The Will of Sir Thomas Johnes, Knight of Carmarthenshire, Wales UK

Sir Thomas Johnes, Kt., of Aberrnarlais, Carmarthen-shire, Wales, an abstract of whose will is given, appears to have belonged to a very ancient Welsh family, one branch of which was seated at Dolau Cothy, Wales, an extended pedigree of which appears in Thomas Nicholas’ Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales.

P.C.C., 54 Harte.7th March, 1603/4.

Sir Thomas Johnes of Abermarles. Carmarthen, Kt.
To second son Thomas Johnes certain messuages, lands, etc.
To son Rowland Johnes an annuity of £20.
To son Richard Johnes an annuity of £20.
To son Harberte Johnes an annuity of £20.
To daughter Anna Johnes £500.
To servant Thos. Gwin a tenement.
To John Johnes a base son of my father Sir Hy. (Henry) Johnes, Kt., an annuity of £6 13s. 4d.
To servant David Morgan Rees certain messuages, he paying rent therefor.
To servant Lewes John ap Owen certain messuages, he paying rent, etc.
To servant James Willyams a house. etc., he paying rent, etc.

Residue to son and heir Sir Hy. Johnes, Kt., except join-ture to wife, Dame Jane. Said Sir Hy. to be executor. Uncle Sir John Harberte, Kt., and cousin Rowland Gwyn, and Charles Vaughan, Esquires, to be overseers.

Witnesses: Reddz Walter, vicar of Llansadorne, Richd. Johnen, clerk, Howell Thomas, Lewes John Bowen, Rhes Thomas Dd. Poll (Dd Poll, David Powell), and John Thomas, writer.

Wife Jane to have three horses, household stuff and cat-tle, etc.
To uncle Sir John Harberte a horse.
To servant Thomas Gwine an annuity of £3 for a certain No. of years.
To Rees Thomas Dd Powell £3.
To servant John ap Ievan 40/-.
To servant Owen Gwin Dd ap Rees 40/-.
To servant Owen Gwin John 40/-.

Witness, Richard Johnes.
Schedule of debts. Proved 18th May. 1604. by said executor.

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The Will Of Roger Johns, Northampton County VA

as transcribed by Linda Rowe, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
25 February 1998

The cover note to David Salisbury:

David,
Here’s what I have so far. I’ve retained irregular spelling, Latin terms, etc. There are a few blanks I’m still working on. Let me know what you think or if you have questions, Linda Rowe

The Will:

In the name of God Amen

I Roger Johnes beinge very sicke & weake in body but in perfect sense & memory blessed bee to god doe make & ordayne this my last will & testamt. In manner & forme followinge (vizt) First I bequeath my soule to god that gave it And my body to the ground from whence it was taken to bee Interred with solemne & decent buryall in sure & certayne haope of Resurrection to Enternall life through the blessed merritts of Christ Jesus my only Redeemer.

Item I give & bequeath unto my servant Elizabeth her whole type wch. She had to serve & all my goods and chattells I stand nowe possessed of; she payeinge and satisfyinge all my Debts which I doe stand Debted. And to receive all wch. I have oweinge unto mee (wch. Are these heere Expressed.)

Credr. In Tobac. Sequitr.

Item I give & bequeath unto my godsonne Willyam Andrews one Cowe

Item I give & bequeath unto my Loveinge friend James Barnabye the three Hundred Acres of Land att Occahannocke & my Little [goade?] & my little brass Stillyards.

Lasyly I ordayne & appoynte my Loveinge friend James Barnabye of the my Last will and Testamt. Desireinge him to helpe & assist Elizabeth int he performance of this my Last will for the confirmation whereof I hereunto sett my hand this 7th of Septembr. 1651.

Witness in prsence Rober Johnes
James Barnabye
Jeffery Minshall

Memorand That this xxxth daye of March 1652. The last will & Testamt. Of Roger Johnes late of Northampton County decd was proved (apperta Curia) & Sacramt

Jacob Barnaby & Jeffery Minshall
Teste me Edm: Matthews Cl Cur

Att a County Court holden att Northampton 28th of June 1654

This day Elizabeth (nowe the wife of Randll. Hutchinsson the Relict & Executrix of Rogers Johns Blacksmyth late of N[o]rth[amp]ton County decd) presented to the Court an Accott of the Estate of her late husband Roger Johns wch accotts were by order of Court referred to the Examinacon of Mr. Wm Westenhowse & Mr. Jno Reynolds Chirurgions, And they did fynd (as appeareth by report under their hands) that the sd Elizabeth Hutchinson hath paid beyond Assetts the sume and quant of five hundred Eighty Nyne pownds of tobac. It is therefore thought fitt & ordered that the sd Elizabeth Hutchinson (Executrix of Roger Johns decd) shall have her [ ] upon the sd Roger Johns his Estate.

