Transcription of the King George County, Virginia 1769 will of William Payne is true to the original (except for highlighting of names) as transcribed by Linda Sparks Starr November 2005.  Copied from the Library of Virginia Microfilm Reel 13, the will is located in Will Book 1 1752-1780, pages 301- 303. 

In the Name of God amen I William Payne of the County of King George, being weak of Body, but in my perfect Senses, do thus make make my last will and Testament and dispose of my Temporal Effects.  

First it is my will and desire that my whole Estate be kept together in order to raise my Children which I have had by my now present wife Mary. But in Case my said wife Mary should marry again, it is my desire that my Estate be equally divided amongst my Children by my said wife Mary. And if my wife should marry, It is my desire That that part of my Estate which the Law allows her 

302    be equally divided amongst my children by the said wife Mary at her death.

Secondly It is my will and desire that my youngest Son Lewis have Thirty Shillings extraordinary out of my Estate to be applied to the further Education of my said Son Lewis.

Thirdly It is my will and desire that my Daughter Lettice shall have one of the Feather Beds up Stairs, which ever of them my wife Mary shall please to give her.  Fourthly It is my will and desire that no Legacies be given out of my Estate except what I have given in my lifetime and that after my decease my Estate be appraised and Inventoried according to Law.  Lastly It is my will and desire, that my wife Mary and  my Son William, be my only and sole Executors of this my last will and Testament and I do appoint my said wife Mary and Son William Executors accordingly; And I further declare void and revoke all other will or wills by me made, before and preceeding the date of this. 

Witness my Hand this Eighteenth Day of 
November 1769	 					            his
Signed Sealed Published Etc.	}				William  X   Payne      Seal
Declared in the presence of	}				           mark			
              his		
George    X     Curtis,      Thomas Payne
             mark

303		At a Court held for King George County the 3d Day of May 1770
The last will and Testament of William Payne deced was presented into Court by Mary Payne widow of the said William Payne, and William Payne Son of the sd William Payne deced the Executrix and Executor therein named; And the said William refusing to take upon him any part of the Burthen and Execution thereof, whereupon the said  Mary made Oath thereto according to Law and the same being proved by the Oaths of the witnesses thereto subscribed is admitted to Record and on the motion of the said Mary, She performing what the Law in such cases require, Certificate is granted her for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form.
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