Adams/McCutchen - Bair/Mehrer Genealogy

as presented by Michelle Adams

Adams Family Wills

Note: Were the wills are quoted below, there will be spelling errors that I have left intact.

Kentucky
Trimble County

Bates, Abner – Will of Abner Bates dated 13 Oct 1859 and probated Oct 1867. It mentions two daughters Martha Averitt and Nancy Hudson and his three grandchildren, children of his deceased daughter Susan Crafton, Sarah Jane, Lucy and Newton Crafton. Witnessed by William Samuel and Abner Bates. I have a hard copy of his will and it is very difficult to read. It was probably copied from microfilm of the court order will book but I am not certain. What I could get out of it is as follows.
Abner Bates will: I Abner bates of the county of Trimble and state of Kentucky being weak in body but of Sound Mind --- ---- ---- do make this my last will and testament in ---- and f--- as follows; Item 1st It is my will and device that all of my just debts and burial expenses be first paid; Item 2nd After the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses are paid it is my will and device that my wife Phebe Bates have all of my estate both real and ----- for her own use and ---- Solory as she my ---; Item 3rd After the death if my wife it is my will and device that all of my estate be equally divided among my two daughters Martha Averitt Nancy Hudson, and the grandchildren, children of my deceased daughter Susan Crafton, and in the event of either of my daughters to wit Sarah Jane, Lucy and Newton Crafton should be ref-- --ccy an've at full age. It is my will and device that the portion willed them should go to the --- --- ----, I only intance that my grand children should have one third --- portion that would have gone to my daughters of --- --- living; And hereby I do appoint my beloved wife Phebe Bates executrix to this my last will and testament -- all other or former wills by me made and I ----- to permit my wife to qualify wether giving ---- s--- and acknowledge this 13th day of October 1859.

Virginia
Amelia County

Bates, Abner – His will can be found in Amelia County, Virginia will book 4 page 127. The will was written 20 August 1788 and proven 26 February 1789. Abner was a resident of Nottoway Parish in Amelia County, Virginia. Bequests were left to his wife Susannah Bates, son William Bates, son David Bates, daughter Sarah Tye, daughter Elizabeth Bates, daughter Ann Bates, sister, Mary Bates, Charles Drinkwater (his wife Susannah's son) and to Susannah's two eldest daughters. He named as executors his sons William and David, and his friend William Hood. Witnesses were Edward Jackson, Jesse Hood, Frederick Hood, William Hood.

Bates, Thomas – His will can be found in Amelia County, Virginia Will book 2 page 155, 173. Will dated 9 Sep 1775. Bequests were made to his daughter Elizabeth Crenshaw of my riding mare; granddaughter Mary Crenshaw of my bed and furniture; daughter Mary Bates of Negor woman Jane and 6 pounds cash; and to his son Abner Bates of remainder of estate, whether it be money or money's worth. Abner was the sole executor. Witnesses were John Bailey, William Hood and Joseph Cheely. On page 173 of will book Thomas Bates estate inventory dated 20 November 1775. Inventory was taken by Abner Bates and contained one slave, a negro woman named Jane.

Chesterfield County

Ellis, Thomas – In the summer of 1757, Thomas was seriously ill. So ill that he made out his will. 300 acres were to go to his eldest son John and 200 acres to Phoebe to be divided after her death among the four younger children. In October 1757, Thomas died.

Lancaster County

Grimes, Margaret Carter Raughton Atwell – Margaret's third husband was Edward Grimes. Margaret Grimes Will as follows: "long afflicted and under the hand of the Almighty," widow, recorded. Dated 18 Feb 1658. Son, William Raughton, cattle and furniture. Son-in-law Will White, one boy servant. Daughters Ann White and Frances Roots. Thomas Raughton, son of William Raughton, cattle and slave. Will White, the younger. Witness: Nich George, Thomas Marshall.

Lunenburg County

Crafton, James – His will is as follows from Lunenburg County, Virginia Will Book 3 pages 18-19.
   September 4, 1777 In the name of God Amen. I, James Crafton of Charlotte County weak in body but in perfect mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God for it but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life: I do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say first of all I give my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth from whence it came to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me with I give in the following manner: Item I give and bequeath to my loving wife Karrenhapprich Crafton all my hole estate real and personal during her widowhood or her natural life and then to be divided among my children, William Crafton, Richard Crafton, John Crafton, Anthony Crafton, Thomas Crafton, James Crafton, Joseph Crafton, Ann Tatum and my daughter Elizabeth Robertson's part is to be equally divided between all her children to be paid by my executors to them as they come to age and I do utterly deny and disannul all wills legacies before this my last will and I do appoint my wife and my son John Crafton as executors.
   At a Court held for Lunenburg County the 12th day of May 1779. The above written last will and Testament of James Crafton deceased and exhibited in court by the executrix and executor therein named and was proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto subscribed which was ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said executrix and executor - who made oath according to law certificate is granted them for obtaining probate of the said will in due form - they giving bond with security entered into and acknowledged Bond for that purpose according to law.

