“Kemp Gatewood departed this life 11th March 1836” [Gatewood Family Bible, Library of Virginia Accession No. 32750.]

The will of Kemp Gatewood of the County of Essex and State of Virginia was dated 12 August 1832. After debts are paid from the sales of crops, I desire my grist Mill together with all the land adjoining be sold with funds to be equally divided between my four children William L Gatewood, Susan E Gatewood, Sarah A Gatewood, Mary C Gatewood. Beloved wife Barbara Gatewood shall hold all the rest of my estate her possession untill my children are [illegible], and then estate to be divided. My Belvoir plantation to be divided between William L Gatewood and Susan E Gatewood. I loan to my beloved wife the land I live on known as Benlomand, and slaves Landon, Lucy & young child Barret, Mary & child, Richard, Marrice, Sally, Milly, Nelly & George. Other slaves to be equally divided between four children. After death of wife, Benlomand to be equally divided between two youngest children Sarah A Gatewood and Mary E Gatewood. My beloved wife to be guardian to my three daughters and be executrix. Signed Kemp Gatewood. On 19 September 1836, proved by Edward M Ware, Muscoe Garnett and Richard J Muse, who state they are familiar with the handwriting of Kemp Gatewood. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 66.]

On 19 September 1836, Barbara Gatewood, Jones C Clopton, Richard J Muse, Edwd M Ware, Wm L Gatewood, George Wright and Oscar M Crutchfield were bound in the penalty of $38,000 for Barbara Gatewood’s adminsitration with the will annexed of the estate Kemp Gatewood, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 67.]

On 21 November 1836, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Kemp Gatewood was submitted by Barbara Gatewood, administratrix with the will annexed. Includes Negroes Milly (about 70 years old, no value), Isaac (60), Maurice (50), Dick (50), Winnie (54), Nelly (45), Sally (48), George (Sally’s Child) (11), Burrett[?] (36), Lunnen{?} (36), Hithan[?] (36), Pollidare (32), Spottswood (25), Sanson (23), Jefferson (15), Link Barrett (13), Lucy (32), Polly (13), Fleming (9), Phillis (8), Lewis (5) [the three or perhaps four previous listed as Lucy’s children], Richard (6), Kingston (5), Fanny (10), Rachel (25), and Infant James Henry (apparently son of Rachel) (1 month) [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 94–95.]

The estate of Kemp Gatewood in account with Barbara Gatewood, administratrix with the will annexed, from 1836 to 1838 was ordered recorded 21 January 1839. Includes receipts from William L. Gatewood, O. M. Crutchfield (in right of his wife), Miss Sarah Ann Gatewood (in one place changed to Muscoe Garnett), and Miss Mary Elizabeth Gatewood, acknowledging distributions from the estate. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 346–350.]