Will: Thomas Newman

Will of Thomas Newman
PWCo. Will Book L, pg. 355-357
Proved: 2 April 1821

In the name of God Amen I Thomas Newman of the County of Prince William and state of Virginia do make this my last Will and Testament. Imprimis, I give and bequeath to my Beloved Wife Willia E. Newman all my Estate real and personal during her natural life or Widowhood except such specific legacies as may be herein after made.

1. Item I confirm to my son Elias Newman and his heirs the gift that I made him of negroes Reuben & Nell and her increase and I also bequeath to him and his heirs (negro Lad) John.

2. Item. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Jett Newman and his heirs the land whereon he now lives purchased of Pages estate and containing one hundred and forty one acres more or less together with the negroes of which he is now in possession viz. Ann, Mina, and Wilson.

3. Item. I confirm to my daughter Nancy Jett Newman and her heirs the gift I made her of negro Patt and her children and bequeath to her (stone mason) Jack.

4. Item. It is my will and desire that out of the profits of my Estate there shall be placed in trust in the hands of my son Thomas Jett Newman one hundred and twenty dollars annually for the benefit and support of my daughter Elizabeth Hereford and her children or that as much money be vested in Bank or other stock sufficient to yield an Interest of that amount in either case my son Thomas J. Newman to act as trustee for the special benefit of my said daughter Elizabeth Hereford and her children and this to be considered as her full proportion of my Estate.

5. Item. I confirm to my daughter Mary Spindle & her heirs the gift I made her of negro Isaac, and also give and bequeath to her and her heirs negro Phillis.

6. Item. Having made a Deed of Trust to James Brown of Frederick County of negroes Sally and Stefnee for the benefit of my daughter Sarah Brown and her children I confirm the same for the purpose therein mentioned and also at the death of my wife I give in Trust to my son William Jett Newman negroes Harry, Thornton & Eliza for the special benefit of my said daughter Sarah Brown & children.

7. Item. Upon the death or marriage of my wife I give and bequeath to my son William Jett Newman and his heirs the Tract of Land purchased of John Armistead of Caroline County, decd. containing five hundred acres, more or less together with the land lying on the south side of Catharpen purchased of William Armistead containing from twenty to thirty acres. I also give and bequeath to my son William Jett Newman and his heirs negroes Carpenter Tom and Betty and their children Charles, Charlotte, Jim & George.

8. Item I give and bequeath to my daughters Catharine Newton Newman, Mary Spindle, Peggy Newman and Eleanor Newman and their heirs the residue of my land in Prince William County to be divided equally among them according to quantity and quality I also give them the use of my Dwelling House as their residence as long as they remain unmarried.

9. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Catharine Newton Newman and her heirs negroes Jack and Milly and their children Maria, Reuben, and Margaret.

10. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Peggy Newman and her heirs negroes Shoe Maker Tom, Winny, Moses, Penny and her children Esther, Rachel and Betsy.

11. I give and bequeath to my daughter Eleanor Newman and her heirs negroes Ned, Lucy, Peg, and her children Mary, Lewis, Penny & Juliet.

12. Item upon the death or marriage of my wife it is my desire that my Executors hereafter named shall sell all my personal property negroes excepted to meet the monied claims against my estate and if the avails thereof should prove deficient it is then my Will and desire that negro Jess and his wife and children shall be sold to compleat the payment of all just demands against my Estate and whatever balance of money may remain together with the negroes undisposed of to be divided among my children all except Thomas J. Newman and my daughter Elizabeth Hereford. 

Lastly I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my sons Elias Newman, Thomas Jett Newman, William Jett Newman and my brother Richard Newman Executors of this my last Will and testament.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 28th day of December one thousand eight hundred & twenty.

Thos. Newman {seal}

Edmund Newman
E. Brooke Senr.
John Tall
Thomas Brasfield
Daniel Foster
Thos. Fortun

In addition to the Will which I have recently signed and sealed it is my desire to annex thereto my bequests as relates to two tracts of land to which I am entitled in the state of Tennessee viz. one of two thousand five hundred acres and the other of five hundred acres making on the whole three thousand which I bequeath to all my children in equal divisions that is to say Elias Newman, Thomas J. Newman, Nancy Jett Newman, Elizabeth Hereford, Katherine Newton Newman, Mary Spindle, Sarah Brown, William Jett Newman, Peggy Newman & Eleanor Newman all of whom to have an equal interest in the said three thousand acres of Land.

It is also my will and desire that all my sons and sons in law shall be exhonerated from the payment of all and any moneys that I have advanced to them or for them. Given under my hand this 9th day of February 1821.

Thos. Newman

Thomas Fortune
James D. Tennill
Alexr. Tennill

At a Court for Prince William County April the 2nd 1821.

This last will and testament of Thomas Newman decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of Thomas Fortune, James D. Tennill and Alexander Tennill is ordered to be recorded and Richard Newman and William Jett Newman two of the Executors therein named made oath to the same according to law and the said Executors having performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste   Phil. D. Dawe  Ct. Cur.