The Will of Sir George Yeardley, Knight

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. The twelfth day of October one thousand six hundred twenty-seven, I, Sir George Yeardley being weak and sick in body, but perfect in mind and memory, God be praised, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First and principally, I render and commend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God, my Creator and Redeemer, hoping assuredly through the only merits of Jesus Christ, my Savior, to be made partaker of everlasting life. And, I commend my body to the earth whereof it was made and formed, in full hope and assurance of the resurrection of the saints at the last day of judgement. And as concerning my temporal estate, which the Lord, of His great Goodness, hath bestowed on me, I give, demise and bequeath the same in manner following. And as touching my wife, Temperance, I give and bequeath to her all and every part and parcel of all such household stuff, plate, linen, woolen or any other goods, movable or immovable, of what nature or quality so ever as to me belonging, and which now at the time of the date hereof, are being and remaining within this house in James City, wherein I now dwell.

Item- As touching and concerning all the rest of ay whole estate, consisting of good debts, chattels, servants, cattle or any other thing or things, commodities or profits whatsoever to me belonging and appertaining either here in this country of Virginia, in England or elsewhere, together with ay plantation of one thousand acres of land at Stanly in Warwick River, my will and desire is that the same be, all and every parcel thereof, sold to the best advantage for tobacco, and the same be transported as soon as maybe, either this year or the next, as my said wife shall find occasion, into England and there to be sold and turned into money, together with all such money or monies as is, or shall be due unto me in England to be joined and put into one full and total stock or sum to be divided into three equal parts or portions, whereby one equal part thereof I give and bequeath unto my said wife, and one other equal part thereof to my eldest son, Argoll Yeardley, and the other equal part thereof unto my son Francis Yeardley, and my daughter Elizabeth Yeardley, to be equally divided betwixt them both. And if it shall fortune the said Argoll to die before he come to the age of one and twenty years, then the said Francis and Elisabeth to enjoy his, the said Argoll's part and portion equally between them. But if it shall otherwise please God either said Francis or Elizabeth to depart this life before the age of one and twenty years, then my will is that the said Argoll shall solely enjoy his or her part or portion. And if in case it should so happen all of them to die as aforesaid, then my will is that my wife shall have and enjoy all their said parts and portions.

And my will is that my son, Argoll, shall have and hold all his lands and dividends of land, except my plantation before mentioned, in any sort or by any right or title to me belonging and appertaining, either here in Virginia, or elsewhere, and to have and to hold the same to him and his heirs forever.

And I will, and my mind and desire further, is that my said wife shall have the custody and keeping of the said Argoll and Francis, and of their portions until they be of age of one and twenty years. and of the said Elizabeth, until she be of the age of one and twenty years or until the time of her marriage, desiring that great care be had for the governance, education and bringing up of the said children in fear of God, of which I sate no doubt.

And it it shall so happen that my said wife shall marry after my decease, then my will and intent is that she do first find sufficient security to be bound in the double value of the said children's portions unto such aa be of my kindred in England tor the true payment of the said peraons according as they shall be due.

And lastly, I make and ordain my said wife full and sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

George Yeardley [seal]

This will was read openly by the said George Yeardley, whereunto he subscribed and sealed it declaring the same to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us, Abraham Piercy- Susanna Lyall- William Clayborne

CODICIL

Be it known that whereas I, Sir George Yeardley, Knight, have made my last will and testament in writing, bearing date the twelfth day of October and by the same have given unto my son, Argoll Yeardley, all such lands and dividents as are belonging to me in this colony of Virginia, except my plantation at Stanly, as by the same doth further appear. Now, for as much as I have changed my mind touching the said lands and houses to me appertaining and being situated within the Island of James City, my will now is that my wife shall make sale of all the said lands and houses within the Island of James City to the best advantage and profit, and the same be added to the whole sum of my estate as is in my said will devised.

And for and concerning all other things in my said will mentioned, I do by this present codicil confirm and ratify the said will.

In witness whereof to this present codicil, I subscribe my name the twenty-ninth of October, 1627.

George Yeardley

Signed in presence of

William Clayborne