Virginia Wills and Administrations
Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 243 Jenner.
SR Number: SR 04682
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of Alexander Stephen
References: Probate Act Book 1770
Alexander Stephen, Frederick Co., Va. 12 Jan 1768
To his brother Adam his sword and sash, if he chooses to accept them.
To his brother John all his land, deeded and undeeded, with his Negro
fellow Ambrose, all his servants for the time they have to serve, his
household utensils, horse and saddle; from his inheritance his brother
John is to pay testator's bond of §26 to Mr. Hodge, his account with
Mr. Allison, and any other trifles owing.
To his brother Robert, testator's brother Adam's bond for §60; but desires
he may receive §50, "as the Colonel has had some trouble" with testator;
also to his brother Robert his watch and half of his clothing; and begs his
Lordship and Col. Martin, as a last favor, to let Robert "have their collection
of this county".
To his two sisters the §40 in his agent's hands in London, in equal shares.
Names his brother John as executor.
His §40 in cash to pay his funeral expenses, with any residue to Miss Pheby
Semans, "as Jonathan told me that he would as leave I paid her as him"; to
her also his gold buttons and buckles.
Signed 12 January 1768. Witness Jonathan Seman, Robert Cunningham,
Phebe Seaman.
Admon. 8 January 1770 to John Russell, attorney of John Stephen, now
residing in Virginia, and executor of Alexander Stephen, late a lieutenant
in the Royal Americans under the command of Sir Geoffrey Amhurst, at
Virginia, deceased.
References: Probate Act Book 1770
(P.A.B. may give incorrect date of admon. 8 June 1770)
Anthony Stephens, Lancaster Co., Va - Will 1663
Lancaster Co., loose papers
See neg. photo
Lancaster Co., Deeds, 1699-1800; Wills, 1661-1787
(acc. no. 26678)
Edward Stephens, Isle of Wight Co. 1741
Wills & Accounts, Vol. 4, 1733-1745, (reel 24)
pg. 366-367, Accts. Rec. 27 July 1741
Edward Stephens, Surry Co., Va
Acct. Curr. 1741
Surry Co., Deed, Wills, etc. 1738-54, pg. 302
Edward Stephens, Surry Co., Va
Inv. 1740
Deeds, Wills, etc., 1738-54, pg. 251-252, 254
Elizabeth Stephens, Chesterfield Co., Va
Her orphan, Sarah Stephens, to be bound out by the churchwardens,
27 Feb 1759
Chesterfield Order Book 2, pg. 485
Elizabeth Stephens/Stevens, Isle of Wight Co. 1789w
Will Book, Vol. 10, 1785-1796, (reel 26)
pg. 164, Will Pro. 3 Dec 1789, pg. 181
Inv. & Appr. Rec. 5 July 1790
Ephraim Stevens, Chesterfield Co., Va.
Inquistion dated 1783
Chesterfield Will Book 3, pg. 509
George Stephens, Charlotte Co., Va 1761
Will Book No. 1, 1765-1791 (reel 16)
pg. 38-39, Inv. & Appr. Rec. 7 Dec 1767
pg. 38-39, 2nd pagination Inv. & Appr. 7 Dec. 1767
James Stevens, Halifax Co., Va 1795
Will Book 3, 1792-1797 (reel 37)
pg. 191-193, Will Pro. 26 Oct 1795
Will Book 6, 1798-1804 (reel 37)
John Stephens, Goochland Co., Va 1738i
Deed Book No. 3, 1737-1742 (reel 1)
pg. 140, Inv. & Appr. Rec. 20 June 1738
John Stevens Sr., Isle of Wight Co. 1784
Will Book, Vol. 9, 1779-1785, (reel 26)
pg. 244-245, Will Pro. 1 July 1784, pg. 322
Inv. & Appr. Rec. 2 June 1785
John Stevens, Isle of Wight Co. 1795
Will Book, Vol. 10, 1785-1796, (reel 26)
pg 377, Inv. & Appr. Rec. 1 Dec 1795
John Stevens, Prince George Co., Va 1720
Deeds, etc., 1713-1728, pt. 2 (reel 1)
pg. 400-401, Will Probated 10 May 1720
pg. 413, Inv. & Appr. Rec. 14 June 1720
Deeds, etc., 1713-1728, pt. 3 (reel 3)
pg. 770, Accts. Rec. 8 Dec 1724
John Stevens, Petersburg Co., Va
Hustings Court Will Book 1, 1782-1805 (reel 18)
pg. 182, Accts. Rec. 5 Mar 1792
John Stevens/Stevenson (Torrence has Stevens), Cumberland Co., Va 1763w
Will Book 1, 1749-1769 (reel 17)
pg. 269-271, Will Pro. 26 Sept 1763
pg. 279, Inv Rec. 24 Oct 1763
Will Book 2, 1769-1792 (reel 17)
pg. 80-82, Settlement of Estate Rec. 24 Nov 1772
Joseph Stephens/Stevens, Prince Williams Co., Va
Will Book H, 1792-1803 (reel 19)
pg. 271, Will Pro. 8 May 1798
Joshua Stephens, Goochland Co., Va 1745w
Deed Book No. 4, 1745-1749 (reel 2)
pg. 13-14, Will Pro. 20 May 1735 (1745?)
