Will of David Neal, Amelia County, Virginia, 4 June 1775

I am still unearthing more Virginia ancestors, and finally got “back to the boat” on this one. My 7th great-grandfather, David Neal, was an Irish immigrant. His daughter, Eleanor, married William McGuffey Rives. The grandchildren listed in the will are her children, William Rives, my 5g grandfather, and his sister Joanna Rives Turner.

David Neal was a slaveholder. His will lists Bett and her children, and Phillis and her children. An estate inventory (download PDF), taken in May of 1776, lists Phillis as well as Adam, Ned, Scilla, Doll, and Marea (Mariah).  I actually have further information on some of these individuals from later court records which I will post soon.

Amelia County WB 2 (download PDF)
pp 176-177

In the name of God, Amen the Twenty fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred & Seventy five I David Neal of the Parish of Raleigh in the County of Amelia being Sick & Weak of body but through Mercy of a song Disposing Memory do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in the Following Manner Viz

First I desire that all my Just Debts be Paid

Item give to my son Thomas Neale Ten Shillings Current money

Item I give to my son Stephen Neale Ten Shillings Current money

Item I give to my son William Neale Ten Shillings Current money

Item I give to my son John Neale Ten Shillings Current money

Item I give to my Daughter Mary Morgan one Negro woman named Bett with all Her Children to her and her Heirs forever _______

(There appears to be something missing here)

to be divided as soon as my Crop is Finished

Item I give to my Grand Children William Rives & Joanna Rives one Negro Woman Named Phillis and all her Children to be Equally Divided between them which I give to them and their Heirs Forever

Item I give to my son Roger Neale the Land and Plantation Whereon I now live, also two Negros (to wit) Ned & Adam together with my Crop, Household goods & Stocks of All Kinds which I give to him and his heirs forever

I Likewise Constitute and Appoint my son Roger Neale Executor of this my Last Will and Testament and do hereby Revoke and Make Void all former Wills by one made either by Word of Mouth or in Writing Ratifying & Confirming this no Other to be my last Will & Testament

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal the day year first above Written

David O Neale (his mark)

Signed, Sealed & Declared by the said David Neale as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of

John Marshall
Robert Marshall
John Ford