Elizabeth Hutchinson her Accott, Of Mr. Roger Johns his Estate
Dated June 28 1654

Recordatr. Decimo Die mensie Junis 1652

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The Will of Richard Johns, King William County VA

In the Name of God Amen, I, Richard Johns, of King Wm. County being very sick and weake in body but of Perfect Sence and Strength of memory thanks be to God Allrnighty Doe Constitute this. my Last will and Testament as followeth; first I comnitt my Soul into the hands cf Allimighty God who gave it unto me trusting through the merits and intercession of my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ to have free pardon and forgiveness for all my Sins, my body I commit to the Earth to be Decently buryed at the Deferentions of my Exrs hereafter named and as for the worldly Estate It hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon mee I give bequeath as followeth,

It. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Jane Johns the Plantation I now live on and all the Land thereunto belonging as far as beaver dam run durein her naturall life and..after her Decease to my Sonn Rich’d Johns and the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever but if Said Sonn Rich’d Dye without issue as aforesd then the sd Land to fall .to my Sonn Arthur Johns and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for Ever in Case of failure of issue of both my sd Sons as aforesd then my desire is that the Land fall to my Sonn John Johns and his heires for ever. It. It is my Desire that my Sonn Rich’d have Liberty to Live on the Plantation with his mother dureing the time of her Life and in Case of their disagreeing then my desire is my sd sonn have Liberty to Seate and live on any part of my Land above named.

It. I Give unto my Sonn Wm. Johns one hundred acres of Land being the Plantation hee now lives on to him and his heires forever.

It. I Give unto my Sonn Thomas Johns one hundred acres of Land out my Land adjoining to the Land my Sonn William lives on to him and his heires for Ever.

It. I Give unto my Sonn Robert Johns all the remaining part cf my Land in these parts after the above two hundred acres is Laid out to him and his heires for Ever.

It. I Give unto my Sonn Arthur Johns the remaining part of the devident of Land I now live on known by the name cf the Island neck to him and the heires of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever but in Case of failure of Such issue then to my Sonn Rich’d Johns and the heires of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever and in Case of failure of issue as above of both my two Sonns then my desire is that it fall to my Sonn John Johns and his heires for ever.

It. I give to my Sonn Rich’d Johns a Negroe man called Will at the Expiration of three yeares after my decease and Dureing that three years the Said Negroe is to live with my wife and what Ever his labour Shall produce Dureing the time I Desire and appoint it for my Sonn John Johns toward the buying of a piece cf Land to him and his heirs for Ever.

It. I Give to my Daughter Eliz’a now the wife of James Adams twenty shillings Ster’l.

It. I give to my Daughter Mary now the wife of John Randle twenty Shillings Ster’l.

It. I give to my Daughjter Jane now the wife of Josias Randle Six hundred pounds of Sweet sented Tobacco and Cask Convenient.

It. I give to my Daughter Anne Johns two cows and calves and one Thousand pounds cf Sweetsented Tob’o and Cask Convenient to be paid at the age of Eighteen yeares or the day of marryage which Shall .first happen.

It. I give to my daughter Martha Johns two Cows & Calves and one Thousand pounds of Sweetsented Tob’o and Cask Convenient to be paid her at the age Eighteen yeares or the day of Marriage which Shall first happen.

