COTTON Alert R.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 1842, Sussex County, VA

Notes:

William Henry Cotton 1795 - 1842
William Henry Cotton was the only son of Gary and Nancy Anne (Harrison) Cotton. He was born about 1795 and was but 10 years old when his father died. It seems clear that he inherited the same plantation which his father, Gary, had inherited from his grandfather, Richard. Four of the slaves named in William Henry Cotton's will in 1842 are the same as those named in the inventory of the estate of his father thirty-seven years later.
He married Sarah "Sally" Weathers Parsons on 3/7/1816. They were both about 21 years old. She was the daughter of Henry Parsons (1749-? ) and his second wife Hannah Stacy (1769-1826), whom he married in 1793. Her half brother was Col. William Parsons, who had been a captain in the Continental Cavalry and was a prominent figure in Sussex County. The Parsons were also very early settlers in the Virginia Colony

Will:
William M. Cotton's father died in 1842, when William was 16 years old. His brothers and sister were apparently also underage. In his will he leaves one-third of his estate to his beloved wife, Sally Cotton, and two thirds to his four children, to be divided equally among them. He specifically leaves one negro girl, Mason, to William Madison; another, Harriet Jones, to daughter Caroline; and still another, Viney, to Gary. He then specifies that each of the three negro girls shall be loaned to his beloved wife until each of the children shall arrive to lawful age or marry.
The inventory of William Henry Cotton's estate taken on the 15th of December 1842 indicates that this was a family of some wealth. In addition to four pages of personal possessions, farming implements and stored crops, twenty four slaves are listed by name: Allen, Willis, Jim, Hubbard, Isham, Jacob, Jesse, John, Dick, Henry, Little Harriet, Liza, Dolly, Sarah, Malinda, Lewis, big Harriet and her 3 children Mary Chesman and Samson, Viney, Harriet Jones and Mason. The slaves are valued at $5275, the rest of his possessions at $1877. Land and buildings are not included in the inventory. They must have been substantial to support such a large number of people.

He did leave a will dated 10/4/1842, two months before it was probated. His wife Salty is named executor. The provisions of the will are as follows:
William Madison Cotton - One negro girl named Mason(?). To him and his heirs forever.
Daughter Caroline ~ One negro girl named Harriet Jones to her and her heirs forever.
Cory - One negro girl named Viney to him and his heirs forever.
Item: It is my will and desire that the three negro girls to wit Mason, harriet Jones and Viney disposed of above be loaned to my beloved wife until each one of my children named above shall arrive to lawful age or marry.
Item: I leave to my beloved wife Sally Cotton my watch and at her death to my son Cory. Item: It is my will and desire that the remainder of my estate be equally divided into three parts; one-third part of which I loan to my beloved wife Sally Cotton during her life, the other two-thirds to be equally divided between my son Albert R. Cotton, William M. Cotton, Caroline Cotton and Cory Cotton to them and their heirs forever.
The inventory of the estate included 23 slaves: Lewis, John, Sarah and Dolly, who were inherited from his father, plus Allen, Willis, Jim, Hubbard, Isham, Jacob, Jessee, Dick, Henry, Little Harriet, Liza, Dolly, Malinda, Viney, Harriet Jones, Big Harriet and her three children Mary, Cheeseman and Samson. The total value of the slaves was estimated at S 5275. Livestock, stored crops, farm equipment and supplies were valued at $ 1014. Furniture and personel possessions had a total value estimated at $ 261. Household items of significant value included a sideboard $ 40,dining tables $ 25, three beds at $ 25 each, one bed at $ 15, a trundle bed $ 3, a watch $ 25, a large pine chest $15, buffet $ 8, etc. The plantation was first and foremost a business enterprise. What we do not see is value of land and buildings, slave cabins, etc. Why this is so is not clear to me.
Between the death of William Henry Cotton in 1842 and the Civil War we have no information about the family. We do not know whether the plantation was sold and the proceeds divided among the children. We do not know what education they received. William Madison Cotton is said to have been a teacher, but where and of what we do not know. Gary Cotton became a doctor, and was a surgeon in the Army of the Confederacy. We know nothing of the lives of Albert and Caroline Cotton.
pg. 26

William married PARSONS Sarah (Sally) Weathers on 7 Mar 1816 in Sussex County, VA. Sarah (daughter of PARSONS Henry and STACY Hannah) was born in 1795-1796 in Sussex County, VA; died after 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Lived(s) In: 1860, Cabin Point, Surry County, VA.

