In the name of God Amen I, John Alford of New Kent County in St. Peters Parish lying sick
and weak in body but in perfect mind and memory I do make and ordain this my last will and
testament, but first of all I commit my soul to God that gave it and my body I recommend
it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my
Executors hereafter mentioned and as touching such Worldly goods as it hath pleased Almighty
God to bless me will all in this life after my funeral charges and debts paid I give and
dispose in manner and form following__Imprimis I order that all my just Debts be paid.
Item I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Elizabeth Alford all my land and plantation
which I am possessed with in New Kent County in St. Peters Parish to her and her heirs of her
body lawfully begotten and so from heir to heir forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Unity and Charity Alford all my land and
plantation lying in Henrico County to be equally divided between them to them and their
heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten and so from heir to heir forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my three daughters, Elizabeth, Unity, and Charity and to
be equally divided among them when either of them arrives at the age of eighteen years
or marriage my nine negroes and their increase viz. Tom, Jack, Jemmy, Sue, Bess, Lucy,
Sam, Charles, Jenny, to them and their heirs lawfully begotten and so from heir to heir
to all posterity.
Item my will is that if my daughter Elizabeth should die without issue lawfully begotten
then her estate is to be equally divided between my two daughters Unity and Charity to them
and their heirs lawfully begotten of their own bodies and so from heir to heir forever, and
if either of my two daughters Unity and Charity should either of them die without heirs of
their bodies lawfully begotten, then my will is that their estate should be equally divided
between the Survivors of them to them and their heirs lawfully begotten and so from heir to
heir to all posterity.
Item I give and bequeath to my loving wife Grace all the rest of my estate be it of what
nature or quality soever within doors or without moveables or immoveables and I do appoint
and ordain my loving wife Grace whole and sole Exex of this my last will and testament
making void and null all other former wills and testaments declaring this to be my last
will and testament and no other.
In witness whereof I do set my hand and seal this first day of May 1726.
John Alford L.S.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us
John Scott
George W. Walton
Robert Walton
The will of John Alford dated 1 May 1726, was probated by Grace Alford, Executrix, in New
Kent County on 9 June 1726. A copy of Alford's will was presented as evidence in Charlotte
County Court on 6 October 1784 (Order Book 5, p. 220). The parties represented in this "In
Detinue" case were David Bates by James Bates his guardian, plaintiff, and Joseph Fuqua,
his guardian, defendant.