In the name of God Amen I Robert Hicks, Gentleman of the County of Brunswick in the Colony and dominion of Virginia, Knowing the uncertainty of human life and being now in perfect health and sound and disposing mind and memory do judge this the most proper time to make my Last Will and Testament for the disposing of what Lands Slaves Goods and Chattels I at the present time am owner of which I do in manner and form as followeth. Imprimis I acknowledge the Divine Favor and Mercy of God in so safely conducting and preserving me through all the Dangers to which human Life is exposed to this present time hoping the same Divine Grace may enable me to act to the end of my Life as becomes a follower of our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ by whose advocacy & mediation with the Father I hope to to be admitted to eternal salvation. Item I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Hicks all my land at the Indian Fort below where I know live joining Captain Nathaniel Edwards his lower line and Batts his line containing 650 acres to him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Frances Hicks four slaves name Kate, Martha Alias Hatt, Will and Popper. I also give to my said wife the Bed and Furniture which I now lie in with my will and Six sheep the best that she can choose out of the Flock and 4 cows and calves and also my largest iron Pott. Item I give and bequeath unto my son James Hicks after the decease of my wife the plantation whereon I now live being whatever remains of my patent for 2610 acres after the several tracts hereafter given and taken out of the said patent to him & his heirs forever. I also give unto my said son James one mulatto boy named Peter being now in the possession of the said James Hicks. Item I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law Richard Ransom 150 acres of land lying in the fork of Reeves his swamp being the plantation whereon John Hicks lived unto him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath unto my grandson Benjamin Hicks 150 acres of land lying in the fork of Reeves his swamp above the land I have given to Richard Ransom to him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath unto my son George Hicks a certain parcel of land joining to what he has already beginning at the mouth of his pasture branch and running from thence to the persimmon trees that grow by my haystack to him and his heirs forever. Item I give unto my son James Hicks my large oval table. Item I give unto my daughter Frances Ransom two slaves, Jo and Cesar. Item I give unto my daughter Martha Bedingfield a negro girl named Hannah. Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Hicks two slaves, Will & Amy. Item I give unto my daughter Rachel Hicks two slaves, Dick & Judy. Item I give unto my son Charles Hicks my negro Peter and a bed and furniture and that chest which he now hath. Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth one bed and furniture. Item I give unto my daughter Rachael one bed and furniture. Item I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Bedingfield all my part of the mill on Genito's creek to him and his heirs forever. Item I give & bequeath unto my beloved wife Frances Hicks all the remainder of my estate horses cattle sheep hogs and household stuff to be entirely at her own disposal. Item I give unto my two daughters Mary & Tabitha to each a common Bible. Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my beloved wife Frances Hicks full and sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking annulling and making void all former and other wills and testaments whatsoever. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 6th day of March Anno Christ 1738/39. Signed by Robert Hicks. Signed and sealed and acknowledged as the Last Will and Testament of Robert Hicks in the presence of Anne Poythress, Charles Ross, and John Chapman.
At a court held for Brunswick Co. the 7th day of February, 1739. This will was presented in court by Frances Hicks the Executrix therein named who made oath thereto according to law and the same being proved by the oaths of Ann Poythress, Charles Ross, and John Chapman it is admitted to record.
Will Book 2, page 3, Brunswick County, Virginia