This transcription is provided by Ed Driskill for Ephraim Andrews
The Last Will and Testament of Ephraim Andrews
Note: This document comes from a handwritten instrument, found in the files
of the Williamson County TN courthouse Archives. I believe it to be
the Last Will and Testament of Ephraim Andrews, son of William Andrews
(b. 1696 Henrico VA, d. 1771 Dinwiddie VA), son of Thomas Andrews
(b. 1663 England, d. 1731 Henrico VA. Came to VA on ship Richard and
Elizabeth ). Subsequent lawsuits stemming from the execution of this
will also are on file in Williamson Co TN archives.
In the name of God, amen. I, Ephraim Andrews of Williamson County do appoint
and ordain this to be my last will and testament.
Item. I lend to my beloved wife, Ann Andrews, the whole of my estate, both
real and personal during her life or widowhood.
Item. And all the rest of my estate both real and personal after my wife's
decease or widowhood, I desire should be equally divided amongst my
six children, to wit; George, Knacy H., Ephraim, Stacy, Elizabeth and
Nancy, with the following exceptions to wit;
Item; I give and bequeath to my beloved wife the sum of six hundred and
eighty two dollars, to be disposed of as she may think proper.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Knacy Andrews a tract of land containing
one hundred acres joining Benjamin Buggs line, running on his own line for (compliment?).
Item. I give to son Ephraim Andrews the one half of the tract of land I now
live on.
Item. I lend to my daughter, Elizabeth YOUNG, the other half of the land that
I now live on, joining 73 acres and (Beggers?) line.
Item My will and desire is that (Pat, Vine & Nelson?) with their increase
and whatsoever part of my estate or the produce of it as may fall to
the share of my daughter Elizabeth, then to remain in the hands of my
Executors, hereafter named, as long as her present husband shall live,
and at his death, her part of my estate is to be delivered by them to
her, or in case of her dying before him, my executors are hereby
required and empowered to divide her part of my estate equally among
such children as she may leave, except Rebeckah Kyle, to which my
desire is that she may have but one dollar.
Item. I give and bequeath to my Grandson Howard YOUNG the sum of ten pounds
cash to be laid out for him at the descretion of my executors, after
my wife's decease.
Item. My will and desire is that the price with the hire of one negro fellow
named Tom that is now in the possession of George Andrews and William
Drumwright, shall be taken out of their part of the estate, and the two
hundred dollars that George Andrews paid the said Drumwright for Tom is
to be subtracted out of the said Drumwright's part of said negro.
Lastly, I appoint my beloved wife Ann, my son Knacy, and Benjamin Bugg to
execute this, my last will and testament. In witness, whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of July, one thousand,
eight hundred and seven. Signed and sealed and pronounced by the testator as
his last will and testament, in presence of each other have subscribed our
names:
Test Signed,
Miles Malone Ephraim Andrews
William Baring his mark X
Which foregoing recited will and testament was duly proven in open court
January session, 1809, by the oaths of miles Malone and William Baring, the
subscribing witnesses thereto, to be the act and deed of Ephraim Andrews for
the use and purposes therein expressed. At which session Benjamin Bugg
qualified as executor, and at April session 1809 Ann Andrews and Knacy Andrews
came into court and qualified likewise and received letters Testamentory.
-----------------------------------
Information related to Ephraim Andrews' estate after his death.
Note: After the death of Ephraim Andrews Sr. in 1808, the will was apparently
not probated until after the death of his wife, Ann, in 1811. Benjamin
Bugg also died, leaving Knacy Andrews as the sole surviving executor.
Apparently, he did not satisfy the terms of the will, and after the
death of his sister Elizabeth Young (in 1818), her children filed in
circuit court to have Knacy Andrews provide an accounting of the
proceeds of the estate of Ephraim Andrews, and to 'come up' with the
share of the proceeds which rightfully belonged to Elizabeth Young, or
her estate. The handwriting of this document is almost unreadable,
so some words may not be correct, and many are just left out (......).
I believe, however, that what is here speaks for itself.
To the Honorable Judge of the Fourth District Court of the State of Tennessee.
This bill of complaint of William Young, administrator of the estate of
Elizabeth Young, dec'd, and Francis Young, Thomas Young, Ephraim Young,
Michael Young, Howard Young by his guardian William Young, Joseph Young and
Elizabeth his wife, George Ridley and Martha his wife, Obadiah Driskill and
Nancy his wife, and William Kyle and Rebecca his wife, heirs of Elizabeth
Young, deceased, complainants against Knacy Andrews, surviving executor of
the last will and testament of Ephraim Andrews dec'd., defendant.
