste Wm. Carter D Clk
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[Virginia State Library & Archives (Loose Papers) Lee Co., VA. Most of the Lee County probate records were lost, but somehow this will survived, and I obtained a copy of it.]
Hannah (Blakemore) Duncan Bird married first William Duncan and was the mother of Joseph and John Duncan.
“On motion of Hannah Duncan Certificate for obtaining administration of the Estate of William Duncan decd. is granted her whereupon she together with John Duncan and Joseph Blakemore her securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of five hundred pounds with condition as the Law directs for the faithfull administration of the said deceased’s Estate. (Russell Co., VA Court Order Book 1, p. 12; 9 Aug 1786. An inventory and appraisment of William Duncan’s estate was taken on 14 Nov 1786; p. 23.)
Hannah (Blakemore) Duncan married second Francis Bird (Byrd) whose will was made in Scott Co., VA on 3 Jan 1823, probated 11 Jul 1832 (Scott Co., VA Will Book 2, pp. 126-127). She was deceased by 10 December 1839 when the Scott Co. court ordered an inventory and appraisement of her personal property (Scott Co., VA Will Book 2, p. 250.)
