In the name of God Amen I James Hicks of the County of Brunswick being very sick and weak but of sound mind and Memory, Blessed be God Yet Knowing the uncertainty of Human Life have thought fit this Twelfth Day of February one Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty to make ordain, Constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament in manner following. Imprimis I acknowledge the Divine favour and mercy of God in so Safly Conducting and preserving [ ] through all the dangers which Human Life is exposed to this present time Hoping the same divine Grace may inable me to Act to the end of my life as becomes a follower of our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ by whos advocacy and Mediation whith the father I hope to be admited to eternal Salvation. Item I Give and Beqeuath unto my Beloved Wife Fathy Hicks one Feather Bed and Furniture also Two Negro Slaves known by the name of Dick and Jenny During her life and after her Deseas to be equally Divided amongst all my children, also one Chest, [ ] Chairs and a Table during her life and afterwards unto my Son James, also I lend all my Stock of Cattle Except Six Cows and Calvs and Two Stears unto my Wife During her Widowhood and then to be equally divided amongst my Children namely Mary, Patty, James, Lewis, John and Frances Hixs, also Two Chairs Crichets and Egle also one Large pott and one Frying pan. Item I give and Bequeath unto my Son Benjamin Hicks all the Land Lying in the fork of the great Creek not including the Low grounds from the mouth of his Spring branch to the pinte[?] of the Hill where his Road leads down thence across by a line of Mark'd trees to the mouth of a Little Gully above the plant[ ] thence up the Watercourse of the said Creek the line to be Run by Mr. James Hick's my Cousin to him and his Heirs forever also one Negroe fellow named Brandum and what Household Goods he hath in possession also what stock he hath in possession, and one cow and calf and one stear, more out of my Stock three years and Lambs at the spring of the year. Item I give and Bequeath unto my Son Robert Hixs all the Lands on both sides of the Lower fork of Great Creek down to where it empties into the west spring of the said Creek thence a straight line east to the Indian line Joining John Stephens line to him and his Heirs forever, also one bed and furniture, Six Chairs one Chest [ ] plates Three Dishes one pot his Horse Saddle and Bridle and one Negroe man named Sharpes the Cows and calvs one Stear three years and Lambs at the spring of the year. Item I give and Beqeuath unto my Son James Hixes all the Land from the Lower Corner of Robinsons old field to the head of the Hicks[?] Branch down the said Branch to the Creek opposit Against the Barn[?] thence down the Creek from the mouth of the said Branch including my Plantation and all the land Below that is not already mentioned to him and his Heirs forever, also one negroe boy named Andrew one man known by Calling his his provided he gives to his Brother Lewis Hixes two first of his increase [ ] plates three Dishes three head of Sheep when he comes of age three cows and calvs. Item I give and Bequeath unto my Son Lewis Hix, all my Land on the uper[?] side of the Hicks[?] Branch that is all ready Mentioned to him and his Heirs forever also one negroe boy named Ned, and three Cows and Calves where he arrives to the age of Twenty one years. Item I give and Bequeath unto my Son John Hixs one Tract of Land Containg one Hundred and Sixty one Acres more or less lying in the lower end of Brunswick formerly surveyed by John Bishop to him and his Heirs forever also one Negroe Boy named Alston[?] also three Cows and Calvs when he shall Come to the Age of Twenty one years of Age. Item I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Hix one feather Bed and furniture also one Negro girl named Cato, also the Labour of one Negroe Wench named fillis but her increas to be Equally Divided amongst my Six Children hereafter mentioned Benjamin Robert James and Lewis Hixs also one Sorrel mare[?] Bridle and Side Saddle. Item I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Pattey Hix two negroe Girls named Nan & Da[ ]ens also one Bed and furniture also the first increase of the share[?] Bequeathed [ ]. Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Frances Hix one Negroe Girl named Hagar. Item My will and Desire is that the nine Cows and Calvs Bequeathed my sons James, Lewis and John Hix be paid by my Wife or Two Executors as soon as they shall come to the Age of Twenty one years and that she have the [ ] and make good to any of my Children a bed that I have not Bequeathed unto and the increase of Jenney the Wench Bequeathed my Wife be equally Divided among my Children Frances and John Hix until the death of my said Wife. Item My will and Desire is that my Horses Boston and Romon & Negroe Boy Simon and all the rest and residue of my Estate not aforesaid mentioned be sold at the Direction of my executors hereafter mentioned to discharge my Lawful debts and the money if any Remaing be equally Divded amongst my aforementioned Children Benjamin, Robert, Mary, Patty, James, Lewis, Frances and John Hicks, and my will and desire is that all my Negroes Remain on the plantation, Except Andrew which my Son Benja. hath in possession and be imiploid towards making a Crop and my son Robert Hix have the Care and Management of them and for his Trouble to have and Equal Share and the management of his own. Lastly I ordain Constitute and appoint my beloved Wife, Benjamin Hix and Robert Hix Sole Executors of this my last will and Testament hereby Revoking and making Void all former Wills and Testaments Whatsoever in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal the day and year above. signed James Hicks, and witnessed by John Stephens Junr., Henry Vinson, and Thos. Harris Williams.
At a Court held for Brunswick County the 23rd Day of February 1761 This Will was proved According to Law by the Oaths of John Stephens Junr. and Thomas Harris Williams Witnesses thereto and Ordered to be Recorded and on the motion of Benjamin Hix and Robert Hix two of the Executors threin named who made Oath thereto and together with James Hicks and Robert Stark their Securities entered into and Acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of Three Thousand pounds Conditioned as the law directs Certificate was granted them for obtaining probate in due form.
Will Book 3, page 352, Brunswick County, Virginia