Will of Nathan Harris; Will Book 1, pages 236-238, Greenville County, Virginia:

“In the name of God, Amen, I, Nathan Harris of the County of Greenville, in the State of Virginia, etc. First: It is my will and desire my executors hereafter mentioned, should out of my estate liquidate and pay all my just debts. Secondly: I give and bequeath unto my sons, Walton, Nathan and Howell Harris, ten shillings each to them and their heirs. Thirdly: I give and bequeath to my son Isaac Harris after the death of his mother, Catherine Harris, one Negro man Sharper to him and his heirs forever. Fourthly: I give and bequeath to my grandchildren, Elizabeth Hoard, Harris Coleman, Catherine Coleman, Polly Hargroe, and John Coleman, all the claim, right and title I have to a Negro Woman named Sarah and all her increase, it being the Negro woman of which my son-in-law Daniel Coleman was in possession of at his death, etc. Fifthly: I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Williams, one Negro woman named Doll. Sixthly: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Allen all the claim and right I have to a Negro named Cyrus, etc. Seventhly: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anna and John Patrick two Negroes, named Will and Peggy, etc. Eighthly: I give and bequeath unto my son Hubbard Harris one Negro named Bob, also my still, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, Etc. Ninthly: I give and bequeath unto my grandson Thomas Camp Harris, two Negroes named Archerand Woodley (that is to say) provided that he should arrive to the age of 21 years, or should my grandson Thomas Camp Harris intermarry under the age of 21 years and die leaving lawful issue that then his heirs shall forever enjoy the aforesaid Negroes, provided never-the-less the said Thomas Camp Harris is hereby debarred from commencing or causing to be commenced and suit of law or equity at law against Anna Patrick or John Patrick husband of Anna Patrick for to recover Will, a Negro man herein before bequeathed to said Anna and John Patrick, under forfeiture of the two Negroes herein bequeathed to him; etc. Tenthly: It is my express will and desire that the two Negroes Archer and Wood ley heretofore bequeathed to my grandson Thomas Camp Harris, should be hired out annually for him, etc. Eleventhly: I give and bequeath to my two grandsons orphans of David Harris, deceased, namely, Peter and John Harris, all the claim, right and title I have to a Negro man named Cruff, of which David Harris was possessed of at his death, etc. Twelfthly: I give and bequeath unto my wife Catherine Harris three Negroes, named Boston, Sue, and Lucy, also one bed and furniture, and I lend to her during her natural life one Negro man Sharper, heretofore bequeathed to Isaac Harris, also her mare and saddle she usually rides, I also lend to her during her natural life one Negro girl named Rhoda. Thirteenthly: It is my will and desire that the aforementioned legacies are dispensed with or taken and paid out of my estate, that all the residue and remainder of my estate of every dimension, whatsoever shall be sold by my executors and the money arising therefrom shall be equally divided amongst all my then living children. Fourteenthly: And lastly I do nominate and appoint Howell Harris, Hubbard Harris, and William Vaughan of Brunswick my whole and sole executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13 day of April one thousand seven hundred and ninety three. Nathan Harris (Seal).

Signed sealed and devivered in presence of us Ceciley Roper, Bolling (Long)Bottom. At Court of Greenville County Virginia, October Term 1793,this will was proven according to law by the Oaths of Bolling (Long)Bottom and Rebecca (Long)Bottom,* witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of Howell Harris one of the executors therein named who made oath thereto according to law and together with Braxton Robinson and Daniel Walton, his secureties entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of one thousand pounds, etc. Teste P. Pelham, Clerk of Court.

*Children of William longbottom. November 21, 1749: William Longbottom of Albemarle Parish and Jones Longbottom of the same to John Rochelle of the same for 30 pounds … 2 acres in Albemarle Parish on south side of Nottoway River adjoining Roberts (being land that was surveyed for William Longbottom, decd., and given in his will to William Longbottom and Jones Longbottoms. Wit: John Curtis, James Chappell, Jr. and Charles Briggs. (Surry County Deed Book 6, page 21).

