"Wills & Probate Records"

The following were submitted by Juli Morgan.

Amelia County, Virginia Will Book 2, page 155:
Last Will & Testament of Thomas Bates of Nottoway Parish in Amelia County. The will was dated 9 September 1775. Bequests were made to his daughter Elizabeth Crenshaw, "my riding mare", granddaughter Mary Crenshaw, "my bed and furniture", daughter Mary Bates, "Negro woman Jane and 6 pounds cash", and to his son Abner Bates, "remainder my estate, whether it be money or money's worth." Abner was also the sole executor. The witnesses were John Bailey, William Hood and Joseph Cheely.

P. 173:
Thomas Bates' Estate inventory dated 20 November 1775. Inventory was taken by Abner Bates and contained one slaves, a Negro woman named Jane.

Amelia County, Virginia Will Book 4, page 127:
The Last Will & Testament of Abner Bates. The will was written 20 August 1788 and proven 26 February 1789. Abner was a resident of Nottoway Parish in Amelia county, Virginia. Bequests were left to his wife Susannah Bates, son William Bates, son David Bates, daughter Sarah Tye, daughter Elizabeth Bates, daughter Ann Bates, sister, Mary Bates, Charles Drinkwater (his wife Susannah's son) & to Susannah's two eldest daughters. He named as executors his sons William and David, and his friend William Hood. Witnesses were Edward Jackson, Jesse Hood, Frederick Hood, William Hood.