The Last Will and Testament of Phillip Sanders

Westmoreland County, Va., 1722

((Westmoreland Co., Va, Wills, pg 74, A.Fothergill c. 1925, 
Appeals Press)

In the name of God, amen, I Phillip Sanders of the County of 
Westmoreland after being well stricken in years but of perfect 
sense and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, 
do prepare, make and declare this my last will and testament in 
means and form follows: I resign and recommend my immortal 
soul into the hands of my blessed saviour and redeemer Christ 
Jesus in firm hope and belief through his meritorious death and 
passion to receive pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and a 
joyful resurrection at the last day to eternal bliss and for what 
worldly estate God in the abundant of his mercy hath been pleased 
to allow me I dispose thereof in manner and form the following 
items:

I give and bequeath to my son William Sanders, to the heirs of his 
body the plantation he, the said William Sanders lives on and half 
my land and the belongings to hold to him my aforementioned son 
and to the heirs of his body forever.

It is my will that if by any means my daughter Urslee Taylor 
should become destitute of land to live on that then an in such 
case it is my desire that she have the privilege of house and land 
sufficient for her on the plantation whereon I now live during her 
natural life.

I give and bequeath to my grandson John Sanders, son of the 
above mentioned William Sanders, the plantation I now live on 
and the other half of my land with the appurtenances thereunto 
belonging to hold to him the said John Sanders and to the heirs of 
his body lawfully begotten but for want of such heir then I give the 
said land and appurtenances to my grandson Phillip Sanders and 
to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten but for want of such 
heirs then my will is that the same land descend to his next heir at 
law.

I give to my granddaughter Mary Sanders two pewter basins, two 
pewter dishes and half a dozen of pewter plates all the rest residue 
and remainder part of my estate my debts and funeral expenses 
being paid.

I give and devise to be equally divided between my living son 
William Sanders and my loving daughter Urslee Taylor and my 
wife Elizabeth Sanders and I do hereby appoint my aid son 
William Sanders whole and sole executor of this my last will and 
testament and o hereby revoke all former other wills and 
testaments made by me and I do declare this none other to be 
taken for my last will and testament.

In witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of 
December 1722, Phillip Sanders mark signed sealed and 
published in presence of Thomas Asbury, Thomas Cocker.