William Payne I

William served as executor of his father-in-law's estate when his will was proven late in 1696. In September 1698 William presented his indentured servant, Henry Davis, to the Lancaster County Court to have his age judged. Davis was found to 15 years old and ordered to serve his master for nine years. In the will of Joseph Harrison, written in December 1699, William Payne was named as one of his executors.

William wrote his own will on September 24th, 1696 in St. Marys Whitechapel Parish, Lancaster County. He noted that his two sons William and Richard were provided for in the will of their grandfather, Richard Merriman. He gave to his son John all of his land in the "freshes" of the Rappahannock River, and to his son George all of the land in the forest of Lancaster. He named two daughters and noted that should his sons die before coming of age that their land should go to their sisters. He requested that if his wife remarried then "in that case it is my will that all my sons shall be free to manage over their own persons and affairs and to act and do for themselves at the age of sixteen." William's will was probated on November 12th, 1700.

Susannah presented William's estate inventory in court before his will was recorded on October 9th, 1700. The total value of the items counted came to £241 14 shillings 3 1/2 pence. The inventory included seven horses along with cattle and hogs. Inside his home were five feather bed sets, two flock bed sets, a pair of pistols, two swords, carpentry tools, joining tools, several suits of clothing and rolls of fabric including silk.

Also counted in William's inventory were three indentured servants with time remaining to serve and one female slave.