AAFA Wills
WILL OF JOHN ALFORD

In the name of God Amen I, John Alford of New Kent County in St. Peters Parish lying sick and weak in body but in perfect mind and memory I do make and ordain this my last will and testament, but first of all I commit my soul to God that gave it and my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and as touching such Worldly goods as it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me will all in this life after my funeral charges and debts paid I give and dispose in manner and form following__Imprimis I order that all my just Debts be paid.

Item I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Elizabeth Alford all my land and plantation which I am possessed with in New Kent County in St. Peters Parish to her and her heirs of her body lawfully begotten and so from heir to heir forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Unity and Charity Alford all my land and plantation lying in Henrico County to be equally divided between them to them and their heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten and so from heir to heir forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my three daughters, Elizabeth, Unity, and Charity and to be equally divided among them when either of them arrives at the age of eighteen years or marriage my nine negroes and their increase viz. Tom, Jack, Jemmy, Sue, Bess, Lucy, Sam, Charles, Jenny, to them and their heirs lawfully begotten and so from heir to heir to all posterity.

Item my will is that if my daughter Elizabeth should die without issue lawfully begotten then her estate is to be equally divided between my two daughters Unity and Charity to them and their heirs lawfully begotten of their own bodies and so from heir to heir forever, and if either of my two daughters Unity and Charity should either of them die without heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten, then my will is that their estate should be equally divided between the Survivors of them to them and their heirs lawfully begotten and so from heir to heir to all posterity.

Item I give and bequeath to my loving wife Grace all the rest of my estate be it of what nature or quality soever within doors or without moveables or immoveables and I do appoint and ordain my loving wife Grace whole and sole Exex of this my last will and testament making void and null all other former wills and testaments declaring this to be my last will and testament and no other.

In witness whereof I do set my hand and seal this first day of May 1726.

John Alford L.S.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us

John Scott

George W. Walton

Robert Walton

The will of John Alford dated 1 May 1726, was probated by Grace Alford, Executrix, in New Kent County on 9 June 1726. A copy of Alford’s will was presented as evidence in Charlotte County Court on 6 October 1784 (Order Book 5, p. 220). The parties represented in this "In Detinue" case were David Bates by James Bates his guardian, plaintiff, and Joseph Fuqua, his guardian, defendant.