Lt. William Penn

 *  6. William Penn, born April 9, 1746, Caroline Co., VA., died of smallpox March 15, 1777, in Trenton, NJ. 

'William...owned the land upon which Nashville is built. William died a bachelor, in the Continental Army in 1777 [smallpox]'

WILLIAM PENN'S WILL

I, William Penn, of the County of Amherst and Colony of Virginia, being perfectly sound in mind, and well in health, but fully sensible of the uncertainty of human life, have thought proper (as I intend going into the Armies of the United Colonies of America) do dispose of the estate money or effect I may die possessed of in mann following, ---but first as I have a firm reliance on the wisdom and goodness of God, when it shall please him to take me out of this transitory life, I cheerfully resign my soul into his hands who knows best how to dispose of it, who gave it and who alone can take it away. My will and desire is that whatever estate real and personal I may die possessed of may be sold and converted into money by my Executors hereafter mentioned, and out of the money arising therefrom all of my just debts may be paid with all convenient speed, and the balance of any remaining, I give and bequeath in manner, following, To my brother George Penn I give and bequeath one fourth part to him and his heirs. To my brother Phillip Penn I give and bequeath one fourth part to him and his heirs forever. To my brother Gabriel Penn I give and bequeath one fourth part to him and his heirs forever. To my brother Abraham Penn I give and bequeath one-fourth part to him and his heirs. And I do hereby constitute and appoint the aforesaid George Penn and Gabriel Penn (my brothers) to be Executors of this my last will and testament, whom I require and enjoin to dispose of the same according to teh true intent and meaning of the nothwithstanding any forms of ceremonies of law that may be wanting. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the prescence of three subscribing witnesses this thirteenth day of August in the year of Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six. WILLIAM PENN [L.S.] Signed by the testator William Penn and declared to be his last and only Will & Testament in presence of us. Edmd. Wilcox David Shepherd Thomas Landrum

At a Court held for Amherst County the Seventh day of July, 1777. This last Will and Testament of William Penn, deceased, was presented in Court by George Penn and Gabriel Penn, the Executors therein named and proved by the oaths of David Shepherd and Thomas Landrum, two subscribing witnesses, and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of the said Executors who made oath according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining probate thereof in due form, giving security, whereupon they with Edmund Wilcox their security is to give bond in the Clerk's Office in the penalty of Two Hundred pounds with condition required by law. Test: EDMD. WILCOS, Clk Will Book No 1, p 355, Amherst County, VA Exd by Wm Loving, D. Clk.

Source:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mysouthernfamily/myff/d000...