Ellis, William – On 2 January 1829, William wrote his will. The will is as follows.
   In the Name of God Amen. I William Ellis Senr. of the County of Lunenburg being in perfect health and sound mind thanks be to Almighty God for the same, and calling to mind the immortality (sic) of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die: do constitute and ordain this writing to be my last Will and Testament, utterly revoking all other will or wills heretofore made by me in manner and form following (viz)
   Item 1. I lend to my beloved wife Elizabeth Ellis the tract of land whereon we now reside with all the premises and appurtenances thereunto belonging, during her natural life or widowhood.
   Item 2. I lend unto my said wife Elizabeth Ellis five negroes, to wit: Isam, Hall, Amy, Tamer and Tiller, Liddy together with their future increase during her natural life, or widowhood. Also two mares Blaze and Friday, two feather beds and furniture, one Chest, one Desk; six sitting Chairs, pots and ovens that belong to the place, water vessels, and the third part of the plantation tools. Also the third part of the stock of Cattle hogs & Sheep, Also the third part of the knives and forks, the third part of the fowls, the third part of pewter and all kinds of earthenware and Glass ware.
   Item 3. I lend to my son William Ellis jr one negro girl named Masy that he now has in his possession during his life, then to be equally divided among all his children with all her increase. Also the money which I have paid for him.
   Item 4th I give to my daughter Elizabeth Crafton ten dollars to her and her heirs forever.
   Item 5. I give my son in law John Sheffield two dollars to him and his heirs forever.
   Item 6. I give & bequeath to my Grand daughter Suky Sheffield two dollars to her and her heirs forever.
   Item 7. I give to my Grand son John Sheffield two dollars to him & his heirs forever.
    Item 8. I give to my grand Daughter Sally Sheffield Ninety Eight dollars to remain in the hands of my Executor till she becomes of age or marries.
   Item 9. I give to my Grand son William Sheffield Ninety Eight dollars to remain in the hands of my Executor till he arrives to the age of Twenty one.
   Item 10. I give to my Grand son Nicholas Sheffield Ninety Eight dollars to remain in the hands of my Executors till he arrives to the age of twenty one, and then to their heirs forever. Provided either of them my Grand children should die before they arrive to the age of twenty one, I give his or her part to the surviving and to their heirs forever.
   Item 11. I give to my son Calvin Ellis one negro man named Adam to him and his heirs forever.
   Item 12. I give to my Daughter Patsey Robertson ten dollars to her and her heirs forever.
   Item 13. I give to my son John Ellis one negro girl named Abbey and her future increase to him and his heirs forever.
   Item 14th. I give to my son Richard Ellis one negro man named Ryal to him and his heirs forever.
   Item 15. The balance of my Estate, I wish to be sold and all my just debts to be paid, the overplus if any to be equally divided among all my children.
    Item 16 that part of my Estate I lend my wife, after her death to be equally divided among my four sons, namely, William Ellis, Calvin Ellis, John Ellis, & Richard Ellis.
    Item 17. I appoint my beloved friends Pleasant Barnes and Lewelling Hurt Executors to this my last will and Testament. As witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of January 1829.
signed sealed and delivered in William Ellis Sr (seal)
presence of Pleasant Barnes Branch B Beach
William Ellis died on 5 October 1829 and in December his will was presented in court, attested and probated.

Hood, William Jr. – Will: dated 23 Apr 1821; probated 17 Mar 1823; will book 8; page 269; wife Martha Hood; sons Jesse, Richard, Joel, William, Joshua; daughters Martha Hood, Susannah Bates, Nancy Landrum; granddaughters Martha Hood, Frances Anne Hood; Executors Joel Hood, Pleasant Barnes, Joshua Cole; Witnesses Merewether Hurt, Richard Overton, Jeremiah Bates

Staples, Thomas Jr. – His will mentions his wife Judith Staples; sons William staples, Thomas Staples, Stephen Staples; daughters Mary Wilmoth, Elizabeth Malone, Phebe Owen, Judith Malone, Sarah Crafton, Frances Staples. It can be found in Lunenburg County, Virginia will book 2 page 455; written 20 Mar 1777, probated 11 Jun 1777.

Westmoreland County

Atwell Jr., Thomas – will probated 28 Sept 1692; will book page 74A
   Thomas and Susan Pope proved the nunc. will of Thomas Watkins by the oaths of Thomas and Honor Atwell and were granted ?. (pg 410 original record; pg 422)
   Westmoreland Co, VA Order Book pt 3, 1694-1698 pg 69 in reprinted book, pg 199 in original (25 March 1696): "John Pie attorney of William Reyner confessed judgment to Honora Atwell executrix of Thomas Atwell for 608 pounds of tobacco due by account for work done by Thomas in his life tyme for William."
   Westmoreland Co, VA Order Book 1690-1698, Pt 1, 1690-1 to 1692, pg 13 (original will book page 74A): 28 September 1692 "The last will and testament of Thomas Atwell was proved by Thomas Tanner and John Pye and a probate granted Honor Atwell, relict of the decedent, and Thomas Tanner and John Pye assume to indempnifie the Court."
   Westmoreland Co, VA Order Book, 1690-1698, Pt 3, 1694-1698: "Abraham Griffin aged four yeares is by his mother bound apprentice to Thomas Atwell and Ann his wife and Honora their daughter with them to serve until he attained to the age of one and twenty yeares, the which Mary Griffin his mother did in open Court own and declare."

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McLaughlin/McGlocklin
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