Joseph Palmer's Will
In the name of god amen March the 26th 1703. I Joseph Palmer Sen of Wiccomocco Parish County of Northumberland and colony of Virg.A cooper being in perfect memory and reason. Praised be to god for it I make this my last will and testament in the manner of the following.That is to say first and principally I bequeath my soule unto the hands of my heavenly father hoping through the meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ my only saviour and redeemer to recevie full pardon and forgiveness from all my
sins and offenses and my body I commit to the earth from where it was taken to be interred in Christian baryall at the direction of my wife ..That parsell of land called the little house from the head of the xxx from the
co xxxto a marked persimmon tree standing in the old field then to a marked small spanish oak and from thence strait to Henry mayse. I do give and bequeath to my son John Palmer. and to his heirs lawfully begotten by his body forever...I leave my plantation I now live on from the land I have givin my son John to a ceder post standing in the old field and from there to the head of little branch to Thomas Downings line I give to my son Joseph and his heirs lawfully begotten by his body forever. That part of my land on the east side of the church from the land I have given to my son Joseph to the of Thomas and George Downing I give to my son Thomas Palmer and his heires lawfully begotton by his body forever. The rest of my land on the west side of the church road from my son Johns to the line of Henry Mayse I give to my son Benjamin Palmer.and his heires lawfully begotten by his body forever...upon consideration of son Isaac hath not land I will and require that four sons shall pay unto my son Isaac thelve hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco apiece but if my said sons of whom I have given land should depart this life without heir lawfully of his body forever and do acquitt my surviving sons of their debt to my son Isaac. I give unto my so Joseph a good feather bed and pillows a new wool felt rugge and
blankett. All the rest of my personal goods I give to my beloved wife Alice Palmer during her widdowhood but if my wife would chance to marry I will and desire that any personal estate to be equally devided betwixt my wife and all my children and appoint my three trusty friends Richard Wright and my brother Robert Palmore and mr. Thomas Dowing whole executers of my last will and testament to have and to care and tutelage of my children in their monority and to take my childrens estate into their hands if they think fitt. If my wife shoud marry rattifying and allowing this to be my last
will and testament.and dismantling all other wills and testaments by formerly from time to time made...Witness whereof I have sett my hand and seale this day and year first above written. Joseph Palmer (seal
