The Will of Thomas Wythe

Will of Thomas Wythe (3), father of George Wythe

In the name of God Amen. I Thomas Wythe being sick & weak but of sound & perfect mind & memory do make & ordain this my las will & testament. Imp's¹ I give to my Loving Wife one half of the plantation where I now dwell during her natural Life.

Item I give to my said Loving wife Seven Negroes viz't² Tom Mercury Peter Sampson Phillis Jinny & Jack during her natural life & after her death the said negroes with their increase to be equaly divided among my Surviving Children.

Item I give the remaining part of my Negroes except those hired out to Rob't Ballard of York to be equally divided between my children Tho's Wythe George Wythe & Ann Wythe. The division not to be made 'til one of my children be married or arrive to the age of Eighteen Years. My will is that the said Negroes be not appraised but that the said Negroes themselves with their increase be equally divided as above. Having leas'd certain Negroes to Rob't Ballard for Nine Years from the date of the said lease I give after the expiration of the said lease to my Nephew Matthew Ballard (provided a Debt due to Col. Digge & one other Debt to Major Lightfoot being first satisfied out of the rents) all those Negroes so leased & their increase & to the Heirs of his body & for want of such Heires then to be equally divided between my children. I appoint my Loving Brother James Wallace to receive yearly the rent of the said Negroes & to apply the same for discharding the Debts afores'd & after these Debts are satisfied I give the rent to my Lov'g Mother Ann Wallace to the end of the said lease. I give to my Lov. Wife the chaise³ & one of my horses.