William L Gatewood was mentioned in the 12 August 1832 will of his father, Kemp Gatewood, proved 19 September 1836. [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 17 April 1837, Ythel M Parry, Larkin Hundley and Wm L Gatewood were bound in the penalty of $5,000 for Ythel M Parry’s administration of the estate of Bejamin Hundley, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 112.]

On 28 April 1837, an inventory and appraisal of the estate Benjamin Hundley, deceased, was made by John Sadler, William L. Gatewood, and Leroy Cauthorn. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 273.]

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.]

On 15 December 1838, Wm L Gatewood witnessed the will of Frances Street, and proved the will in court on 17 June 1839. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 387–388.]

“William L. Gatewood departed this life at the Residence of Mr. Alxr. Dudleys King & Queen Co on the night of the 22nd of April 1868. He went to Sleep in health and awoke in Eternity. May this (the uncertainty of life) be a warning to his posterity.” [Gatewood Family Bible, Library of Virginia Accession No. 24603.]