On 20 November 1820, Edmund F. Noel, Richard Motley and William Fisher were bound in the penalty of $8,500 for Edmund F. Noel’s and Richard Motley’s execution of the estate of John Richeson, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, pages 149–150.]

The estate of John Richerson, deceased, in account with Richard Motley, one of the executors, from 1820 to 1823 was settled on 22 October 1823 by James Hunter, Ro: Hill, and Walter Bowie. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 20, pages 44–46.]

On 17 January 1825, Richard Motley, Benjamin H. Munday Jr., William Fisher, Benjamin H. Munday, Sr., and Edmund F. Noel were bound in the penalty of $20,000 for the joint executorship of Richard Motley, Benjamin H. Munday Jr., and William Fisher on the estate of William Fisher, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 20, page 101.]

In 1834 (no date recorded), an inventory of the estate of Archibald Ritchie was made by Richd Motley, Edward Wright, and Edmund F Noel, and was ordered recorded on 19 September 1836. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 64–65.]

On 21 September 1835, Richard Motley, Benjamin H Munday, Laurence Roane and George Wright were bound in the penalty of $100,000 for Richard Motley’s administration of the estate of William Fisher, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, page 410.]

On 24 November 1835, an inquisition was taken at the house of Henry A. Taylor, occupied by Thomas B. Martin, before Thomas Wright, coroner, upon the view of the body of Martin, a slave belonging to the estate of John Rennolds, deceased, hired by the said Henry A. Taylor, and upon the oaths of Warner Lewis, James Owen, Philip Coleman, Otway Rennolds, Arthur F. Rennolds, Richard Beazley, Jonathan Latham, Richard T. Hundley, Jackson Dyke, George Skelton, Green Coleman, and Richard Motley, they do say that the said Martin came to his death by being accidentally caught in the machinery of a mill. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, page 446.]

On 28 January 1836, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of John H. Upshaw, deceased, was made by L. C. Gatewood, Rd. Motley, and Wm H Hutchason. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, pages 459–460.]

On 22 August 1836, Richard Motley witnessed the will of Benjamin L. Fisher and proved the will in court on 19 September 1836. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 65.]

On 1 May 1837, Richard Motley witnessed the will of William Younger, and was named an executor of the will. He proved the will in court on 20 May 1839. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 380–381.]

On 17 July 1837, Richard Motley proved the 17 June 1834 nuncupative will of D. W. Pitts. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 139–140.]

On 15 January 1838, Richard Motley, as administrator of the estate of William Fisher, deceased, sold Negroes belonging to the estate. To William P. Taylor: Boy Philip, Girl Rachel, Frances and child about 8 mos. old; to Robert H. Harrison: Dennis; to George Wright: Sam Kellis; to James C. Clopton: Daniel; to Achilles Lumpkin: Martha; to Mr. Malichote [?]: Eliza. Total valuation $5,326.00. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 276.]

On 16 April 1838, Daniel Rennolds, Thomas B. Garnett, William Oliver, Muscoe Garnett Jr., Lewis Rennolds, Richard Motley, George T. F. Lanier, and Philip J. Rennolds were bound in the penalty of $65,000 for Daniel Rennolds’s and Thomas B. Garnett’s executorship of the estate of Barbee Spindle, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 272–273.]

On 25 October 1838, oratrix Sally Clements filed a bill of complaint stating that her late husband Edwin [also mentioned as Ewin] Clements died on the __ day September 18__ intestate, leaving an only daughter Ann L., then the wife of William Fisher decd. William Fisher with the consent of your oratrix took possession of the Estate with the understanding that he would provide Sally Clements with comfortable support. William Fisher proceeded to sell and dispose of the estate. The negroes or a great portion of them were sold in the State of Mississippi at high prices and your oratrix took residence in William Fisher’s family where she lived until Fisher’s death in September 1835. His administrator, Richard Motley, has taken possession of the estate. Filed as Clements vs. Motley. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 47, item 47-J-2.]

On 25 October 1838, Richard Motley filed answer to a bill exhibited against him by Sally Clements. He agrees with the allegations set forth in the bill. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 47, item 47-J-7.]

On 17 February 1840, John S. Rowzee and Richard Motley were bound in the penalty of $500 for John S. Rowzee’s administration of the estate of Edmund Jones, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 441.]