Notes:

The Family of Sarah Weathers Parsons 1795/6 - >1860
Her name was Sarah Weathers Parsons, but everyone knew her as "Salty". She was born in Sussex in 1795 or 1796, and lived to a ripe old age, dying sometime between the Census of 1860 and the Census of 1870. On March 7,1816, at age 20, she married William Henry Cotton, also aged 20 or 21, whose story, insofar as we know it, has been told previously.
The Parsons family apparently descended from one John Parsons, Esquire, of London, an Adventurer of the Virginia Company, who arrived in Virginia in 1619. His wife's name was probably Elizabeth. They had at least one son, also named John Parsons (1639 -1711) who married Ann Thomas. They resided in York County, Virginia. John and Ann Parsons had four children; Elizabeth (1669), William (1671), John (1673) and Anna. It is believed that William moved to Richmond or Elizabeth City County, and had a son also named William, born in 1697, who married a Harrison. This William was probably the father of Robert Parsons (1720 - 1777) of Sussex County. Obviously, further research is needed to clarify this line of descent.
Sally's grandfather was Robert Parsons, who was born in 1720. He married Eleanor Hines (bom 1725) about 1744. They established themselves in Sussex County and raised a family of seven children; William/Robert (1745), Amy (1746), Henry (1749), Eleanor (1752), Mary (1755), Unity/Uriah (1757) and Elizabeth. Eleanor died 11/9/1770 and Robert died in!777, in Sussex County. Robert Parsons was apparently a well-to-do plantation owner.

Died:
Her name was Sarah Weathers Parsons, but everyone knew her as "Salty". She was born in Sussex in 1795 or 1796, and lived to a ripe old age, dying sometime between the Census of 1860 and the Census of 1870.

Notes:

Married:
He married Sarah "Sally" Weathers Parsons on 3/7/1816. They were both about 21 years old. She was the daughter of Henry Parsons (1749-? ) and his second wife Hannah Stacy (1769-1826), whom he married in 1793. Her half brother was Col. William Parsons, who had been a captain in the Continental Cavalry and was a prominent figure in Sussex County. The Parsons were also very early settlers in the Virginia Colony

William Henry and Sally seem to have had no children in the early years after they were married. William Madison Cotton, who is believed to be the oldest child was not born until after they had been married ten years. Unfortunately, like his father Gary before him, William Henry Cotton died at the relativelyyoung age of 47, in 1842, while all his children were still under age.

On March 7,1816, at age 20, she married William Henry Cotton, also aged 20 or 21

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 25 Feb 1805

Notes:

Will:
"Anne" Harrison was named administratrix of the estate. We do not know at this time whether she remarried or had any other children. William Henry would have been only 10 years of age when his father died. We assume that his mother managed the plantation until William was of age and/or his mother died, at which time he no doubt inherited the property. It is usually financially disastrous to a family if the father dies young. There has been insufficient time to accumulate wealth, which usually occurs in the later years of one's life. The children are deprived of the instruction of the father in learning how to manage the crops, the animals and the slaves. We can assume that the slaves knew what needed to be done and kept the enterprise going. But the loss of the master, who did the planning and managed the business of the plantation, is irreplaceable.

The inventory of the estate of Gary Cotton taken 2/25/1805 lists eleven slaves: Lewis, John, Solomon (a boy), Michael (a boy), Doctor (a boy), Chloe (old), Sarah, Bede, Dolly, Patsy, Chloe. The slaves are valued at L848, two horses L55, one yoke young steers L 7, sixteen sheep L10, oId bull L5, five cows LI 8, two heifers L3, two steers L4, two yearlings L2, four sows L4, one blue boar L2, nine year-old hogs L5.5, eight shoots £2.5. Three beds and furniture L32. There is little else of significant value listed.

It is clear that slaves were by far the greatest resource and store of wealth for most of the farmers in Surry and Sussex Counties. Each plantation was a community in itself. Of the eleven slaves listed in Carey Cotton's estate only two were grown men able to plow the fields. There were three boys and six women of various ages. To survive, all would have to cooperate together.