It. All ye rest and residue of my personall Estate both goods and Chattells that I have not All ready given away I give and bequeaath to my Loveing wife Jane Johns whom I Constitute and ordain my full and sole Ex’r of this my Last Will and Testament Consisting of this and two other sides of halfe a Sheet of paper. In witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand & Seale this 12th day of January Anno 1703.
V 1 p 106 The mark of
Rid’d Johns R.J. SEAL
Witnesses: Henry Fox, Wm. Thomas, John Fox

At a Court held for King Wm. County ye 20th day of March Anno Dom 1703 This will was proved by the Oaths of Henry Fox, Jno Fox, Gent., witnesses thereto and order for probate thereof
Granted Jane Johns Ex’r thereunto named.
Vere Rscord’t
Teste Wm. Aylett Cl.Cur. Test. Wm.. Aylett, Cl.Cur.
(An account just now read, shows that writer to. believe that Josias Randle married Jane Johns about 1702, and that his will of 1703 (d. Jan) mentions child in Esse.) King William Co. VA

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The Will of Judith Johns, Goochland VA

I Judith Johns do make this my last will & Testament as folloeth: first I give to my daughter Martha my Bed whereon I now ly with furniture & my trunk & wareing clothes & one mare and desire my son Robert may have the first fole that the mare brings that lives. All other of my Estate to be equally dyvided among all my children. I also appoint my son Joseph Executor of this my last will and Testament & also my will is that my Estate be not sold at publick saile. In wittness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this third day of April 1735.

Test: Bridget DeDamson Judith (X) Johns, her mark and seal
Stephen Dougles

Of a Court held for Goochland County May & 20th 1735. This will was proved by the oath of Bridget Sampson and the Solemn affirmation of Stephen Dougles a Quaker & iwttnesses hereto and was thereupon admitted

Test. H. Wood ClkCur

Inviatary of Judith Johnes Estate deceast

25 Head of cattle L13.15
3 spinging wheales 2 oald tules & a bred tray 1.
Bear r_ndlit _ .3
2 pots pot links and an iron spitt l._
a parsil of tand leather _. 8
3 rau hides & 4 bottls _ .7.8
a parsill of puter 1.10._
a parsil of oald lumber and oald iron _.11.6
an oald saddel & bridel _.10._
a parcil of oald iron & hors harnis _.3.6
3 tobacao hogeds _.7.6
sume oald bedding & an oald chist 1.10._
sume oald books a rasure & a frow _.3.6
sume tules of iron _.1._
374 * of neat tobacco & a cask _____21.10.8

Robert Hughes, Danil Wilmore.
Hedrick Cox

At a Court held for Goochland County July 15, 1735.
This Inventory was ordered to be recorded.
Test. H. Wood ClCur.

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The Will of Alexander Trent, Cumberland County VA

The Will of Alexander Trent Will Book 1, page 44

In the name of God Amen I Alexander Trent of Southern parish in Cumberland County being in perfect mind & memory thanks be to God for the same but considering the frailty of this life & the uncertainty of death do make & ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following First and principally I bequeath my soul to almighty God trusting through the merits of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to receive full pardon and remission of all my sins as for my body that to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my executors hereafter named Item I give and bequeath to my son Peter Field Trent two thousand four hundred acres of land part in Cumberland & part in Albemarle County commonly kown by the name Brooks’s to him and his heirs for ever also seven hundred and fifty acres of the tract of land whereon Thomas Johns now lives which said quantity is to be laid off at the upper part of the said tract crossing the creek in as just a manner to equallize each part as near as may be to him the said Peter Field Trent his heirs and assigns forever. Item I give 6 bequeath to my son Alexander Trent all the rest of my lands to him & his heirs forever. Item I give & bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Trent five hundred pounds current money to be paid her at the age of sixteen years or day of marriage to her and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten but failing of such heirs at her death to be divided between my two sons above named also one negro girl named Flora with her increase to her my said Daughter Elizabeth Trent & the heirs of her body forever but in case my said Daughter should die before shee attain to the age of sixteen years or married or failing of an heir as aforesaid then the said Negro Girl and her increase to be equally divided between my said two sons as above it is my will & desire that the money given to my Daughter as above be paid part out of the stock now by me and the crops & the residue to be raised one half by my son Alexander Trent and the other half by my loving wife Frances Trent out of the labour of my son Peter Field Trents Negroes whose names is as followeth Namely London Bristol, Betty, Joe, Nero, Cloe, Hannah, Tom, young Jenny, Jack, Harry, An, Charles, Rachel, Nann, which said Negros I lend to my loving wife Frances Trent till my son Peter Field Trent attains to the age of Twenty one years and then I give the said Negros and their increase to him the said Peter Field Trent & his heirs forever with this proviso that my loving wife have the lent of one half of the said Negroes during her natural life which division is to be made by any three of the Court of this County. Item I give and bequeath to my son Alexander Trent seventeen negros namely Jenny, Amy, Willis, Cato, Luci, Sanko, Peter, old Jenny, Sam, Little Jenny Tomboy, Agnis, Phillis, Cupit, Fanny and Letty & Effey, together with their increase to him & his heirs forever. Item I give my son Peter Field Trent all the hoggs & cattle which is at his plantation cal’d Brookes together with what is at the other of his plantations where Thomas Johns now lives & ten other head of cattle four of which was a late purchased of William Johns and the other six to be young cattle from the plantation where I now live. Item I give and bequeath to my son Alexander Trent all the rest of my cattle & hoggs with one half of my horses & mairs after my Daughter Elizabeth has had one good horse & saddle worth sixteen pounds and sheep & the other half to be for my son Field Trent to them & their heirs forever, it is my will that my son Peter Field Trent’s Negros be after this year wrought on his own plantation & that the land given between them where Johns now lives be divided at each of my said sons costs it is also my desire that Robert Johns have sufficient corn found him at Fields Plantation Brookses till they can provide or make corn for the Plantations use which is expected to be done the next year. Item 1 give my waggon & Harness to my two sons Alexander & Peter Field Trent to be equally divided between them also all my household furniture to be equally divided between them my said two sons & other my ketchen & other necessaries furniture to be divided in like manner by any of my honest neighbours within six months after my decease as for the rest of my estate after my lawfull debts & funeral expences and legacies paid that to be equally divided between my said two sons as aforesaid lastly I do appoint my said two sons Alexander Trent, Peter Field Trent & my Loving Wife Frances Trent Executors of this my last will and Testament revoking all other wills by me formerly made in Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand & affixt my seal the ninth day of December 1750.

