Mary HILL

   Other names for Mary were Mrs. Clement READ and Mrs. Mary READ.

   User ID: P00051277.

  General Notes:

Notes for Mary Hill:
She was a wealthy and most accomplished lady. She lived at "White Bank," one of the old Robinson homesteads in King and Queen County, and it was there that Clement Read, the adopted son of John, or "President" Robinson, first saw her.
"Madam Read", as she was called, was one of the most imposing characters in the beginning of Charlotte. The county seat was named in her honor, Marysville, and many anecdotes of this spirited old dame, her stately bearing, her strong family pride, her zealous support of the church of her forefathers, etc., are still preserved. She is said to have been "the only daughter of William Hill, an officer of the British Navy of the same family as the Marquis of Downshire, by his wife Priscilla Jenings, daughter of Governor Edmund Jenings of Virginia."
The records of King and Queen County having been destroyed, I have not been able to verify the parentage of Col. Clement Read, or of his wife."
The Cabells and Their Kin, Alexander Brown.

Notes for MARY HILL:
Her will, written April 26, 1783, was probated in Charlotte Co., Dec. 4, 1786
Will of Madam Read
In the name of God, Amen.

I, Mary Read the elder, of the parish of Cornwall, County of Charlotte, being in perfect health, and of sound mind and memory, calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, do make and Ordain this as my last will and Testament:--

First, I recommend my Soul to God, and my body to be buried in decent and Christian manner by my Executors--

As to my worldly estate which providence has blessed me with, I give and dispose of in the following manner, that is to say, first I give and bequeath unto my Loving Daughter Anne Jameson my chest of drawers and also give the said Anne my negro woman Ritta, to her and her heirs forever, but the issue of the said Ritta I give to be equally divided among the children of the said Anne Jameson at the death of their mother; to them and their heirs and assigns forever-- I give to my Grand-Daughter Mary Jameson a negro girl named Bett, daughter of Betty Gale to her and her heirs forever-- I give to my great grand daughter Mary Read Cameron, the daughter of Anne Owen Cameron a negro girl named Lucy, the child of Catenah to her and her heirs forever-- I give to my son Jonathan Read my desk and Book Case with my Libra of Books to him and his heirs forever-- I give to my son Thomas Read my Courthouse Tract of Land to him and his heirs forever--

I direct that all my negroes not herein bequeathed be sold, and the Money arising from the sale I give to be equally divided between my sons Thomas Read and Jonathan Read and my Daughter Anne Jameson to them and their heirs and assigns.

I give all my moveable Estate together with my Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Hoggs etc and every other Species of Articles to be equally divided between my sons Thomas Read Edmund Read and Jonathan Read and my Daughter Anne Jameson to them and their Heirs forever.--But first subject to the payment of my just debts which I desire maye paid as soon as possible by my Executors--

I desire my son Thomas Read to pay to his Aunt Anne Read, the widow of James Read the annual sum of Five pounds during her natural life out of the rents of the Courthouse Land given him-- And Lastly I do Constitute and appoint my sons Thomas Read Edmund Read and Jonathan Read Executors of this my last Will andTestament, hereby revoking all others by me heretofore made, and declare this only to be my last will.

In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this twenty sixth day of April One thousand seven hundred and eighty three

Mary Read L.S.
Signed Sealed and Acknowledged in the presence of
Claiborne Watkins.

At a Court held for Charlotte County, the 4th day of December, 1786.
This last will and testament of Mary Read, Sen'r, dec'd was exhibited in Court by Thomas Read and Jonathan Read, two of the executors therein named, and the same was proved by the oath of Claiborne Watkins the witness hereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded. On the motion of the said executors, who made oath according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form, they giving security, whereupon they, with Joel Watkins their security, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of Thirty Thousand pounds for the due and faithful execution of the said will, reserving liberty to Edmund Read, the other executor to join in the probate thereof when he shall think fit.

Teste: Thomas Read, Clerk.

At a Court held for Charlotte County, the first day of January, 1787.
On the motion of Edmund Read, one of the executors of Mary Read, Sen'r, dec'd, who made oath according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will with the other executors, he giving security whereupon he with Jacob Morton, his security, entered into and acknowledged their bond for that purpose.

Teste: Thomas Read, Clerk.
Truly recorded: Thomas Read, Clerk.
A COPY;
Teste:
H. B. Chermside.
Recorded in Will Book No. 1, p. 88.

Mary married Col. Clement READ in 1732. (Col. Clement READ was born in 1707 and died on 2 Jan 1763.)