THE WILL OF MOSES RAY, WRITTEN 22 MAY 1766; PROVED 5 SEPT 1768 

AMHERST VIRGINIA

Source:
Amherst Co. 
Will Book 1, page 123, 124 and 125

In the names of God Amen
I Moses Ray of Amherst County in the Colony of Virginia this twenty second day of may and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty six being sick and weak of body but of Prefect mind and memory thanks be to god for the same and calling to mind the frailty of Human Nature and knowing that it is appointed for all to die.  I do make this my last Will and Testament, 
First of all I do recommend my Soul to God who gave it unto my Body to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executor hereafter mentioned, and touching my Worldly Estate which it has pleased God to bless me with, I do dispose of it as follows.  
Item
I give and bequeath unto my son William Ray that tract of Land lying on Gilbert's Creek joining Mayo's Line containing three hundred & forty five acres to him and his heirs forever.
Item
I give and bequeath unto my son Moses Ray the tract of Land on which I now live containing four hundred acres together with the Island joining the said tract to him and his heirs forever.
Item
I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Ray four hundred acres of Land lying in Buckingham County on Rock Island Creek to him and his heirs forever.
In the next place my desire is that my Plantation with the Island and my Hill may be Rented and as much of the money as is necessary may be laid out in Teaching my Children.  All other my Household Goods and Stock of all kind be sold and my debts paid and what remains after my debts paid to be Equally divided among all my children both Sons and Daughters.
Moreover
Item
I give and bequeath unto my Son Moses Ray one Negro boy by name Joshua to him and his heirs forever, my desire is that the said Negro shall be hired out till my son comes of age and the hire of the said Negro to go to my Moses Ray's Maintenance.  My desire that my sons shall have sufficient learning and then for my Executors hereafter mentioned to put them to some good trade and to have the care of them till they come of age.
Item
I constitute and appoint Col. William Cavel, Col. James Novell and Col. Joseph Cavel Executors of this my last will & Testament and do disavow all others wills and Testaments whatsoever.

In Witness whereunto I have set my hand and Seal the day and year above Written in the _____(blank) Precinct

Moses MR Ray LS
His mark

Test.
Augustine Sheppard
Sarah Sheppard

At Court held for Amherst County the 5th day of September 1768

This Last Will and Testament of Moses Ray deceased was presented by William Cabell (not a typo) Jun. (gent??} one of the Executors therein named who made oath thereto according to Law and the same being proved by the oaths of Augustine Sheppard & Sarah Sheppard subscribing Witnesses  thereto is admitted to Record, and on the motion of the said Executor a Probate is granted him he having with William Cabell Senr. His Security entered into and acknowledged bond at the Law Directs.

Teste:  Edmd. Wilson Co. Clk.

Will Book 2, page 2

Pursuant to an Order of Amherst Court we have examined the Accounts of William Cabell Executor of the Last Will of Moses Ray Deced and find it truthfully stated and that their only Remains in his hands the sum of Eighty four pounds and one penny Due to Thomas Ray, Certified and in our hands this 19th Day of October 1780.
James Nevil
Young Landrum

At a Court for Amherst County the sixth Day of November 1780.  This Report was this Day Returned and ordered to be Recorded.
Teste: Edmd. Wilson Co. Clk.

Note:  These are all the probate records received from the current Probate Office in Amherst Co., VA.  It may be that additional records may be located in a 'loose record' file at the Courthouse. The children named in the will: William, Thomas and Moses.  'Other sons and daughters,' not yet of age, are not mentioned by name.  Moses is also not yet of age as the Negro is to hired out and the income produced to be used for his maintenance.  If the 'coming of age' was at the time 21 years, then Moses and all the others, save William and Thomas, would have be born after 1745.