“In the name of God, Amen. I, William Longbottom of the county of Sussex being sick & weak in body but a sound mind and disposing memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament first and principally and I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named. Imprimis my will and desire is that my wife Rebecah Long Bottom do have the full use of the plantation whereon I now live containing one hundred and twenty five acres during her natural Life. I likewise lend all of my said wife all my personal Estate during her life except so much thereof as I shall hereafter give to my children. ItemI give to my son Jones Long Bottom one gray mare to him and his heirs forever also the Land whereon I now live at his Mother’s Death to him and his heirs..Item I give to my sons Samuel & Bolling Long Bottom and Martha Seat, Rebecca Pare and Amey Stokes the sum of five shillings to them and their heirs. Item I give to my sons Harwood and Jones Long Bottom all the personal estate that I have heretofore Lent my wife to be evenly divided between them and if it shall be hereafter that either of them shud die without Heirs before there Mother my desire is that the other to have the hole. And lastly I do nominate and appoint Harwood Long Bottom and John Massenburg my Executors of this my Last will and Testament. In witness, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day July 1796. William Longbottom”.

Sealed in Presence of Robert Pettway and William Prince At a court held for Sussex County the 2nd day of January 1800. The Last will and Testament of William L. Bottom decd was presented into Court by Harwood L. Bottom one of the executors therein named the same was proved by the oath of Robert Pettway one of the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on Motion of said executor who made oath & Gave Bond agreeably to Law Certificate is Granded him for obtaining a probate thereof In due form. Teste James C. Bailey, Clk.

William Longbottom married Rebecca Harwood. Their daughter, Rebecca, born December 6, 1759, was the witness, with her brother, Bolling, born January 11, 1764, of the LWT of Nathan Harris. Bolling’s Godparents were Robert Land, Charles Barham, and Elisa Williams. (Register of Albemarle Parish, page 60). Bolling married Rebecca Williams, December 24, 1788, Philip Williams was surety, and can be assumed to be the brother-in-law of Jane (Harris) Williams, daughter of Nathan.

Thomas Harwood, son of Joseph and Agnes (Cocke) Harwood, resided in Westover Parish. Thomas was a legatee of the will of his grandfather’s second wife, Margaret, who left him 4,000 pounds of tobacco in her will of 12 August 1718. Thomas was dead in Charles City Co. by June 1737 when, on the deposition of his son, Samuel Harwood, the court ordered Samuel Harwood to produce the will of Maj. Samuel Harwood. James Eppes and (his brother-in-law) Benjamin Harris reported estate accounts for Thomas Harwood November 1738. His widow married second by September 1739 Isaac Hill.

Joseph Harwood, son of Joseph and Agnes (Cocke) Harwood, got 330 acres in Isle of Wight County 12 March 1739. He and his wife, Sarah, were the parents of nine children whose births are in the Albemarle Parish Register, inc. Rebecca Harwood, 27 May 1733.

Philip Harwood, probable son of Joseph and Agnes (Cocke) Harwood made a Will in Sussex County leaving his wife, Rebecca, land for life and naming two living sons, David and Daniel Harwood. Because his son Philip Harwood was already dead, the elder Philip left 180 acres to his daughter Ann Bell Harwood. He named also granddaughter Sarah Long (will dated 19 June 1776, recorded 15 Jan. 1778). Daniel Harwood (22 April 1748 -1796) married Ann Barham, and they were the parents of two children whose births are in the Albemarle Parish Register. Ann was the daughter of Thomas Barham who gave one slave to his “son-in-law Daniel Harwood for love and affection” in September 1776. Mary Harwood was probably a daughter of Philip Harwood. Charles Barham and his wife Mary had a daughter, Mary (Barham) Harwood. In June 1769, Charles and Mary Barham sold 75 acres on Poplar Swamp to Thomas Barham.

Halifax County Deed Books: 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. 1759-1767.

