The will of Meriday Brown of the parish of Saint Ann & County of Essex was dated 23 March 1808. To Edward Brown sixty acres of land as formerly laid off by William Jones. To daughter Elizabeth Noel one negroe girl Nan. To son Daniel Brown tract of land on the west side of the tract upon which I now live to the line of the land I bought of John Sale, that is to say, where the line of Watling now is, including that part upon which Daniel now lives. To son Lewis Brown all the residue of my land, and also stock of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, furniture. To daughter Polly Brown, one bed and furniture, and one bay mare. To sons Edward, Daniel, and Lewis, and to daughter Polly, to be equally divided among them, all my negroes excepting the negroe girl Nan, but it is to be understood that a negroe girl I formerly gave to my son Edward named Dinah and a negro girl named Mary which I formerly gave to my son Daniel shall be considered apart of the aforesaid slaves. Sons Daniel and Lewis Brown to be executors. Signed Merriday Brown. Witnesses: H.B. Brooke, John Richeson, Joseph Ryland, James his + mark Younger. Proved 19 December 1808 by Joseph Ryland and James Younger. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 17, pages 95–96.]

On 19 December 1808, Daniel Brown, Lewis Brown, Benjamin H Munday and Leonard Sale were bound in the penalty of $15,000 for Daniel Brown’s and Lewis Brown’s executorship of the estate of Merriday Brown, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 17, page 96.]

The estate of Merriday Brown in account with Daniel & Lewis Brown, executors, from 1808 to 1810 was ordered recorded 16 July 1810. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 17, pages 203–204.]

On 30 December 1808, the slaves of the estate of Merriday Brown were divided into four equal lots, to Polly Browne, Edward B Browne, Lewis Browne, and Danl. Browne. Ordered recorded 16 July 1810. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 17, page 204.]