Thomas Mercer Will – Norfolk County, Virginia
Deed Book 9, Pages 125-126
To all to whom these presents shall come – Know ye that I Thomas Mercer of the County of Norfolk in Virginia, for diverse considerations, not hereunto incurring, but more especially for and in consideration of paternal love and affection that I bear unto my sons, Joseph Mercer, Thomas Mercer and John Mercer, and unto my two grandsons Thomas and Joseph Mercer, sons of my son Christopher Mercer, lately deceased, do freely give, grant, release and confirm, and by these presents, have given, granted, released and confirmed unto my said sons and grandsons those parcels of lands as followeth: that is to say, unto my son Joseph Mercer, the land he lives on now, in his tenure and occupation, being one hundred and fifty acres , more or less, bounded (viz) betwixt the Muddy branch and the bever dam branch, and soe into the woods, he paying the early quit rent for the same, and unto my son Thomas Mercer, I give the Manor Plantation I live on with one hundred and fifty acres of land bounded (viz) betwixt the bever dam branch, Stirling’s run and Timber work branch and soe into the woods, being part in his tenure and occupation and now living on it, and to be possessed with the Mannor plantation after mine and his mother’s deceased, paying the yearly quit rent for the same, also I give unto my son John Mercer Junior, one hundred and fifty acres of wood land ground, more or less, bounded (viz) on Narsworthy Lines And Whidon’s Line and soe to run southwest till he meets with his brother Thomas, his land, so paying the yearly quit rent for the same; also I give unto my two grandsons, Thomas Mercer and Joseph Mercer, the lands their father Christopher Mercer Deceased, leased of being one hundred and fifty acres, more or less, to be equally divided betwixt them, bounding (viz) lying betwixt the Timber Work Head line and John Hueth’s land, they paying the yearly quit rent for the same. To have and to hold by said lands and to enjoy purtenances, as to it is a lone given unto my said sons and grandsons and to the heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, always and provided it hereby excepted that the said Thomas Mercer the Elder doe reserve unto himself during his life privileges on the said lands given of, anything upon it as shall have occasion of.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal, this 17 th day of Xber 1711.TEST: John Ferebee, Jr. William Wilkins Thomas Mercer (Seal)
TEST: John Ferebee, Jr. William Wilkins Thomas Mercer (Seal) Acknowledged in open court this 18th day of January 1711 and ordered to be recorded.
Thomas Mercer Will, Dated January 16, 1718 – Probated May 16, 1718
Thomas Mercer of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk County in Virginia give unto my son Joseph Mercer 150 acres of land be it more or less according to a deed of Guift I given him my said son Joseph and is recorded in the above county records, unto my son Thomas Mercer 150 acres of land be it more or less according to a deed of Guift I gave him my said son Thomas and is recorded in the above county records, unto my son John Mercer 150 acres of land be it more or less according to a deed of Guift given by me to my said son John and is recorded in the above county records, to my grandsons Thomas Mercer and Joseph Mercer 150 acres to be divided between them with said land was given before, unto my grandson Christopher Mercer son of John Mercer, one gun, unto my grandson William son to Joseph Mercer one gun, to my Loving wife Catherine Mercer all the rest during her natural life and to be at her disposing to whom she shall give or bequeath it as she sees fit. Son Joseph and my son Thomas and my son John sole executors.
Witness: William Wilkins, Joseph Mercer, John Willis Thomas Mercer (SEAL)