Page 70. 7 August 1759: William Harris of Lunenburg Co. to John Camp of same, for  50 pounds, 400 acres, part of a tract patented by said Harris 15 December 1758 of 820 acres, beginning at Sizemore’s corner pine thence south … Buckner Stith’s corner … a dividing line running south … all houses, orchards, trees, etc. Signed: Wm. Harris Witness: C. Read Jr., R. Wooding, Paul Carrington, Mat. Marable. William Harris was of Finney Wood.

Page 199. 13 September 1764: William Harris of Lunenburg County to John Camp of same, for 30 pounds, 400 acres, part of a tract granted by patent 15 December 1758 containing 820 acres, beginning at Sizemore’s corner thence south … Buckner Stith’s corner … all house, orchards, gardens, fences … signed: William Harris. Witness: Mat. Marable, John Coleman, Edward Wade, Armd. Watlington. Rec. 20 September 1764.

John Wilburn, Will proved 3 July 1758. Executors: John Camp, William Harris. Witnesses: William Harris, Richard Hudson, Hugh Mackvay. (W.B. 1, p. 222).

In 1762, the estate of John Wilburn was brought to court by William Harris, and the estate paid out to John Cox; Hampton Wade; Roger Atkinson; Jacob Royster; Clement Reade; Gray Briggs; William Newsum; William Harris; John Ragsdale; Mackerness Goode, for resurveying John Wilburn’s land.

1 Dec. 1761: William Harris of Lunenburg Co. to John Smith of Amelia Co. 500 a. both sides middle fork of Bluestone Creek.Wit: Abram Crowder; Peter Hamlin; Benjamin Ragsdale; rec: 1 Dec. 1761; Frances (Goode) wife of William Harris rel. dower. (Land in St. James Parish, became Mecklenburg).

8 Jul. 1771: John Smith of Co. of Meck. to Andrew Gregory of same, 60 pd 244 a.; w side of Kettle Creek, the same being part of the tract of land that said Smith purchased of Stephen Evans Jr. bounded by lines of Daniel Coleman,* James Hall & the sd Kettle Creek. Ack. by John Smith, 8 July 1777. (Meck. B. 3, pp. 177-178). *Son-in-law of Nathan Harris.

Lunenburg County Road Orders, 1746-1764: William Hardin, William Hardwick, Charles Harris, Edward Harris, George Harris, Maynard Harris, Samuel Harris, William Harris, William Harris (Finney Wood), Benjamin Harrison, John Harvie, Thomas Harvie.

6 May 1771. Char Co. B. 2, p. 474: Sherwood Walton (m. Ann Goode) is appointed surveyor of the Road from the Nine mile tree to the four mile Tree and it is ordered that he together with the male Labouring Tythes belonging to Lewis Dupree, Nathaniel Williams, John Williams, George Combs, John Hayes, Josiah Vaughn, Edward Harris, Stephen Harris, Edward Harris Jr., Maynard Harris, David Harris, William Hammons, David Gibson and George Gibson, do forthwith clear and keep the same in repair according to Law.

Wm. Goode to examine Anne Walton for dower relinquishment, 6 Jan.1762 (Halifax Co. Deed Books 2-6, 1759-1767, p. 35). 1 June 1762, Cornelius Cargill, Lydall Bacon, Mathew Marabel, & Wm. Goode Gent. or any two of them, ordered to examine Anne, wife of Sherwood Walton and receive relinquishment of right of dower in 170 acres. Signed: Mat Marable, Wm Goode (ibid.).

Will B. 2, p. 215 – Lunenburg Co.: John Comer, deceased, division of estate between Annis Sammons, widow of the deceased, William Comer, Elizabeth (Comer) Lucas, Daniel Comer, Samuel Comer, Annis Comer. Made 9 Dec. 1762 by your commissioners Sherwood Walton, John Cox, Charles Sullivant and Valentine Brown.

I think that comment would be superfluous.

There are quite a few square pegs that have been shaved to fit in round holes.

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