In
the name of God Amen, I Joseph Collins of the county of Spotsylvania being sick
and weak, but of sound and perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the
uncertainty of this transitory life do make this my last will and Testament in
manner ?? form following, first I commend my soul to Almighty God and my body to
the earth to be decently buried, and as to what worldly estate it hat please God
to bless me with I give and bequeath in the following manner:
It is my will, that my just Debts and funeral expenses to first paid.
I give unto my Grad Daughter, Amy Collins, one cow and calf and the sum
of five pounds current money, to be paid unto her when she arrives at the age of
twenty one years or on the Day of her marriage.
I
lend unto my beloved wife Susana Collins my whole estate of Teal and ?? for and
during the term of her widowhood, and after her marriage or death.
It is my will and desire that my executor hereafter named do sell my
whole estate both real and per?? At public auction, and I do hereby give that
money arriving by the sale of my land to be equally divided between my four sons
James Collins, William Collins, Thomas Collins and Lewis Collins and out of the
money arriving by the sale of my Negroes and other estate I give the sum of ten
pounds current money to each of my daughters, ann Wisdom, Mary Brockman, Susanna
Golson, Tabitha Gatewood, Drucilla Cook and Catey Glass and if any thing remans
after such ?? are paid, I give the same to be equally divided between my
children, John Collins, James Collins, William Collins, Thomas Collins, Lewis
Collins, Ann Wisdom, Mary Brockman, Susanna Gholson, Tabitha Gatewood, Druicilla
Cook, Catey Glass. I do hereby
ordain constitute and appoint my sons John Collins, James Collins, William
Collins, Thomas Collins and Lewis Collins Executors of this my last will and
Testament, hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made and declaring
this to be my last will and Testament, in testimony whereof of ?? unto ?? my
hand and seal this 27th day of August, 1757.