Alexander Trent (LS)

Sign’d Seal’d & Delivered
in presence of us
James Terry Interlind before signd
William Womack 9th line Peter
William Trigg 10th comonly know by the name of
Brookses
Samuel Allen
19th Lawfully begotten
26th & bequeath
47th
after my Daughter Elizabeth has had one good horse & saddle worth sixteen pounds

Cumberland County to wit 22d of July 1751 This within Last Will & Testament of Alexander Trent Deceased was presented in Court by Frances Trent Widow & relict of the said Deceased & Executrix therein named who refused to take on her the burthen of the Execution thereof and likewise renounced all benifit & advantage which she might make from the said Will whereupon Alexander Trent Jun’r one of the Executors therein named made oath thereto according to law and the same being proved by the oaths of William Womack, William Trigg & Samuel Allen witnesses thereto was by the Court ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said Executor certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form with liberty reserved the other Executor to join in the probate when they shall see fit

Test Geo. Nicholas Clk

A Copy- Teste, Betty Walton, Deputy Clerk, Cimberland County, Virginia
Copied with TextBridge Pro 98 by Robert R. Johns from original Certified Copy of the original will at Cumberland Circuit Court. January 16, 1999.

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The Will of David John, St George Parish GA

A transcription of a will belonging to David John, March 5th, 1764, St. George Parish, Province of Georgia
* Denotes two characters not able to be reproduced, following the word "viz"

"In the Name of God Amen. This Eleventh day of October One thousand seven hundred sixty and four I David John of the Parish of Saint George in the Province o Georgia Blacksmith being sick and weak in Body but of Perfect mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God for all his mercies, calling to mind the mortality of my Body and that it is Ordained for all men to Die; do make and ordain this my last will & testament in manner and form following, principally & first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my saviour & Redeemer by whose merits alone I hope to be saved, and as for my body I comit it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the Discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same by the mighty power of God, and as touching such  worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give divide and dispose in manner & form following viz* Impremis I give to my son David John the Plantation & tract of Land whereon I now live with the hereditaments & appurtenances to him his heirs and assigns forever, from the time that he arrives to one & twenty years of age

Item I give & bequeath to my son Joseph the sum of five shillings to be paid him when he arrives to one & twenty years of age

Item all the rest of my Estate moveable & Imoveable I give & bequeath to my loving wife More John; whom I likewise constitute make & appoint to be Executrix of this my last will & testament and I do hereby revoke disallow & Disanul all other & former wills legacies & Executors by me in any wise named made ordained or bequeathed Ratifying & confirming this and no other to be my last will & testament In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written