Mary Stevens/Stephens, Mecklenburg Co., Va
Will proved 10 Oct 1791
Mecklenburg County Will Book 3, pg. 76
Matthew Stephens, Warwick Co., Va
Inventory 1697
Warwick Co., Records, 1695-1697, pg. 457
Richard Nassaw Stephens, Norfolk City, Va 1785
Will Book 1, 1784-1800 (reel 19)
pg. 3a., Will Pro. 24 Oct 1785
pg. 7-8, Inv. & Appr. Rec. 26 Sept 1786
Richard Stevens, Surry Co., Va
Will 1662 (incomplete)
Deeds, Wills, etc., 1, 1652-1672, pg, 207
Thomas Stephens Sr., Washington Co., Va 1800w
Will Book 2, 1792-1806 (reel 15)
pg. 236-238, Will Pro. 18 Mar 1800
pg. 239, Inv. & Appr. Rec. 15 Apr 1800
Thomas Stephens, Buckingham Co., Va (lost wills)
Will dated 15 May 1802
Codicil dated 10 Oct 1806
Will Proved __________
Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 14, pg. 88-89, from
copy found in an attic in Appomattox Co.
________ Stephens, Chesterfield Co., Va
Joseph Stephens, a poor boy, to be bound out by the churchwardens,
3 March 1758
Chesterfield Order Book 2, pg. 384.
Misc. Wills of Others with Stephens/Stevens Named in Will
Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 132 Pembroke.
SR Number: SR 04098
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of William Ewens
References: Matthews Abstracts 1630-1654, Vol. 51.
Will of William Ewens of Greenwich Co., Kent, mariner.
To Mary his wife §100 a year for life from his lands in England, with noted exceptions.
His other lands to his daughter Mary, as well as the annunity of §100 after his wife's death.
His wife may inherit his daughter's legacy, but if neither inherits, half the rents of his land
goes to Thomas Ewens the elder for life, and then to his sons William and Thomas, or
failing them to his kinsmen Ewen Johnson, Margaret Johnson, Ewen Peters, Mary Noble,
and her daughter in equal shares. (Provision is made for contingent inheritance).
Asks his executors to care for his cousin Mary Noble and her daughter.
To his wife Mary and daughter Mary all his personal estate.
To his wife one third and to his daughter two thirds of his shipping debts.
All his lands, cattle, chattels and servants in Virginia to be sold; a quarter of the proceeds
to his wife and three quarters to his daughter.
To his daughter two shares of land in the Sommer Islands, about 60 acres, occupied by
William Farmer.
To Thomas Ewens the elder of North Mill on the Deanes at Yarmouth, occupied by John
Broome (and provides for inheritance by this Ewen's heirs, and others).
To WILLIAM STEVENS his son-in-law §100.
To Thomas Ewens the elder and his four children William, Thomas, Thomasine, and
Martha Ewens; to Margarett Johnson, Ewen Johnson, Ewen Peters, Susan Piggott,
Mary Noble and her daughter' 20s. apiece, to be paid from his shipping and sale of
his land in Virginia.
Names his wife Mary, daughter Mary, friends THOMAS STEVENS and Arnold Browne
joint executors, the last two to have 20 nobles apiece.
Signed 2 April 1649. Witness Frances Cordwell "per me Will. Denmay", Paul Paine,
John Weeks, John Wardall.
A codicil of 30 April 1650 (witness William Ewen, Mathew Walker) deals with §30 for
Ewen Peters held by testator.
Probate London 12 August 1650 to Mary Ewens, relict, with reservations in respect of
other executors.
SR Number: SR 04100
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of John Seward
References: Matthews Abstracts 1630-1654, Vol. 296.
Will of John Seward of Bristol, merchant, being bound to sea.
