The will of John Hart, Sr. can be found in Will Book 2, p. 34 Charlotte County, Virginia dated 2 June 1793 and was probated 2 September 1793. It follows:
"Last Will and Testament of John Hart sen.
In the name of God amen I John Hart sen. being apprehensive of the uncertainty of life and
afflicted at this time by a disorder which may prove mortal do in my sound mind and
memory, constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament. Imprimis I do give To
my son Caleb Hart and his heirs a negro boy named Ned & a girl named Jude, Item I do
give to my son William Hart and to his heirs two negro boys named London and James, Item I
do give to my son John Hart and to his heirs two negro boys Shadrack & Harry. Item I
do give to my son Israel Hart and to his heirs two negroes a boy named Limon & a girl
named Kate. Item I do give to Beasley Hart and his heirs two negroes named Tally &
Nancy. Item I do give to Thomas Hart & to his heirs a girl named Eve and a boy named
Emanuel, and a negro boy named Lewis in consideration of his being overseer for me several
years. Item I do give to my daughter Elizabeth the wife of Gabriel Beasley a negro girl
named Milly with all her increase as well those already born as those to be born and no
more. Item I do confirm unto the estate of William Beasley dec. a negro girl named Fan and
all her children as well as those born and those to be born, whom I gave to William
Beasley in his life time and desire that the said slaves shall go to the legal
representatives of the said William Beasley as if he had died having a full legal title to
her. Item I do give to my Grand Daughter Mary the daughter of Cornelius Hart Dec. a negro
named Isaac and no more to her & to her heirs. Item I do give to my wife during her
natural life all the residue of my estate real and personal and of every nature and kind
whatsoever subject to the payment if of my debts, and after the death of my dear wife I do
authorize and desire my executors or the survivors of them to sell the whole of my land
and all my slaves not before specifically given to there increases at a public sale to the
highest bidder for the best price that can be obtained at twelve months credit taking of
the purchaser or purchasers bonds with good security for the payment of the consideration
money, and when such bond or bonds shall be taken. I do authorize my executors or the
survivors of them to make to the purchaser or purchases a lawful title in fee simple to
the land by deed and a title to the slaves. It is my desire and request to my executors to
sell my land & slaves to any of my children rather then to any other person, provided
they or any of them will give as much for the property as the executor shall think the
property is worth, and will give sufficient security for payment of the considered money,
otherwise they will devised to sell the land and slaves to any other persons. Item, It is
my desire that if all the debts are not paid at the death of my wife my executors shall
first pay the debt which may then be due by part of the proceeds of the sales of the
aforesaid land and slaves. Item, After the death of my wife I do desire that the value of
the whole estate both real and personal above given to her for life shall be equally
divided with the increase amongst my following children, Caleb, William, John, Israel,
Beasley, Thomas, and my daughter Nancy Beasley and their heirs, share and share alike, I
do appoint Robert Bedford & John Spencer & William Hart Executors of this my last
Will & Testament in Testimony whereof I do hereto set my hand and affix my seal this
second day of June 1793.
Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of Paul
Carrington, Jr., Robert Bedford, John Hart John Hart (SS)
At a court held for Charlotte County the 2nd day of September 1793 -
"This Last Will and Testament of John Hart dec. was exhibited in court by John
Spencer, Robert Bedford and William Hart the executor herein named and the same was proved
by the oath of Robert Bedford and John Hart and ordered to be recorded. On the motion of
William Hart who made the Oath According to the Law certificate is granted to him for
obtaining a probate of the said will in due form he giving security whereupon he together
with Phillip King and Obediah Brumfield his securities ?? entered into and acknowledged
their bond according to the law for that purpose reserving liberty to the other executors
or fores to join in the probate there of when they shall think fit.
Teste Thomas Read cc"
From notes of other Hart family researchers:
(2 Sept. 1793)
(1) Son Caleb Hart Negro, Ned, Jude
(2) Son William Hart Negro, London, James
(3) Son John Hart Negro, Shadrack, Harry
(4) Son Isreal Hart Negro, Limon, Kate
(5) Son Beasley Hart Negro, Tally, Nancy
(6) Son Thomas Hart Negro, Eva, Emanuel, Lewis
(7) Dau. Elizabeth wife of Gabriel Beasley Negro, Milly
I give to the Estate of William Beasley "Dec." Negro, Tan
Grand Dau. Mary Dau. of Cornelius Hart "Dec." Negro Isaac
Wife Rest of Estate during her life.
Inventory 3 Feb 1794 (Will Book 2, Page 40)
Author: Roger L. Roberson, Jr. • Last updated: 11 January 2003