Wills can answer questions or raise them. Sarah Turberville's Orange County Will is one such document.
From Orange County, Virginia, Will book 2, pages 310-311:
In the Name of God Amen I Sarah Turbervile of Orange County in the Colony of Virginia . . . do make & Ordain this my last Will . . .
I give to my Son John Willis one Shilling sterling . . .
I give to my son William Willis Ten Shillings . . .
I give to my son Henry Wood Two pounds . . .
I give to my son David Hudson one Shilling sterling . . .
I give to my son Joshua Hudson one Shilling Sterling ....
and so it goes. The question is, how many times was Sarah married? And how many husbands did she outlive? The search for information on Sarah led me through several husbands and taught me about Virginia inheritance and probate settlement in the mid-18th century.
Articles about Sarah on our site:
The Oftmarried Sarah
Rushing Around to Figure Sarah Out
The Reality of Sarah's Realty
Sarah is my ancestor. She's also the ancestor of a well-known radio personality who shall remain anonymous.