To his youngest daughter Rebecca Seward §300.
To his second daughter Mary Seward §250.
To his eldest daughter Sarah Seward §250.
To his wife's daughter by her former husband, Brigitt Egton, §50.
To his eldest son John Seward §200.
To his son James Seward §250.
(Provisions are made for time of inheritance, contingent inheritance etc. with
respect to legacies noted above). His wife is to have his farm at Butcombe in
Somerset and other lands bought in that county from Thomas Parsyvall, Esq.
To his son James Seward an annunity of §20.
To his son John Seward lands and annuities as noted.
To his son James specified real property in Bristol, bought from Mr. John
Griffith of Winterbourne, clerk to his wife.
To his daughter Sarah specified lands in Somerset.
His plantation of 1350 acres called Levineske in Isle of Wight County, Virginia,
to his son John Seward.
His plantation and lands at Blackwater in the same county, of 1600 acres with
all rights to other lands in Virginia by patent, certificate, expiration of leases or
otherwise, to his son James Seward.
Servants, cattle, merchandise etc. in his possession in Virginia at the time of
his death to be divided equally between his sons.
To the poor of St. Thomas's Parish, Bristol, 50s., and the same to those of
Redcliffe.
All other estate to his wife Sarah, who is named executrix.
His friends William Carey of London, merchant, Francis Yeomans of Bristol,
gent., and WALTER STEPHENS the younger of Bristol, mercer, are named
overseers, and receive 40s. apiece.
Signed 16 Sept. 1650. Witness Francis Yeomans, notary public, Matthew
Wolfe, Den. (?) Tony, John Hellier.
Probate London 23 May 1651 to Sarah, relict and executrix.
Index describes testator as of parish of St. Leonard; gives no source.
Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 237 Bowyer
SR Number: SR 04107
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of James Roche
References: Matthews Abstracts 1630-1654, Vol. 140.
Will of James Roche of Warras Sweeke alias Warwicke Sweeke, Isle of Wight,
Virginia, planter, but now in Queene Camell alias East Camell, Somerset in
England. Testator set sail from Virginia for England on 1 Jan 1649, and left
behind him a stock of cattle in the care of Thomas North his servant, viz. seven
kine, one ox, and one steer; he also left certain debts due to him at or before
his departure from Virginia, the accounts being in the care of Captain George
Fadding alias Fawdin, of Warras Quirke aforesaid, his attorney, as will appear
by the testimony of Thomas Taberer and Thomas Northe, planters there.
A letter from Thomas Taberer (dated 4 May 1652 at Warras Quicke) to testator
informed him of the shipment to him from Virginia on 8 or 10 hhd. of tobacco
this present summer.
The property mentioned and all other property in Virginia, England, or elsewhere
to go to his eldest brother Roche, vicar of Queene Camell aforesaid, who is
named executor.
Signed 22 Aug 1652. Witnesses Ed. Gillmore, John Martin, WILLIAM STEPHENS.
Probate London 18 Sept 1652 to Robert Roche, brother of the deceased.
Index cites place names as Warras Squeeke alias Warwicksweeke, Isle of Wight,
Virgina, no source given. In the index the English place name is given as East
Camel, Somerset, as in the abstract above; The Eat Camell of the register copy
is probably a scribal error.
Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 58 Penn
SR Number: SR 03544
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of Samuel Filmer
References: Index of Wills P.C.C. 1661-1670. 6105
Will of Samuel Filmer of East Sutton, Co. Kent, gent.
To his mother the Lady Anne Filmer, his brothers Edward Filmer, knight, and
Robert Filmer, esquire, and his sister the Lady Anne Godstall, widow, a
mourning ring of 10s. price, each.
To his cousins Mrs. Frances STEPHENS, wife of Mr. SAMUEL STEPHENS of
Virginia, Mr. Archibald Clinkard (?) of Lynton, Co. Kent, gent., Mr. Warham
Horsmonden and Susan his wife, and Mr. Anthony Horsmonden, to each a
mourning ring of value as chosen by his executrix. Appoints his cousin Mrs.
Mary Horsmonden, eldest daughter of said Warham and Susan Horsmonden
of Ham, parish of Lenham, Co. Kent, to whom he is engaged to be married,
as sole executrix, and leaves her his whole estate (with provisions stated for
the event of his marrying said Mary Horsmonden and having issue).
Names his cousins Mr. Warham Horsmonden, father of said Mary, and Mr.
Anthony Horsmonden, his brother, to be overseers.