Carey-Cary married HARRISON Nancy Ann on 11 Dec 1792 in Sussex County, VA. Nancy (daughter of HARRISON William and HARRISON Mary --LNU--) and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Carey Cotton 1765 - 1805
Carey/Cary Cotton was the 7th of the eight children of Richard and Betty (Weaver) Cotton. When his father died he bequeathed the plantation on which he lived to Carey.
Cary married Nancy "Anne" Harrison, called Anne, on December 11,1792. Her parents were William and Mary (........) Harrison. The Harrison family had lived in Surry County and Sussex County since the early days of the Virginia Colony. Her ancestors were (Benjamin2, Daniel3, Solomon4, John5, William6). In his will probated in 1804 William Harrison gave "to my daughter Nancy Cotton one negro girl named Sarah"..

The young couple had two children before Cary died unexpectedly in 1805, at the age of 40. He died intestate, which was unusual for a family of their standing in the community.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military: American Revolution

Notes:

The Parsons family apparently descended from one John Parsons, Esquire, of London, an Adventurer of the Virginia Company, who arrived in Virginia in 1619. His wife's name was probably Elizabeth. They had at least one son, also named John Parsons (1639 -1711) who married Ann Thomas. They resided in York County, Virginia. John and Ann Parsons had four children; Elizabeth (1669), William (1671), John (1673) and Anna. It is believed that William moved to Richmond or Elizabeth City County, and had a son also named William, born in 1697, who married a Harrison. This William was probably the father of Robert Parsons (1720 - 1777) of Sussex County. Obviously, further research is needed to clarify this line of descent.
Sally's grandfather was Robert Parsons, who was born in 1720. He married Eleanor Hines (bom 1725) about 1744. They established themselves in Sussex County and raised a family of seven children; William/Robert (1745), Amy (1746), Henry (1749), Eleanor (1752), Mary (1755), Unity/Uriah (1757) and Elizabeth. Eleanor died 11/9/1770 and Robert died in!777, in Sussex County. Robert Parsons was apparently a well-to-do plantation owner.

Military:
It is thought that Henry saw service of some type in the American Revolution, but at this date we have no details

Died:
Before the 1810 census

Henry married STACY Hannah on 4 Feb 1793 in Sussex County, VA. Hannah was born in 1769 in Sussex County, VA; died in 1826 in Sussex County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 1826, Sussex County, VA

Notes:

Will:
His widow Hannah died in 1826 and her son-in-law William H. Cotton was named administrator of her will This proved to be more complicated than anyone had imagined. After Hannah's father, Simon Stacy (1711-1784) died, the named executor of his will died without having completed the execution of the provisions of the will, which provided for an equal distribution of Simon's estate among his 12 children. Through a series of misadventures the case dragged on for 41 years after his death before it was finally resolved by the court in August 1825. The $204.83 remaining in the estate account was divided among the four descendants of Simon Stacy who had not died childless, were missing or had disposed of their claims to the residual estate. Among the four was Sally Parsons, whose husband William H. Cotton seems to have played an active role in getting the matter settled. But the judge placed $ 15 0 of the amount in escrow, in case any of the potential claimants missing or presumed dead should show up later. The last entry for this case in Sussex County court records was in July 1843, 59 years after Simon Stacy's death.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Lived(s) In: Albemarle Parish, Surry County, VA
• Alt. Birth: 1725
• Census: 1782, Sussex County, VA
• Will: 1790, Sussex, Sussex County, Virginia
• Will: 7 Jan 1790, Sussex County, VA

Notes:

Richard and Betty Cotton also had lots of childrea The Albemarle Parish Register faithfully records their births and some of their marriages:
I Sarah "Sally" Cotton. Bom 2/26/1748. Married Littleberry Ivey.
II Seth Cotton. Born 11/1/1750. Married Rebecca Avent.
III. Harris Cotton. Born 9/3 0/1753.
iv. Rebecca Cotton. Born 5/29/1756. Married 11/15/1779 Samuel Mangum.
v. Archibald Cotton. Bom 2/28/1759. Married 7/2/1787 Caty HilL
vi. Jane Cotton. Born 4/14/1762. Married...........Cook.
vii. Cary/Carey Cotton. Born 3/12/1765. Married 12/11/1792 Nancy Ann Harrison.
viii. Weaver Cotton. Born 7/31/1768.

