On 10 September 1698, Mary St John and Richd Covington were bound 20,000 pounds of good scented tobacco and caske for Mary St John’s execution of the last will and testament of Thomas St John, deceased. Signed Mary her H mark St John, Richd Covington. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 9, pages 225–226.]

On 10 March 1699, William Claibourn of Pomoncky Neck in King & Queen County Gent: sold to Mary St. John of Essex County planter. For £50 sterling money, a tract of land lately Surveyed by Wm Gough of King & Queen County Gent: bounding as followeth beginning at a little Bush in ye mouth of a branch & runeth up ye branch called Covingtons branch ye Severall courses three hundred & three poles to a corner poplar in ye mouth of a Small Gutt & then begining at ye aforesd begining & runing up ye Dragon Swamp ye Several coursees three hundred & nineteen poles to a corner white oake in ye sd Swamp then from ye sd corner poplar So: nine degrees & East two hundred & Ten poles to ye white oake. Signed WClaiborne. Witnesses: Richd Wyatt, Samll Coates, Phil Parr. On 10 March 1698 ordered to be recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 9, pages 316–317.]

On 10 March 1698/9, Mary St John, Exec of ye last Will & Testamt of my husband Tho St. John late of this County deces do hereby for myselfe my heirs Exers & admors acquitt exonerate & discharge Capt Wm Claiborne in King & Queen County his heirs Exers admrs forever for two hundred Acres of Land sold by Coll Wm Claiborne to my husband Tho St John acknowledged to have reced of ye sd Capt Claiborne a good & Sufficient Deed & by him acknowledged in Essex County Court therefor I do acquitt & discharge ye sd Claiborne his heirs & admors from all accons Suit controveries & disputes. Signed Mary her H Mark St John. Witnesses: Saml Coats, Phil Parr. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 9, page 317.]

On 10 June 1699, “Edwd Brimingham Servant to Mary St: John mov’d that he had Served four years according to his Indenture & produced it in ordr. for his Freedom but ye Court adjudging ye Indenture insufficient have ordered that he Serve for [damage] according [damage] of ye Countrey[?]. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 1695–1699, page 148.]

On 9 September 1699, Mary St. Johns of Southfarnham parish in ye County of Essex, widow, for love good will & affection wth: I have & bear unto my two Dear & Loveing Sons Tho: St: Johns & Wm St Johns both of Southfarnham parish & County of Essex, give all that plantation and Land wch: I now Live upon wch: my Late Husband Tho: St: Johns since deced formerly bought of Coll: Wm: Claibourn lying in Southfarnham parish as Also that tract wch ye sd: Mary St. John Lately bought of Mr Richard Covington all wch: sd: plantation & Land doth Contain by Estimation two hundred and fifty Acres more or Less., to be Equally divided betwen ye sd Tho: St: Johns & Wm: St: Johns, and that ye sd Tho: St: Johns Shall Enjoy one halfe of ye Orchard belonging to ye Sd: plantation after ye sd: Mary St: Johns decease and further yt: my Daughter Eliz Cooper ye now wife of Wm: Cooper Shall have free Liberty her & her Husband dureing her Naturall life to remaine abide & be upon ye sd plantation where they are now Seated, but if in Case ye Surviver be Sd. Husband Wm: Cooper to have ye Same priviledg upon ye Sd plantaton during her [sic] Naturall life According to a Lease Instrument or writing Signed Sealed & Delivered unto ye sd Wm. Cooper & his wife by Tho St: Johns my Late Husband, & further yt my two Sons Tho St: Johns & Wm: St: Johns Shall have free priviledg & Liberty to Seat upon ye Land when Each of them Shall Attaine unto ye age of Eighteen yeares. Signed Mary her H mark St: Johns. Witnesses: Edward Danelane, Jno: Prosser. On 10 September 1699 ordered to be recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 10, page 36.]

On 17 October in ye Eleventh yeare of ye Raign of our dread Soveraigne William [1699], Richard Covington of Southfarnham Parish and County of Essex Gent. and Ann his wife sold to Mary St: Johns of the same, widow. For 3,000 pounds Sweet Scented tobacco and Cask, a Tract of Land Belonging to ye best land devident Scituate in the aforesaid parish and County Adjoyning to ye Land of Mary: St: Johns Bounding as followeth Beginning on ye North Side of ye Dragon Swamp at a Corner tree of ye sd Mary St: Johns Land and so up ye said Maine Swamp to ye mouth of a branch called ye White Oake branch and so up ye sd. branch to a Small Slash Issueing out of ye Said branch and so up ye sd: Slash by Marked trees to a Path that goeth from Mary: St: Johns to Thomas: Hawertons and So Down ye sd. Path to ye Land of ye Said Mary St: Johns Containing by Estemation fifty Acres. Signed Richard: Covington, Ann Covington. Witnesses: Arthur his A mark Hodges, Samll: Coates. On 10 November 1699 ordered to be recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 10, pages 35–36.]

