In his last will and testament, George Jordan of Surry County expressly forbade guns to be fired over his grave and directed that his executors permit no drunkenness to disgrace the occasion. In his last will and testament, he wished agood and decent funeral. This is but one of the interesting stories the genealogist learns upon examining the estate of colonials. He obtains a knowledge of the history of the area, pecular bequests, and stories to tell family members. However, it is not enough to simply read the will, one must also study every detail of the estate proceedings, from the inventories and annual returns to receipt vouchers. Source: Surry County Records, Vol. 1671-84, p. 295. List of Traced Virginia Families on this website
It is always a good idea to search through the old wills and estates. Typically, during the 17th century, Virginia records such as wills, deeds, inventories, accounts, estates bonds and guardianships were kept in the same book. Spotsylvania County created separate account books, however, where great details were enumberated concerning the orphans of an estates. Here, you will find bonds, appraisals, names of guardians, the distribution of the estate, etc. But, also, the estates of the parents are mentioned. Lots of goodies in the guardian accounts! Nothing was left out. So, you are going to get the details of the situation.
New Additions Added to Virginia Pioneers.net
Surry County Guardian Accounts - 1672-1750; 1744-1762; 1762-1783; 1783-1803; 1804-1820; 1821-1831