John Respess WILL
Northamption County, VA 1771
Recorded in "WILLIS & INVENTORIES 28 (RED INK #XXXVI-R)
1788-1792
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AT PAGE NO. 325
In the name of God, Amen.
I John Respess of Northamption county being very sick at
this time, do make and ordaine this my last will and testament.
First I give every one of my grandchildren one negro girl each
exception those to which I have hereto given on. The smallest
negroes to the smallest children.
Item, I give my granddaughter Sophia Respess that part my
land running by a middle fence from the lane between my land
and James Goffigans, orphan, about a north course so far as to
range with Berthalls south and line, from there to the road and
down the road to the south west corner of the said land, and
then by the lane to the said middle fence, also acres to the eastward of the said land, running so as to take about half the
wood land the southeast corner of my plantation, whith paying
three hunderd pounds each to the of my grandchildren, those
who are to share the rest of my estate namely Esther, Betsy,
Peggy, Sukey and Matthew.
Item, All the rest of my estate both real and personal, I leave
to be equally divided among those five grand children
aforesaid Esther, Betsy, Peggy, Sukey and Matthew after
paying all my just debts.
Item, I give my daughter Sophia one negro boy Southy, Southy
excepted of the aforesaid.
Item, I nominate and appoint Henry Harmanson and Nathaniel
Goffigan my executors to this my last will and testament,
dated this 10th day of October 1791
Sealed and aknowledge in the presence of
Nathaniel Goffigan, George Smaw, Peggy Smaw At a court held
for Northamption Co. the 13th day of December 1791
This will was proved by the oaths of Nathaniel Gofigan, Henry
Smaw Witnesses Be recorded and upon the motion of
Henry harmonson, Executor there on appointed, who took the
oath and gave bond witt security according to law, a
certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of in due
form