On 10 September 1700, Mary Billington, Wm Cooper, and Henry Perkins were bound £400 sterling for Mary Billington’s administration of the estate of Jno Billington, deceased. Signed Mary her H mark Billington, Wm his C mark Cooper, Hen his HP mark Perkins. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 10, pages 48–49.]

On 10 March 1700 [1701], Judgmt. is granted to Capt Richd Covington agt Mary Billington admx of Jno Billington deced for £7:18:4 Sterl: due by acct Sworne to by ye plt to be paid with Costs of Suit Als Exec. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 1699–1702, page 79.]

On 11 March 1700 [1701], Judgment is granted to Mary Covington admx of Tho Covington deced agt Mary Billington admx of Jno Billington deced for £6:16-0 Sterl. due on ballance of ye sd To Covingtons acct. to be paid with Costs of Suit Als Exec. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 1699–1702, page 79.]

On 11 March 1700 [1701], Mary Billington presented a further act. of ye estate of her deced husband Jno Billington wch is ordered to be recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 1699–1702, page 79.]

On 11 March 1700 [1701], Judgmt. is granted to Leo: Hill agt. Mary Billington Admx of John Billington deced for thirteene hundred & Fifty eight pounds of Swet Scented Tobo due by Accot. Sworne to by ye plt to be paid with Costs of Suit als Ex. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 1699–1702, page 82.]

On 11 March 1700 [1701], Michael Rice not appeareing to prosecute his Accon agt. Mary Billington Admx. of John Billington deced is nonsuited & ordered to pay damage according to Law wth Costs als Exec. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 1699–1702, page 82.]

On 10 June 1701, Judgmt. is granted to Capt Wm Jones agt Mary Billington lately called Mary St John for four hundred & fifty pounds of Sweet Scented Tobacco due by Accot to be paid with Costs of Suit Als Exec. [Essex County, Virginia, Order book 1699–1702, page 91.]

On 10 June 1706, William Cheaney of the parish of Southfarnham in the County of Essex sold to Mary Billington of the same. For 6,000 pounds of good Sweet Sented Tobacco and Caske, a parcel of 250 acres being the Parish and County aforesaid, begining at a White Oak on the South Side of the mouth of fearny branch, thence North Sixty degrees East two hundred Seventy four poles, to two red oaks in Cheaneys line, thence South fifty five degrees East one hundred & forty poles to a great white Oake, thence South Sixty degrees West two hundred thirty Eight poles to a Spanish Oak, by the North Side of the mouth of Jenkins branch on Pigg point, thence up and along the side of the Dragon Swamp Its Severall Courses to the begining According to a Survey made by Mr Harry Beverley Surveyer on eighth day of October One thousand Seven hundred and five, but if the above said Quantity of two hundred & fifty acres of Land is not Contain’d or included within the aforesaid bounds then the Said William Cheaney is to lay out more land Adjoyning to the same. Signed Wm Cheaney. Witnesses: James Boughan Junr:, Henry Rodan Junr:, William Skipwird. Dower released by Rebecca Cheaney. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 12, page 290.]

On 10 June 1706, William Cheaney was bound 15,000 pounds of good Sweet Sented Tobo: and Caske as warranty for the sale of the same date of 250 acres to Mary Billington. Signed Wm: Cheaney. Witesses: James Boughan Junr:, Homer Rodan Junr:, William Skipward. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 12, page 291.]

