recorded 11 March 1779
Source: Southampton Co., Virginia, Will Book 3, 1772-1782,
pp. 256-58, Reel 16, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, transcribed by
Donald Milton Ricks, verbatim.
[The estate inventory and appraisal,
Reel 16, pp. 281-83, contains a listing of property but not additional
Ricks genealogical information; however, slaves are named and valued. Mister
Ricks was a wealthy man and gave most of his estate to his nephews. Inventory
items listed are clearly written and easily read. This final document was
signed 13 May 1779 and submitted at the Southampton County March court
in 1779 by Lewis Joiner Jr., Isaac Williams, and John Johnson; returned
and ordered recorded 12 August 1779 by Sam Kello, clerk of court.]
[p. 256]
In the name of God Amen I Richard Ricks of the Parish of Nottoway
in the County of Southampton being of sound and disposing mind and memory
do make and ordain this writing as my last will and testament.
First I give and devise to my loving wife Ann Ricks the plantation
whereon I now live and reside with all the lands adjoining thereto which
are contained in a survey or plott left by me in the hands of my executors
supposed by me to contain four hundred and eighteen acres and denoted &
discribed in the said plott by No. 3 I also give and devise to my said
wife Ann one other parcel of land adjoining the above Supposed by me to
contain one hundred and twenty and five acres being one moity or half part
of two hundred and fifty acres denoted in the said plott No. 1 and divided
by the line from a mulberry tree in the old field by Richard Rickss line
and a line of marked trees to a pine, also one large Copper Kettle all
my hogsheads and Barrrels my still Cap and worm for and during the term
of her natural life.
[p. 257]
I also give to my said wife Ann the following Negros to wit. Robin
Toney Ned Moses Beck Edy & her children Patience Esther & Jone
and their increase also one bell metal Kittle one horse called little bay
four cows and calves one mare called flower & her colt two small stears
ten head of sheep four sows and piggs the two best feather beds and furniture
that are in the hous one large one large Black trunk & two gilt trunks
Also one moity or half part of my houshold and kitchen furniture and plantation
implements in such articles thereof as she shall choose according to the
appraised value thereof likewise meat corn & salt sufficient for the
support of her & her family the ensuing seasons to her and her heirs
and assigns forever. It is my will that the devises and bequests in this
my will to my wife be considered in lieu and satisfaction of any dower
she may claim to any part of my estate real or personal. Also I give devis
and bequeath to my Nephew Richard Ricks one tract or parcel of land containing
three hundred acres granted to me by patent bounded and described in the
aforesaid plott and denoted by No. 5 also after the death of my wife
I give to my said nephew Richard Ricks the plantation and lands whereon
I now live supposed to contain four hundred & eighteen acres and denoted
in the plott aforesaid No. 3 likewise one moiety or half part of one other
tract or parcel of land containing [one] hundred [inserted "twenty &
five"] acres bounded in the plott or survey afforesaid and denoted
therein No. 1 being the same herein devised to my wife during life together
with all the things I have already possessed him with to him and to his
heirs and assigns forever. Also I give and to my nephew Joseph Ricks one
tract or parcel of land containing one hundred and twenty and five acres
being the other moiety or half part of the two hundred and fifty acres
herein particularly Described and bound in the survey or plott aforesaid
and denoted therein No. 1. Also the sum of three hundred pounds current
money to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. Also I give and devise
to Samuel Ricks son of my nephew Thomas Ricks one tract or parcel of land
supposed to contain four hundred seventy & five acres and bounded as
described in the aforesaid plott and denoted therein by No. 4 to him and
to his heirs & assigns forever. Also I give to Robert Ricks and John
Ricks sons of my nephew Thomas Ricks the sum of hundred pounds current
money to equally divided between them or their heirs. Also I give and divise
to my to my [sic] nephews Thomas Ricks Robert Ricks Richard Ricks and
Joseph Ricks my fishing place on the Notoway river in Nancemond County
with the lands adjoining all the priviledges thereunto anexed purchased
by one of Richard Williams to hold to my said nephews Thomas Robert Richard
& Joseph Ricks and to the survivors of them their heirs & assigns
forever.
Also I give and devis to my nephews Robert Ricks & Richard Ricks
after the death of my wife my still pott cap and worm to hold to my said
nephews Robert Ricks & Richard Ricks and to the survivor or survivors
of them their heise [sic] and assigns forever.
Also I give and devise to my niece Ann Jones one Negro Girl Hannah
to her and to her heirs and assigns forever.
Also I give and bequeath to my niece Mary Ricks after the death
of my wife one large copper Kittle to her and her heirs.
Also I give and bequeath to my nephews Robert Ricks and Richard
Ricks after the death of my wife all my hogsheads and Barrels to be equally
divided between them.
Also It is my will and desire that the leasehold lands and the interest
and term yet to come in the lands leased by me of the trustees of the Nottoway
Indians continue and remain in the possession of my executors hereafter
named also that all my negros ecepting thos already devised by this my
will in like manner together with three work horses two cows and calves
the the plantation utensils now on the place and meat corn and salt sufficing
for the support the ensuing seasons be by my said executors kept and retained
in there possession for the use and purpose of the occupying and tilling
of the aforesaid lease hold and it is my will and intention and my said
executors are hereby empowerd and directed yearly or one every year during
the term of the said lease yet to come to make an equal distributor after
deducting the rent charge and other necessary expenses of all the profits
thereon or thereby annually arising between the following persons (to wit)
Thomas Ricks Robert Ricks Richard Ricks Joseph Ricks Mary Ricks Milisent
Ricks and Ann Ricks children of my brother Robert Ricks Decd. I also give
and devise to the aforementioned Thomas Ricks Robert Ricks Richard Ricks
Joseph Ricks Mary Ricks Milisent Ricks and Ann Ricks after after the expiration
of the term and time yet to come in the lease hold lands aforesaid all
my negros excepting those given to my wife and Ann Jones to hold to the
said Thomas Ricks Robert Ricks Richard Ricks Joseph Ricks Mary Ricks Milisent
Ricks and Ann Ricks and to the survivors or survivor of them their heirs
and assigns forever.
Also all the rest and residue & remainder of my estate of what
nature or kind soever whether real personal or mixt and whatsoever the
same may be either in possession remainder or revisor. I hereby direct
my executors to sell at publick auction giving due and publick notice of
such sale to the highest bidder s on a credit of ninety months from my
death hereby authorising my said executors to pass sufficient deeds for
such lands as may not be devised by this my will, purchasers and the money
arising for such sales I give to be equally divided between the following
persons to wit Thomas Ricks Robert Ricks Richard Ricks Joseph Ricks Mary
Ricks Milisent Ricks and Ann Ricks Children of my Brother Robert Ricks
deceased to them and to their heirs and assigns.
I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends John Thomas Blow and
William Thomas and my nephews Robert Ricks Richard Ricks and Joseph Ricks
executors of this my last will and testament in testimony whereof I have
hereunto put my hand & affixed my seal this second day of September
one thousand seven hundred Seventy & eight.
Richard Ricks [seal]
Signed Sealed pulished and declared by the within Richard Ricks as his last will & testament in the presence of us
Isaac Williams
Thomas Curney
his mark
Richard X Johnson
his mark
John X Bedgood
At a court held for the county of Southampton the 11 day of March 1779 This will was presented in Court by the Exors therein named And proved by the oaths of Isaac Williams & John Bedgood the witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the Executors who made oath according to law certificate is granted them for obtaining a probat thereof in due form giving security whereuopn & C.
Sam Kello Ct
