In the Name of God Amen the first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and thirty three I Francis Steed of Brunswick County being Sick and Weak of bodyly health but in perfect mind and memory thanks be given to Almight God for the same calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory Life do make this my Last will & Testament for the Settling my worldly affairs in manner and form following first and principally commending my Soul to Almight God who Gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian manner at the descresion of my Exrs. with a sure and Certain hope through the meritts of a Blessed Saviour of a Resurrection to Eternal Life. Imprimis it is my will & desire that all my Just Debts & funerall Charges be truly paid. Item I give to my Daughter Rachel Linehow Cow & Calf & one breeding mare to her and her heirs or assignes for Ever. Item I give to my Loving Wife Rachel Steed the full & Sole use of one half of my personal Estate be it of what nature or Quality Soever during the time She continues my widow but as Soon as she Shall ceas (sic) to be So Either by Death or marriage then it is my will & desire that all that part of my Sd. Estate so Left for the use of my wife aforesd. return to my Daughter Mary Steed all wch. I do give to her the Sd. Mary and to her heirs & assings (sic) for Ever. Item I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my personal Estate be it of what nature or Quality Soever to be Equally divided between my Son Francis Steed and my daughter Mary Steed to whom I do give them each their Equall moyety to them their heirs or assigns for Ever. Item I give and bequeath to my Son Francis Steed the plantation where I now live with all the tract of Land therunto belonging to him the Sd. Francis Steed Jur. his heirs or assigns for Ever but it is my Will & desire and I do hereby order that my Loving Wife Rachel Steed have the liberty peaceably and Quietly to posses occupie and Enjoy one half of the Sd. Land and plantation during the time She remains my widow and as soon as She Shall ceas (sic) to be so Either by death or marriage her Right to leas and determine and the Right thereof to be immediately in my Sd. Son Francis Steed Junr. in the same manner as if Such Liberty had never been given and I do hereby authorise Constitute and appoint my Sd. Son Francis Steed whole & Sole Executor to this my Last Will & Testament hearby revoking and making voind all other Wills by me heretofore made and allowing this duly to be in fource In Witness whreof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the day and Year above written. Signed Francis Steed and witnessed by Henry Fox, Michael Wall, and John Elzey.
At a Court held for Brunswick county the fourth day of Aprill 1734 This Will was presented & proved in Court by Henry Fox Michael Wall & John Elzey Witensses and it is admitted to Record.
Will & Deeds Book 1, page 109, Brunswick County, Virginia