In the name of God Amen I Mary Billington in the parish of Southfarnham and the County of Essex now being sick & weak in body but of perfect sence & memory thanks be to almighty God & calling to mind the unsartain state of this mortal life & that it is appointed for all mortals once to dye do make this my last will & testament as for what small estate it hath pleased God to bless me with I give in form following Vizt first I give & bequeath my Soul to ye almighty who gave it me hoping through the merrits of my blessed Saviour to have full pardon for all my sins, Secondly my body to be decently buried at discretion of Execrs. I lend to my son in Law Nathanll Newbill one parcell or track of Land lying on the side of the Dragon swamp it being the Land that I bought of one William Chaney to him during his life, and after his decease I give the sd Land to his son Thomas Newbill and his heirs for ever. I likewise give to John and Thomas St John the sons of Thomas St John deced one hundred & twenty acres of Land at the lower part of my track where I now live to be equally devided between them when they attain the age of twenty one years and the remainer of the track I give to William St John the son of William St John decest & to their heirs of their bodys lawfully begotten and in case either of them shou’d dye without Issue that then their part so dying to goe & desend to Thomas Newbill & his heirs. I likewise give to the abovesd William St John one negro & to his heirs and one feather bed & furniture excepting curtains & valing, I likewise give to Tabitha the wife of Henry Purkins senr. one feather bed & furniture except curtains & valings and I give the sd Tabitha Purkins ten pounds Cash, I give to my Grand daughter Mary Deshazoe one young negro which she now hath in possession to her & her heirs for ever Item I give to Hannah Harper the wife of Edward Harper one negro & to her heirs forever Item I give to Hannah Covington the daughter of Thomas Covington one young negro to be paid to her on the day of marriage or when she comes to the age of eighteen years Item I give to Barbary Catherine & Thomas Newbill each of them one negro to them and their heirs for ever, Itum I give to John & Thomas St John the sons of Thomas St John decest one negro between them equally to be devided, I likewise desire that if after my desese Elizabeth St John the widow of William St John desest doth clearly acquit & discharge my heirs Exers & every of them from all claimes due to her & her children in my Estate by inheritance from William St John decest and aslso enter into bonds that neither she nor any person for her or her children shall never bring no action or writ nor sumons nor no ways claim no right title nor interest to no part or parcell of my Estate from the abovesaid William St John as being due to him from me, and also that when her five sons comes to ye age of twenty one years that every one of them to wit Richard James Thomas Abraham and Isaac St John and every of them acquit & clearly discharge my heirs Exrs & every of them from from [sic] all claim right title or Intrust in my Estate, that then my Exers pay each of the above mentioned Richard James Thomas Abraham & Isaac St John one negro, but in case any one of her sons or her self should refuse to enter in such bonds or not give such a discharge as above that then my Exrs pay each of the above five sons one shilling it being all that I intend they shall have of any Estate if any Lawsuite should ever accrue by any of them for any part of my Estate I lend to Nathan Newbill [four? damaged] of my best negrs during his life and after his death to be devided betwen Thomas turn over Thomas [sic, all inline but clearly from the bottom of the page of the original will] Newbill and Catherin Newbill and to their heirs for ever And it is my will and desire that if any one or more of my negroes should die in the possession of my Exers that such negro or negros soe dying ye value thereof be proportioned amongst all them that I have given any negroe to so that every one bare an equal part according to the quantity of negroes they are to have or have had, to the intent that my Execrs may not bare the less of any of my negroes by any means of death or any misfortain not tell such time as my Exers have fully paid all Legetes & other claims due from my Estate It is my will that all my personal Estate that is not already given or may not be given before my decease may be equally devided amongst Nathanll Newbill and all his Children share & share alike Itum it is my will that each of William Coopers Children and himself have one shilling paid them of my estate it being all I intend for to give to my daughter Elizabeth decest and her heris It is my will and desire that if any person whatever after my decease should claim or sue for any part of my estate pretending any gift or promise of or from me, more then is in this will or is not already in their possession that my heirs & Exers shall not allow of any such claim whatever for I do renounce them all, and it is my will that my Exers be allowed for all their trouble & charges whatever they may be at, in the defending & secureing of my Estate to be paid them out of my Estate and also for my funeral expenses to be allowed out of my Estate Is is my will and desire that if any person whatever should recover any part of my Estate or negroes, that such estate or negroes so recovered the true value thereof be equally proportioned amongst Nathanll Newbill & all his Children according to what part and quantity they are to have of my Estate to the intent that every one of them bare their equal part of such in proportion Finally and lastly I do appoint constitute & ordain Nathanll Newbill and Henry Purkins junr my hole and sole Execrs of this my last will & testament revoaking & disallowing all and every will and wills heretofore by me made I do acknowledge declare & publish this my last will & testament As witness my hand & seal this twenty third day of July 1727. Signed Mary her XX mark Billington. Witnesses: Jer Shepard, James his N mark Newbill, James his I mark Dicks. On 16 January 1727, presented in court by Nathl Newbill & Henry Purkins and proved by the oaths of James Newbill and James Dicks. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 4, pages 248–250.]

On 16 January 1727, Henry Pukins junr, Nathaniel Newbill, Henry Purkins, and Wm Covington were bound £1,000 sterling for the executorship of the estate of Mary Billington, deceased, by Henry Purkins junr and Nathaniel Newbill. Signed Henry Purkins junr., Nathl: his N mark Newbell, Henry his HP mark Purkins, Wm Covington. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 4, pages 250–251.]

On 3 February 1727 [1728], an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Mary Billington, deceased, was made by James Edmondson, Thomas Bryant, and Richd Bush, returned by Henry Purkins junr. and Nathll his N mark Newbell. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 4, pages 260–262.]