By: Lela C. Adams, Pub. 1986, Reprinted 2014, 274 pages, Index, ISBN #0-89308-581-2. Pittsylvania County was created in 1767 from Halifax County, VA. It was a important migration path for early settlers moving into Tennessee, Georgia and North & South Carolina. Many of her early settlers were from Pennsylvania, including Germans, Quakers, Welch and Scot-Irish. Also many families through out Virginia relocated here from such counties as: Brunswick, Charlotte, Amelia, Prince Edward, and other Tidewater counties. This book contains not only wills of individuals, but also guardians and administrators bonds; bastardy, apprentice, trustees, sheriffs and treasurers bonds, and inventories of estates. The names of approximately 14,500 persons are found in these legal records of this important county.

Fothergill's work improves upon William A. Crozier's efforts for Westmoreland County by including abstracts of wills of one entire volume (1665-77) omitted by Crozier, and extending Crozier's period of coverage (in Virginia County Records, New Series, Vol. I) by six years to 1800. About 8,000 related individuals are mentioned in 1,200 will abstracts, which typically give the name of the decedent, dates of recording and probate, heirs, executors, and, sometimes, the place of residence. Crucial for anyone doing research in Westmoreland County.