Last Will and Testament
John Drewry (d ca. 1801)
Norfolk, Va.

In the name of God amen. I John Drewry of the County of Norfolk and the parish of Saint Brides being in sound mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament. First I recommend my soul unto the hand of Almighty God who first gave it and my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently buried by my executrix hereafter mentioned and as for my temporal estate I desire to sispose of in the following manner.

Impremis. I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Katy Drewry the whole use of my plantation I now live on without interruption untill my son John Drewry comes at age and then I give that part of my plantation where my houses are joining the main road running to a ditch running throe my plantation down to Jamesons Branch during her natural life also a priviledge to cut such timber on any other part of plantation for the use of the said plantation or that part adjoining the main road. I also give unto my wife Katy Drewry one negro man named Epach, one negro man Bash, one negro woman Pember, one negro woman Grace, one negro woman Rachel, one negro woman Pegg and all the stock of creatures, household and kitchen furniture both in and out doors. To her during her natural life excepting what may be hereafter given away. I also give my wife Katy Drewry the use of my whole plantation to cut and sell what timber she shall think proper without interuption during her widowhood.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son John Drewry when he comes at age the other part of my plantation, it being the east end of my plantation also one negro woman named Lydia, one negro boy named Louden, also my gun, one bed and furniture, one cow and calf. I also give and bequeath unto my son John Drewry after the death of his mother the whole of my lands excepting the land lying over the main road, also one negro man Bash to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Drewry when she comes at age or day of marriage, one boy named Harry, one negro woman named Nislet, one negro girl named Zilpah and their increase, one bed and furniture, one cow and calf. I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Drewry after the death of her mother the land lying over the main road but that my son John Drewry to have a convenient way throe the said land to cart to any convenient landing without interuption. I also give unto my daugher Ann Drewry one negro woman named Pegg & my will and desire is that if either of my children before mentioned should lose a negro or negroes that I have given away as legacies, before they come to age to receive them, in such case my desire is that such negro or negroes left to my wife during her natural be replaced as near the value as possible. And for all the rest of my estate not before given away I leave to my wife Katy Drewry during her natural life for supporting and schooling my children and at the death of my wife I leave the negroes and all the rest of my estate left to be equally divided between my two children John & Ann Drewry to them and their heirs forever. I likewise leave my watch to my wife during her and them to my son John Drewry. And if two negroes namely Epach and Grace act as humble dutiful servants to their mistress during her life my desire is that they shall have their freedom and I give each of them an acre land whereever my Execr or Adm r shall think proper to appoint during their natural lives.

And lastly I do nominate and appoint my loving wife Katy Drewry to be my Executrix to this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this fifteenty day of January one thousand eight hundred and one.

Signed sealed and pronounced in the presence of us, William Pollock, Peggy Pollock, Nathaniel Pollock.

At a court held for Norfolk County July the 20th 1801.

The last will and testament of John Drewry decd ws proved by the oaths of William Pollock, Nathl. Pollock, witensses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Katy Drewry the executrix therein named who made oath thereto and together with William Pollock, and Edward Whitehurst her securities entered into and acknowledged there bond in the penalty of six thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs. Certificate is granted her for obtaining a probat thereof in due form.

Teste: Wm. Wilson, Jr. CofC

John Drewry