Will of Richard Cotton
1790 • Sussex Co, Virginia United States
I give to my sone, Cary Cotton, the Plantation where on I now live, and all the lands that belong to the Tract, one negro by named Lewis, to him and his heirs forever.

On 1/4/1768, Richard Cotton purchased 105 acres for $58 in Northhampton Co., NC

Will of Richard Cotton - 1790 (Will Book E, Page 1, Sussex Co.VA.)
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Richard Cotton of the Parish of Albemarle in the County of Sussex being of perfect mind & memory thanks be to all mighty God for the same calling to mind the uncertainty of life & knowing that all flesh must Eald to death do make this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following.
First I recommend my sole to allmighty God who gave it me trusting in merits of crucified Saviour for salvation as for settling what temporal estate it has pleased allmighty God to bestow upon me far above my disert I disspose in manner and form as followeth.
Item - I give to my daughter Salley Ivey one negro gal named Liddy to she and her heirs forever;
Item - I give to my son Seth Cotton a negro woman naimed Tab & thirty pounds cash 1 feather bed and blanket to him and his heirs for ever;
Item - I give to my sone Haris Cotton one negro woman named Aniche and the upper part of my black swamp land formily the part that was Howell Jarratts and half the benifit of the orchard on the place, whar he now lives, till he can rase one to him and his heirs forever.
Item - I give to my daughter Rebecar Mangum one negro woman nam'd pender during her life and at her death to hur eldres sone Zecheriah to him and his heirs for ever.
Item - I give to my sone Archebel Cotton one negro man namd Will and seventy pounds gold or silver one sow and pigs 6 barrels corn three hundred pounds of pork one ax 1 hoe one pot and one frying pan one pale fore sheaps & one feather bed & ferniture all which I give to him and his heirs forever.
Item - I give to my sone Carey Cotton the plantation whereon I now live and all my lands that belong to the tract one negro boy named Lewis to him and his heirs forever.
Item - I give to my daughter Jiney Cook one negro gal Lucy during her life and at her death to her daughter Elizabeth Cook to her and her heirs for ever.
Item - I give to my sone Weaver Cotton the lower part of my land on the black swamp being the part where Faddey Jarratt formerly lived also one negro boy named Gabrel one horse bridle & saddle to him and his heirs forever.
Item - My Will and desire is that after my just debts & leggiceys is paid that all the remainder part of my estate of what kind or denominations whatsoever to be equally divided between my three sons Archabal, Carey & Weaver Cotton by 2 good honest men to be chose'd fer that purpose by my Executors.
Lastly I do constitute and appoint my loveing sons Carey and Archebal Cotton my hole and sole executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking & anulling all other Wills heretofore maid and acknowledging this fer my last Will and Testament in witness I have set my hand & seal this twenteth forth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty six.
Richard Cotton (Seal)
Signed sealed & acknowledged for his last Will and Testament in the presents of
Law. Smith
Jesse Ivey
At a Court held for Sussex County the 7th day of January 1790. The last Will and Testament of Richard Cotton decd. was exhibited into Court by Cary and Archebald Cotton the Executors therein named was proved by the oaths of Lawrence Smith and Jesse Ivey the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on motion of said Executors who made oath thereto and gave bond as the law directs certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Teste- M. Bailey Ct. Cur.


Family links:
Parents:
Thomas T. Cotton (1692 - 1778)
Jane Hyde Cotton (1700 - 1768)

Spouse:
Sarah Elizabeth Weaver Cotton (1726 - 1781)*

Children:
Sally Cotton Ivey (1747 - ____)*
Seth Cotton (1750 - 1815)*
Harris Cotton (1753 - 1797)*
Rebecca Cotton Mangum (1756 - 1828)*
Archibald Cotton (1759 - ____)*
Celia Cotton Scoggins (1760 - ____)*
Jane Cotton Cook (1762 - ____)*
Cary Cotton (1765 - ____)*
Weaver Cotton (1768 - 1836)*
William Cotton (1768 - 1768)*

Siblings:
John Cotton (1717 - ____)*
Thomas Cotton (1719 - 1792)*
Nathaniel Cotton (1722 - 1794)*
Cary Cotton (1724 - ____)*
David Cotton (1726 - ____)*
Littleberry Cotton (1728 - ____)*
Richard Cotton (1729 - 1790)
William Cotton (1733 - ____)*
Henry Cotton (1737 - 1790)*
Drury Cotton (1737 - ____)*
Isham Cotton (1739 - ____)*
Mary Cotton Crossland (1743 - 1805)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial:
Unknown

Birth:
Richard Cotton 1725 - 1789
Richard Cotton was born in 1725 (or 1729), the sixth of Thomas and Jean Cotton's twelve children. We do not know if the family still lived on the Otterdam Swamp plantation when he was born, or whether they had already removed to Albemarle Parish, which in 1754 would become Sussex County.

