Buckingham Notables: Nicholas Maynard, Part II

Swem Library, William & Mary.  Photo by Joel Pattison.

Need to catch up? Click here: Buckingham Notable: Nicholas Maynard, Part I

Nicholas Maynard, formerly of Buckingham County, died in Mecklenberg County circa 1785. His last will survives and Slate River Ramblings follower Karen Williams shared the following transcription based on a copy found in the Austin-Twyman Papers — a treasure trove of Buckingham County records housed at William & Mary. Click here to learn more: Austin-Twyman Papers.

Here is Nicholas Maynard’s last will:

In the name of God Amen I Nicholas Maynard of Saint James’s Parish and Mecklenburg County being of perfect sence and memory praise be to God for the same and do dispose of all my worldly Goods and estate in the manner and form as followeth (to wit)

Imprimis  I lend to my beloved wife Elizabeth Maynard two hundred Acres  of land with the plantation I now live on with half my Stock and Household Goods and Chattels during her natural life. 

Imprimis  I give to my son Wagstaff Maynard three hundred and ninety eight acres Land more or less lying on the east side of Island Creek to him and his Heirs forever.

Imprimis  I give and bequeath to my son John Maynard the land and plantation whereon I now live containing three hundred and fifty six acres more or less to him and his Heirs forever.

Imprimis  I give to my daughter Mary Maynard one negro Girl named Philis to her and her Heirs forever

Imprimis  I give to my daughter Judah Maynard one negro girl named Amu to her and her Heirs forever.

Imprimis  I give to my daughter Frances Maynard one negro Girl named Lucy to her & her Heirs forever.

Imprimis  I give to my daughter Ann Maynard one negro Girl named Creasy to her and her Heirs forever

Imprimis  I give to my daughter Prudence Maynard forty pounds specie to be paid to her at age or marriage by my Executors.

I also lend to my wife Elizabeth six negros, Viz, Ben, James, Sarah, Fann, Milly and Nann provided she lends a grown negro to each of my sons or daughters when they marry or go for themselves during their life.  I also give to my wife Elizabeth Maynard the remainder half of my Stock and Household goods and Chattels to be at her own disposal for reason I have so made this my will and Testament is that my wife has sixteen negros left her during her life by her father Francis Wagstaff deced., and the same reason for not giving any Land to my son William Maynard as he has a Tract of land given him by his Grandfather the sd. Francis Wagstaff deced.  It is my will & desire is for my Executor to pay all my Just debts with the debts due me and the Crop of Tobacco and if there is any balance still due for my executor to sell any part of the lent estate and after the death of my wife Elizabeth Maynard it is my desire for all my said lent estate to be equally divided between my eight children, Viz, William Maynard, Wagstaff Maynard, John Maynard, Mary

Maynard, Judah Maynard, Frances Maynard, Ann Maynard & Prudence Maynard to them and their Heirs forever.  And I do appoint my wife Elizabeth Maynard executrix and William & Wagstaff Maynard executors to this my last Will and Testament  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty second day of October one thousand seven hundred and eighty three

Sig’d & acknowledged to be his last will & Testament in presence of us . . . . . . . . .    

Nicholas Maynard (seal)

David Royster

(blank) Royster

Martha (her x mark) Royster

Baxter Davis

At a Court held for Mecklenburg County the 8th day of August 1785 This Will was proved by the Oaths of Davis Royster (blank) Royster and Baxter Davis Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, And on the motion of Elizabeth Maynard, William Maynard, and Wagstaff Maynard the executors therein named who made oath thereto and together with Henry Walker and George Tarry Gent their securities entered into & acknowledged trier Bond in the penalty of five thousand pounds conditioned as the Law directs certificate was granted them for obtaining a probat [sic] of the said Will in due form.

Teste, John Brown, Ct. Clerk

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Many thanks to Karen Williams for illuminating the life and relations of Nicholas Maynard, the mystery man behind Maynards Church in Tillotson Parish, Buckingham County.