Webb, Merry Wenn

MERRY WEBB, SENIOR of Pittsylvania County, Parish of Camden, being sick and weak. Will dated Feb. 6, 1774 To loving wife Elizabeth during life or widowhood three Negroes Robin, peter and Jane,all horses, cattle and hogs. At death of wife, Negroes to be equally divided between Merry Webb, John Webb, Mary Burns, Elizabeth Sams and Lucy Webb. If Elizabeth Sams dies without issue, then to others Martin Webb, 1 sh. and no more. Daughter Million Hall the tract of land she now lives on. Daughter Lucy Webb, two Negro girls Sarah and Aggy. If Lucy dies without issue, to my sons and daughters Merry Webb, John Webb, Mary Burns, Elizabeth Sams and Lucy Webb.Son Merry Webb, one Negro boy Lewis, Son John Webb, one Negro boy Joe, Daughter Mary Burns, one Negro boy Lewis, daughter Elizabeth Sams, one Negro boy Ben. My lands should be sold together with my mill. Daughter Lucy Webb, one feather bed Wife Elizabeth Webb all estate not before disposed of and after her death, to my two sons Merry and John and three daughters. Wife Elizabeth executrix and sons Merry Webb and John Webb executors Merry Webb Wit: Will Tunstall, George Elliott, John (his mark) Ray.Feb. 15, 1779, exhibited by Elizabeth Webb and Merry Webb who gave bond with Waters Dunn,John Alexander and Phillip Ryan their securities. Merry Webb Sr. born Circa 1695-1700, married Circa 1720, Elizabeth. Merry died abt 02,1779, Henry County, Virginia, buried: 02,1779, Henry County, Virginia. Family Record By Calvin Alexander Burns August 6, 1894 Pages 3 & 4. Henry & Lexer Grant Burns By Cranford H. Burns 1974/1988 Pages 5-11,17-19, 21 & 22. Henry County VA Will Abstracts Vol. 1 Page 17. "Jett Trails West" chapter 8 Pages 93-98. Wealthy land owner in Colonial Virginia. 1st Reference in Virginia 06-12-1729. His wife Elizabeth born Circa 1705, died After 1789, buried: After 1789. Family Record By Calvin Alexander Burns August 6, 1894. Henry & Lexer Grant Burns By Cranford H. Burns 1974/1988. See 2nd source daughter Millian Webb Hall says her last name was Martin. Halifax County was created in 1752 from Lunenburg County. Pittsylvania County was created from Halifax County in 1767. Henry County was created from Pittsylvania County in 1776. Merry Webb Sr. lived in three different counties but never moved his residence. He was a resident of the area near Wart Mountain when the inhabitants of the area petitioned for a road from Hickey''s Road near the plantation of Merry Webb. The Parish of Antrim was created at the same time and included the same bounds. Merry''s will, dated 6 February 1774, mentions his wife Elizabeth and most of his children. The Children include; James, Merry, Martin, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Lucy, and Millian. Martha is not mentioned in the will. Several negro slaves are willed to his children. It also mentions land''s that are to be sold, including a mill. Henry County, Virginia will book I., 1779-1799. Inventory 9 August 1779. Elizabeth Webb, widow, and sons Merry and John were named executors of the will of Merry Webb. The lands of Merry Webb Sr. were sold 3 September 1781 by Elizabeth Webb and Merry Webb. There was no mention of John Webb, who was included as executor, which indicates to me that John Webb was no longer in the area. Last Will & Testament of Merry Webb
February 6, 1774 Last Will and Testament of Merry Webb---I lend to my dear-and loving wife, Elizabeth, during her natural life or widowhood, three Negroes, to wit: Robin, Peter and Jane, with the increase of the said Jane, together with all my stock of horses, cattle and hogs. And after the decease of my said wife, Elizabeth, my will and desire is that the Negroes Robin, Peter and Jane, together with the increase of the said Negro Jane, and the stocks of all kinds be equally divided betweeen Merry Webb, John Webb, Mary Burns, Elizabeth Sams and Lucy Webb. And, in case, my said daughter, Elizabeth Sams should die without issure, then her part to be equally divided between the said Merry, John, Mary Burns and Lucy Webb to them-and their heirs forever.

Item: I give unto my son, Martin Webb, one shilling and no more.
Item: I give unto my daughter, Martha Dillard, one shilling and no more.
Item: I give unto my daughter Million Hall, one shilling and no more.
I given unto my daughter Million Hall, the tract of land she now lives on to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my daughter, Lucy Webb, two Negro girls named Sara and Aggy, with their increase to her--and to her heirs, lawfully begotten, and in case my daughter Lucy dies without issue, then I give the same unto my sons and daughters--namely, Merry Webb, John Webb, Mary Burns, Elizabeth Sams. I give same
to my daughter Elizabeth Sams., to wit: as a proportionate part of my other children, provided she have issue.
Item: I give unto my, son Merry Webb, one Negro girl named Hannah, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my son, John Webb, one Negro boy called Joe, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my daughter, Mary Burns, one Negro boy called Lewis, to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my daughter, Elizabeth Sams, one Negro boy called Ben, to her and her heirs of her body, lawfully begotten.
Item: My will and desire is that all my lands should be sold, together with my mill, and the money arising here from, shall be equally divided between my sons, Merry Webb, John Webb and between my three daughter, Mary Burns, Elizabeth Sams and Lucy Webb; in case my daughter Elizabeth Sams shoul die without
issue, then her part to be equally divided between the survivors.
Item: I give unto my daughter, Lucy Webb, one feather bed to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my dear and loving wife, Elizabeth Webb, during her natural life, all my estate not before disposed of , and after her deceases, I give it to ge equally divided between my two sons, Merry and John Webb, my daughters, Mary Burns, Elizabeth Sams and Lucy Webb-and in case, my daughter Elizabeth Sams should die without issue, then I give the same to the survivors to be equally divided, between them. Lastly, I do appoint my wife, Elizabeth, Executrix and my two sons, Merry Webb and John Webb, Executors. Revoking all other wills by me hertofore made, in witness wherof, I have herunto set hand and affixed my seal, the sixth day of February, One Thousand Seven Hunderd and Seventy-Four.

/s/ Merry Webb

Witnesses:

Will Tunstall
George Elliott
John (x) Ray
At a Court held for Henry County, Virginia, on the 15th day of February, 1779, the within Executrix, Elizabeth Webb, and Merry Webb, the Executor, presented the within Last Will and Testament of Merry Webb, Deceased, and with Waters, Dunn, John Alexander and Phillip Ryan, their securities, entered into bond.

/s/ John Cox, Clerk, Henry Co.

Will Book 1, pages 17-18
Henry County Circuit Court
Martinsville, VA 24112