Lived(s) In:
They lived in Albermarle Township in newly created Sussex County

Census:

Virginia, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1607-1890 about Richard Cotton
Name:      Richard Cotton
State:      VA
County:      Sussex County
Township:      06 06
Year:      1782
Record Type:      Continental Census
Page:      44
Database:      VA Early Census Index

Will:
Will of Richard Cotton
1790 • Sussex Co, Virginia United States
I give to my sone, Cary Cotton, the Plantation where on I now live, and all the lands that belong to the Tract, one negro by named Lewis, to him and his heirs forever.

Will:
Save to my tree
Will of Richard Cotton
(This Will is the way I found it, and the spelling too.)
WILL OF RICHARD COTTON
Sussex County, Virginia

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I Richard Cotton, of the Parish of Albemarle in the County of Sussex, being of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to All Mighty God for the same, and same, and calling to mind the uncertainty of Life, and knowing that all flesh must exile to death, do make this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following.

ITEM - First, I recommend my sole to All Mighty God who gave it to me, trusting in merits of the Crucified Salvation. As for settling what temporal Estate it has pleased All Mighty God to bestow upon me, far above my desert, I dispose in manner and from followth:

ITEM - I give to my Daughter, Salley Ivey, one negro gal name Liddy, to she and her heirs forever.

ITEM- I give to my sone, Seth Cotton, a negro woman named Tabb, thirty pounds cash, one feather bed and blanket, to him and his heirs forever.

ITEM - I give to my sone, Haris Cotton, one negro woman named Aniche, and the upper part of my Black Swamp land, formerly the part that was Howell Jarratt's, and half the benefit of the orchard on the place where he now lives, till he can raise one, to him and his heirs forever.

ITEM - I give to my daughter, Rebecca Mangum, one negro woman named Pender during her life and at her death to her eldest some, Zachariah, to him and his heirs forever.

ITEM - I give to my sone, Archabal Cotton, one negro man named Will and seventy pounds gold or Silver, one sow and pigs, six barrels of corn, 300 pounds of pork, one axe, one hoe, one pot, one frying pan, one paile, fore sheaps and one feather bed & furniture, all which I give to him and his heirs forever.

ITEM - I give to my sone, Cary Cotton, the Plantation where on I now live, and all the lands that belong to the Tract, one negro by named Lewis, to him and his heirs forever.

ITEM - I give to my daughter, Jincy Cook (Cocke ?), one negro gal named Lucy, during her life and at her death to her daughter, Elizabeth Cook, to her and her heirs forever.

ITEM - I give to my sone , Weaver Cotton, the lower part of the land on the Black Swamp, being the part where Taddey Jarrell forerly lived, also one negro boy named Gabriel, one horse bridle & Saddle, to him and his heirs forever.

ITEM- My will desire is that after my just debts and legaceys is paid, that all the remainder part of my Estate of what kind or denominations what so every, to be equally divided between my three sons, namely, Archebal, Carey, and Weaver Cotton, by two good honest men to be chosen for that purpose by my Executors.

ITEM - Lastly, I do consititute & appoint my loving sons, Carey & Archebal Cotton, my hole and sole Executors of this my last Will & Testament, hereby revoking and annulling all other wills here to fore maid, & acknowledging this for my last Will & Testament. IN WITNESS, I have set my hand and Seal this Twentieth forth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty six. Signed Richard Cotton (Seal)

Signed & Acknowledged for
his last Will & Testament in
the presents of

Lawrence Smith
Jesse Ivey

Will Book E, Page 1 Sussex Co. VA.Probated: 172 7 January 1790, Sussex Co. VA. He was born co1729 in Albemarle, Sussex Co., VA.(2) He died in Surry, Virginia.