Signed Sealed & Declared by the Testator David John ( LS ) To be his last will & testament in the presence of us
David Emanuel Senr
David Lewis
Phebe Davie

Georgia Before His Excellency James Wright Esquire Captain General & Governor in Chief of his majestys said Province & Ordinary of the same Personally appeared David Emanuel and David Lewis two of the subscribing witnesses to the last will & testament of David John late of the Parish of St George in the province aforesaid black smith, and being duly sworn on the holy Evangelists made oath that they were present and did see the Testator sign seal Publish pronounce & declare the same to be and contain his last will & testament and that he was of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and belief and that they with Phebe Davie subscribed their names as witnesses to the said will at the request and in the presence of the Testator and in each others presence
At the same time More John named Executrix Qualified before me
Given under my hand the fifth day of March 1765
Js Wright
recorded 5 March 1765"

Document Source:  Volume A Pages 131-132 LDS Family History Catalog #0158964 Early Colonial Records Wills Volume A 1754-1772
Submitted by Shirley Akin 

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The Will of Thomas Johns, Charlotte County VA

In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Johns of Charlotte County being weak in body but of sound mind and memory Understanding Do make and Constitute this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (to wit) Impremis. I give my body to the ground from whence it came and my Soul to God who gave it, as to what worldly Estate the Lord has been pleased to give me I_____ of in manner and form. Following to-wit.

Item._____ ! lend to my 1oving _____wife Catherine one hundred acres of land with the plantation ___ __on which I live. During her natural life after her Decease that _____ _____ _____ that the whole of my land I give and bequeath unto my Son John J_____ _____to him and his heirs and assigns forever. I give unto my D_____ Catherine one Cow and Calf to her and her heirs and assigns forever.

Item. I give all other of my moveable Estate whatsoever Jointly to my Loving wife, at her death to John Johns and in case they cannot live together to be Equally divided Between them on their paying to Each of my daughters Margaret and _____ Twenty shillings apiece. Also I give to my Daughter Catherine five pounds of Virginia Current Money to be paid to her in one year after my death, also I Desire that my Estate shall not be appraised nor in(ventory) of the same Taken likewise _____ I constitute and appoint my Son J_____ _____and William Cook Executors of this my last will and Testament in _____ _____ whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the 11th day of June, 17__.

Signed, Sealed, and Acknowledged to be his last will and Testament _____ _____ _____ Thomas Rice Johns.
Proved Charlotte Co. VA. 7th August 1769.
Test. Samuel Cobb, Clerk.
(Note; This seems only place where he used name of Rice.) V I p 102

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The Will of Joseph Johns, Cumberland County VA

The Will of Joseph Johns, Cumberland Co., VA Will Book 2 page 184

In the name of God Amen the thirteenth day of Jenery in the year of our Lord 1775 Joseph ions of Sant Janes South ham in the County of Cumberland being very sick and weake in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God for the same and coleing to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all me_ once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the Earth to he buried in a Christianlike and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same agan by the mighty power of God and as touching such wouridly estate wherewith it hath pesed God to bless me in this life I give desire and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

Imprimis I lend to my dearly beloved wife Jane Jons my tract of land whereon I now live douring her natrell life or widowhod and then to be divided betwene my too eldest sons William Jons & Joseph Jons.

Item I lend to my dearly beloved wife my hole astate doering hear life and at her deth to be ekwale devied betwene my chhildsn William Gons, and Judy Fariss and Joseph Jones and John Jons and Marthy Jons and Robert Jons, and Jane Jons. I doe heareby ap!nt my dearly beloved wife Jane Jons and William Jons my dearly beloved son Exectors of my astate.
marke Joseph Jons L. S.
Sined Sealed and delivered in the presence of: Test: James Gresham, Bennet Goode

At a Court held for Cumberland County 24th July 1775. This last will and testament of Joseph Johns deceased was exhibited in Court by Jane Johns the Executrix therein named and the same was proved by the witnesses thereto and ordered to he recorded and on the motion of the said Executrix who made oath according to law (Will of Joseph Joims, cont. 2/184) certificate is granted her for obtaining probat thereof in due form giving security whereupon she with George Radford her security entered into bond according to law.
William Jobns the executor in the said Will named here in Court refused to take upon himself the burthen and execution thereof.
Test Thompson Svann Cik.
A Copy - Teste Betty Walton
Clerk Circuit Court Cumberland Co. Va.

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