Signed 17 July 1667. Witness Anne Godstall, Ursula Horsmonden, Susanna
Chapman, Warham Horsmonden.
Probate 28 May 1670 to Warham Horsmonden, father of Mary Filmer alias
Horsmonden, now in Virginia, relict and executrix of the deceased, in the
absence of said executrix.
Index notes Samuel Filmer was "formerly of Virginia, but died in the city of
Westminster."
The Index of Wills P.C.C. 1671-1675 vol. IX, 75, lists the Probate Act (1671
p.43) and describes Samuel Filmer as "formerly of East Cutton [sic], Kent;
late of Virginia, beyond seas; d. in city of Westminster; admon., May 1670
brought in."
Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 160 Ash
SR Number: SR 04139
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of Alexander Cornwall
References: Probate Act Book 1704, f.143vo.
Will of Alexander Cornwall of St. Buttolph without Aldgate, Co. Mdx., mariner,
bound to sea.
Leaves his entire estate to his brother Walter Cornwall and his heirs.
Names his friend William Findlason of the same place, merchant, as sole
executor.
Signed 13 July 1703. Witness PHILIP STEVENS, T. Paley, Notary Public at
the Hermittage Bridge.
Probate London 28 Aug 1704 to William Findlason.
P.A. B. describes testator as recently on the Maryland (ship) "factor" in
Maryland in Virginia, a bachelor.
Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 200 Brodrepp
SR Number: SR 04652
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of Richard Munday
References: Probate Act Book 1738.
Will of Richard Munday, mariner, of the parish of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, Co. Mdx.
To his sister Elizabeth Munday a small parcel marked R.M. No. 1.
To his father William Munday §20.
To Samuel Bonham, merchant, of the aforesaid parish, all wages etc., and
commissions on gold, teeth, and Negroes, belonging to him on the ship
"Europa"; names Samuel Bonham his executor.
Signed 3 August 1737. No witness named.
10 July 1738. Deposition of JOSEPH STEPHENS of St. Mary Rotherhithe, Co.
Surrey, mariner, and George Wilson of St. Paul, Shadwell, Co. Mdx., mariner:
that they were acquainted with Captain Richard Munday of Stepney, Co. Mdx.,
late master of the "Europa" on the coast of Virginia, that JOSEPH STEVENS
wrote the will above, that both attest to the Will.
Probate London 2 August 1738 to Samuel Bonham.
P. A. B. describes testator as a bachelor.
Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 30 Strahan
SR Number: SR 04635
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of Paulin Brooke
References: Probate Act Book 1748.
Will of Paulin Brooke of Virginia, mariner.
All his real and personal estate in Virginia or elsewhere to descend to his next
heirs at law, except that his estate is to be charged with the following expenses;
1. §40 to reimburse his friend Heneage Robinson "if he is so lucky as to redeem
testator's Negro boy, who is now in France; the boy to be sent to Virginia as
soon as convenient, it he is redeemed. (His friend William Watts appointed
executor to administer testator's affairs in England).
2. Five guineas to Mrs. Catherine Giffard as a mark of testator's gratitude for her
care of him.
3. Mourning rings to William Watts, Sarah Watts, REBECCA STEVENS, and Messrs.
John Maynard and son.
Signed 4 July 1746. Witness Wm. Richardson, Jnl. Atkinson.
Probate London 15 February 1747 to William Watts for estate in England.
P. A. B. describes testator as a bachelor, late of York River in Virginia.
Depository: Principal Probate Registry / Class: Will-Register Books, 366 Alexander
SR Number: SR 04798
Reel Number: Not filmed
Title: Will of William Sarney Benwell
References: Probate Act Book 1775.
Will of William Sarney Benwell of the parish of St. John, Wapping, Co. Mdx.,
mariner.
All his real estate to his wife Elizabeth Benwell during her life or widowhood, and
on her death or remarriage to any children of his by her, or in default of such issue
to his own heirs.
All his personal estate to his wife, who is named sole executrix.
Signed 30 January 1775. Witness HENRY STEVENS, Doctors' Commons,
Danl. Williams, Samuel Hawkins, clerks to MR. STEVENS.
Probate London 3 October 1775 to Elizabeth Benwell.
P. A. B. describes testator as chief mate of the merchant ship "Aston Hall",
and deceased at Baltimore in Virginia.
Back to Virginia Colonial Records
Back to Stephens/Stevens Records/Documents
Compiled by:
Jackie Shepherd
Tom Stevens -E-Mail: stevetho@datastar.net