I often visit the Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index, searching for Williams tidbits of information. My husband’s family lived in Cumberland County, Virginia, spreading out to other counties.

There are many familiar names in the Williams FAN (Friends, Associates, Neighbors) Club and Price is one of them.

Here is the will of Richard Price who died between 23 March, when he wrote his will, and 22 October 1781 when it was entered into court records. He named seven enslaved people.

Will of Richard Price, 1781
Cumberland County, Virginia
Source: Virginia Memory – Chancery Court Records, File 1786-015

In the name of God Amen I Richard Price of Cumberld county, being weak and low in body, but of a perfect & sound mind & memory, do make this my last will and testament.

Item, I lend unto my dear wife Mary Price the tract of land whereon I now live with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, I also lend unto my beloved wife Mary, all the negroes. (viz) Tonah, Rose, Silvey, Lucy, Daphny, Sam & Avey during her natural life or widowhood. I also lend unto my beloved wife my part of the negroes arising from my father’s estate during her natural life or widowhood. Item. I also lend unto my beloved wife all my household and kitchen furniture, together with all stock of horses, (?), cattle, sheep & hogs during her natural life or widowhood. Item. I also lend unto my beloved wife all the money in hand, likewise that which is due by bond or otherwise. Item. I give and bequeath unto my two children (viz) Polly & William Price all my estate both real and personal before mentioned, to be equally divided between them at the death or marriage of my wife, but if she should dye before they come of age, then the estate to be taken into the case of the exrs & rented & hired out to the best advantage for the children and if either of them dye without heirs lawfully begotten of their body, then their part shall fall to the survivor. My further will & desire is that my land on the Stanton river in Hallifax county containing two hundred and fifteen acres be sold at the discretion of the exrs the ensueing spring or as soon as price may be ofered agreable to the value of it, & the money laid out i the purchase of a negro or negroes; & lent to my wife as above. My further will & desire is that if my wife should dye before the children come of age that she (stock?) of every kind, crop, carpenters & plantation tools with my household and kitchen furniture of all kinds (except two feather beds & furniture & pewter of all kinds) be sold and the money laid out in the purchase of a negro or negroes for the use of the children, also what spirits & provisions may be spared off of the place I desire may be sold at the same time & the money put to the use as above. and lastly I do constitute and appoint James Dejarnett, Joseph Dejarnett, Joseph Michaux, Saymer Scott, William Anderson my exrs and my wife Mary Price executrix of this my last will and testament and do hereby renounce & revok all other will or wills heretofore made In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty one.

Richard Price      L.S.

Teste: John Venable
Charles Anderson
Isham Richardson

The will of Richard Price was proved at the Cumberland County court session held on 22 October 1781.

Although this will was found in chancery court records, Cumberland County’s records are intact and this will can be found in the county records.