Humbly complaining, showeth unto your honor, your orators and oratrixes, that
many years ago, this ancestor and grandfather, Ephraim Andrews departed this
life having a last will and testament duly executed, a copy of which said will
is hereto attached (marked A, and prayed to be made a part of this file) which
said will was afterwards in due time and form found and recorded in the county
in which said testator died, and Knacy Andrews and Benjamin Bugg the executors
named in said will therefore complied with the requirements of the law in such
cases, and took upon themselves the execution of the said will and since that
time Benjamin Bugg, one of the said executors died, leaving the said Knacy
Andrews sole surviving executor of said last will and testament. And your
orator and oratrixes further show unto your honor that the said Knacy took
possession of, and yet maintains possession of a ? part of the property
belonging to the estate of the said testator and the proceeds of the same
which was bequeathed
and ordained by the said testator to his daughter, Elizabeth Young and to her
children upon the contingency happening, which is mentioned in said will, that
your orators and oratrixes mother, Elizabeth Young is dead, and your orator
Wm. Young ash been duly appointed administrator of her estate at the time of
her death, and according to the provisions of the said will all the property
designated therein and all that might have descended to her and did descend
to her upon the death of her, the said Elizabeth's mother, Ann Andrews, with
all the proceeds and property thereof rightfully and lawfully belongs to your
said orator and oratrixes in equal portions except the portion of William Kyle
and Rebecca, his wife, who are entitled to a specified sum of money. And your
orator and oratrixes further show unto your honor that a considerable sum of
money remains in the hands of the said defendant, unaccounted for and which
your orator and oratrixes are rightfully entitled to receive, and your orator
and oratrixes have several
times applied themselves to the said defendant for a settlement and
satisfaction of these claims, but the said Knacy knowlingly, and with duress
offers persons at present unknown to your orator and oratrixes, whose names
when discovered they pray may be liable parties to this bill, with apt words
to charge them, how to wrong and injure your orator and oratrixes; he
sometimes gives out that he has claims upon the estate of the said Elizabeth
Young, by means of which they are delayed and prevented from receiving their
just division all which things and doings of the defendant; and his
confederates are contrary to equity and good conscience and, true to
the ...and .....of your orators and oratrixes, who are only properly ..... in
a court of equity. To......that the said Knacy Andrews may ....and perfect
answer make to all and each of the items charged in this, your orators and
oratrixes bill of complaint, as fully and positively as if the same were
herein adjoined.... That he may set forth and describe what amount, kind and
description of money, property or other and every kind of stock have come
into his hands as to his having possession, or of others and at what time
the same will award and how he has managed or disposed of the or any part of
the monies and property with the proceeds and ....thereof which of right
belongs as a ..... to your said orators and oratrixes under the said last
will and testament of the said Ephraim Andrews, deceased, and that the said
Knacy may set forth, and a full and perfect account of the said monies,
property, and profits of the said estate so belonging to your orators and
oratrixes, and that he, the said Knacy ma be compelled under orders of the
honorable court to pay ....and disburse to your orators and oratrixes,
whatever amount of monies and property may be found to be due and coming to
them, and that your orators and oratrixes may have such other and further
relief, as all and singular the premises aforesaid, as the ....and
circumstances of this case may .....and as to your honor shall deem most
proper.
May it please your honor to grant the gracious writ of subpoena to answer,
and your orators and oratrixes as in duty bound will we pray.
Filed February session, 1820.
Note: I also have, among many court documents, the answer to this lawsuit
filed by Knacy Andrews. It is even more difficult to read than the previous
documents, and my eyes just won't do it. However, the document does, on
several occasions, mention John Young, and that John and Elizaabeth Young
were the parents of the complainants. The names of their children, and
later, Nancy and Obadiah Driskill's children, are names common to the family
of Michael Cadet YOUNG, of Brunswick County VA. Although no connection has
yet been found (on paper) it would be appropriate to assume that John Young
descends from this heralded family. There is also no mention of where John
Young was, but it seems that he was not present at the time of Elizabeth
Andrews Young's death in 1818.
In the April session of 1820, William Young also sued Ephraim Andrews Jr.,
for $1350 purportedly for properties from the estate of Ephraim Andrews Sr.
which he had sold, and had not disbursed the proceeds. Other lawsuits
followed, with the final disposition of the estate in 1826.
********************************************************************************************
Abraham Andrews
Lunenburg Co., VA.
Will Book 4, Page 258-A
In the name of God, Amen. This Sixteenth day of July anno Domini One
thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine. I, Abraham Andrews of Lmenburg Co.,
being now sick and weak of body, but of sound mind and memory, for which I
return my most hearty thanks to Almighty God, and knowing that it is
appointed for all men once to die and I do now make and this my last Will
and Testament, revoking and disannulling all other wills or bequests ( ? ? )
heretofore made, ratifying this to my last Will and Testament in manner
and form following.
