will of James Davis, King George county 1808
In the name of God, I, James Davis of King George County in the state of Virginia, conscious of the uncertainty of human life, do hereby propose to make my last will and testament as follows: I give and devise to my wife, Catherine and her heirs, 2 beds, 5 head of cattle and one negro girl named Fanny, bought by me out of William Shropshire's estate; and it is my further desire that all the negros and other articles of personal estate which came by her,as her dower of the said Shropshire estate, or otherwise, as may be forthcoming at the time of my death, remain to the use of her and her legal representatives.
Item. I give and devise to my grandson James Davis and his hers the tract of land bought by me of Zachariah Elkins containing 50 acres.
Item: I give and devise to my grandson George Bullard during his natural life all the rest of the land whereof I shall die siezed, he paying to his sister Mary Rolley the sum of one hundred dollars within 2 years of my death; and to his brother Reuben Bullard the further sum of one hundred dollars within 4 years of my death. And in case my said grandson George Bullard leave lawful issue at the time of his death, then I give and devise the said residue of my land to the child or children, as he case may be, of the said George Bulard, and to his, her, or heir heirs forever.
Item; I give and devise to my grandchildren George Bullard, Reuben Bullard and Mary Roley my negro man named Ben to them and their heirs, in equal proportions.
item: I give and devise to my grandchildren James Doniphan, Joel Doniphan, George Doniphan, Alexander Doniphan, Mott Doniphan and Mary Doniphan and their legal representatives all the rest of my negros and other estates of every kind and description whatever to be divided amongst them in equal proportions.
Lastly I appoint Lawrence Berry and Theodosius Harmon for executors of this my last will and testament, wherby revoking all others which may have been heretofore made by me.