Richard married WEAVER Sarah Elizabeth "Betty" in 1747 in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, VA. Sarah (daughter of WEAVER Edward and WEAVER Elizabeth --LNU--) was born about 1726; died in 1781 in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, VA; was buried in Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Betty was born about 1726, the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Weaver of Surry County. The Weaver family traced its roots to one John Weaver, born in England in 1625, who came to the Virginia Colony as a young man and settled in Surry County. Betty's ancestors (John1, John2, John3, Edward") continued to live and die in Surry County.

William married HARRISON Mary --LNU--. Mary and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Lived(s) In: Sussex County, VA
• Will: 1778, Sussex County, VA

Notes:

The Parsons family apparently descended from one John Parsons, Esquire, of London, an Adventurer of the Virginia Company, who arrived in Virginia in 1619. His wife's name was probably Elizabeth. They had at least one son, also named John Parsons (1639 -1711) who married Ann Thomas. They resided in York County, Virginia. John and Ann Parsons had four children; Elizabeth (1669), William (1671), John (1673) and Anna. It is believed that William moved to Richmond or Elizabeth City County, and had a son also named William, born in 1697, who married a Harrison. This William was probably the father of Robert Parsons (1720 - 1777) of Sussex County. Obviously, further research is needed to clarify this line of descent.
Sally's grandfather was Robert Parsons, who was born in 1720. He married Eleanor Hines (bom 1725) about 1744. They established themselves in Sussex County and raised a family of seven children; William/Robert (1745), Amy (1746), Henry (1749), Eleanor (1752), Mary (1755), Unity/Uriah (1757) and Elizabeth. Eleanor died 11/9/1770 and Robert died in!777, in Sussex County. Robert Parsons was apparently a well-to-do plantation owner.

Will:
His will, written on a page headed "September Fourth MDCCLXXVII....Second Year of the Commonwealth", reads as follows:
In the name of God amen I Robert Parsons of the County of Sussex in the Parish of Albemarle being weak in body, but of a sound mind and memory, blessed be God, but calling to mind that it is appointed to all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, bequeathing my soul to God who gave it hoping for that mercy and forgiveness promised to all who believe in Jesus Christ our saviour, and my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned and with what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bless me with, I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the manner and form following. Viz.
Inpremis: I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Sanders one negro boy named Moses and one large chest to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son William Parsons the three negros which he carried with him, Viz. Ben, Dinah and Celia with their increase and all debts due from him to me, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Uriah Weathers two negro girls, Viz. Phebe and
Winney and their increase and one trunk called her Mother's trunk to her and her heirs
forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Amey Ekman one negro wench named Bell and her increase to her and her heirs forever
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Henry Parsons two negro boys, Viz. Ab and Ben and one negro fellow named Bib (clear of all hire that may owe me hitherto for him and also during my life), one feather bed and furniture and one chest called mine to him and his heirs forever.
Item: My will and desire is that six pounds shall be paid out of my estate towards the education of my grandson Osburn Smith, son of my daughter Amy Ekman.
Item: I give and bequeath to ny grandson Robert Parsons, son of Henry Parsons one filly and her increase to him and his heirs forever.
Item: My will and desire is that all debts due to me from Isaac Weathers, John Sanders, Adam Ekman and Henry Parsons, and my desire also is that the bed I now lie upon and all the remainder of my estate undisposed of be set up to the highest bidder and the money raised from the sale, and also the debts aforesaid be equally divided among Isaac Weathers, John Sanders, Adam Ekman and Henry Parsons.
Item: My will and desire is that Isaac Weathers do pay to Henry Parsons three pounds current money of Virginia out of the estate devised to him.
Item: My will and desire is that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid out of my estate.
Item: My will and desire is that no appraisement be made of my estate and I do hereby appoint Henry Parsons and John Sanders Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making said all wills by me formerly made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of June one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven.
Robert Parsons
Signed, sealed, pronounced and declared
by the testator in our presence and in the
presence of each other have witnessed the same. Robert Watson Nicholas Ogburn Thomas Whitfleld
This is a prime example of wills written in Colonial America. Land is never mentioned. Presumably it was passed to the descendants either by earlier gift or in accordance with English law.

Robert married HINES Eleanor in 1744. Eleanor was born in 1725; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]