Item: I give or lend unto my kind, loving wife Ann Andrews, my land and
plantation whereon I now live during her natural life, and after her death I
give my (lands?) unto my son, Abraham Andrews, the above mentioned land
whereon I now live containing one hunded and ( ? )-three acres, to him and
his heirs forever.
Item: I also lend unto my kind, beloved wife, Ann Andrews, all my household,
kitchen furniture, except two feather beds and furniture, all my stock of
every kind together with all my plantation utensils and seven Virginia born
Negroes namely Silvy, (Nat, Bud?), Rachel Saly, Nelly, and Ely, during her
natural fife, and after her death to be equally divided between all my
beloved children, namely Thomas Andrews, Sally Allen, Stacy Cooper, Benjamin
Andrews, Peter Andrews, Lucretia ( W?), Alexander Andrews, (Kaly? Andrews?),
Rainey Cooper, Lowry Andews, and Abraham Andrews, to them and their
heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son, Lowry Andrews one feather bed and
furniture, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Abraham Andrews, a Negro boy named
Reubin, to him and his heirs forever. I also (leave?) my said son Abraham
Andrews a feather bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever.
And lastly, I appoint my sons Thomas Andrews, Benjamin Andrews, Peter
Andrews, and Alexander Andrews Executors to this my last Will and Testament.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of-
Jesse Andrews Abraham Andrews (mark)
Drury Andrews (mark)
Peter Andrews (mark)
At a Court held for Lunenburg County this (13?) day of September 1799.
This last Will and Testament of Abraham Andrews, deceased, was exhibited in
Court and proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto subscribed, and
ordered to be recorded.
Lunenburg Co., VA. Will Book 8, page 82. Inventory and Appraisal of Estate
of Abraham Andrews. Slaves: Reuben, Silvy, and David. (Reuben and Silvy
both mentioned in the will). This was in 1820, certainly a long time after
Abraham died. Does this mean that his wife, Ann, lived until approximately
this time?
*I have no proof regarding a date of birth, but have seen it "about 1734."
This is the approximate same date of birth as our Peter Andrews, so there is
no way they could be father and son.
>From Lunenburg Co. VA. Marriage Records by Vogt:
Peter Andrews m. Amy Cooper 12 Nov. 1794
*The only thing I can use regarding a date of birth for this Peter is the
marriage record. Is his estimated date of birth about 1770? (If so, refer
to the information following the will of the other Peter Andrews, who
appears as the son of John Andrews in Chesterfield Co. in 1756 Tithe list).
Lunenburg Co. Deed Book 17, page 208. Indenture made 9 April 1796. Between
Abraham Andrews and Peter Andrews, Jr. both of Lunenburg Co. Abraham sold
to Peter, 133 acres. Recorded: 14 April 1796.
*The Jr. indicates that there was another, older Peter Andrews. Remember,
Jr. was not always the son of Sr. Which is true in this case. I think
Abraham was selling some land to his son, who had been married a little over
a year, and he was the younger Peter Andrews in the county.
Lunenburg Co. Deed Bk. 27, page 105. Written 28 March 1826. Lowry Andrews
of Lunenburg Co., for love of his father, Peter Andrews of same Co., and to
his mother, Onie Andrews, gave them all his property (stock and goods)
together with his interest in the Estate of Abraham Andrews, deceased, which
I have now in possession or may hereafter be in possession of. Signed:
Lowry Andrews
Witnesses: Jesse K. Andrews, L?.R. Andrews, Webster Gill.
Recorded: 10 April 1826.
*This seems to link Abraham, whose estate hadn't been settled too many
years, with Peter, and Peter's son, Lowry. This proves this Peter was
alive in 1826. The other Peter Andrews died in 1810.
Lunenburg Co. Will Book 11, page 157. Will of Peter Andrews:
Wife: Oney
Two sons: William A. Andrews and Lanxton C. Andrews.
Witnesses: Charles N? Gee, Francis Gill, Dennis Gee.
Recorded: 8 Aug. 1836
Page 173 seemed to be the same will. The wife's name (Oney above) "might"
be Amy or Emy.
Lunenburg Co. Deed Book 33, page 191-A. Elizabeth Thompson (formerly
Elizabeth Andrews, daughter of Peter Andrews, deceased) and husband
Spotswood Thompson sold to William A. Andrews, their portion of the estate.
Recorded September 1843?
Lunenburg Co. Will Book 14, page 17. Will of (Omey?) Andrews.
sons: William A. Andrews, George W. Andrews, and Langston C. Andrews.
1851.
>From the above sources, I think children of Peter Andrews and Amy (Cooper)
are: William A. Andrews, Langston Andrews, Lowry Andrews,
Elizabeth Andrews (m. Spotswood Thompson), and George W. Andrews.
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