While researching wills on the National Archives of the United Kingdom website, I downloaded the will of Maximillan Robinson. (Not to be confused with the later Max. Robinson who lived in King George Co., VA in the 1760's, his probable great nephew.)

The will of Max. Robinson, Mariner of Rotherhithe, Surrey, England was dated 8 Oct 1695 and is located in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11/427.

In this will he mentions "Southings Ferry." A quick look at Dasey Southall shows the earliest he would have been born would be 1690. He would have been five years old when this will was written. Was there an earlier Southall? Since Dasey married a Barrett who had Barrett's Ferry, does this show that one ferry family may have married into another ferry family?

Max. Robinson gives his nephews William Robinson and James Robinson "all my tract of land lyeing in Rappa: river Commonly called SOUTHINGS FERRY to them and their heirs lawfully begotten....the Eldest to have his part the other to bee in hands of Mr. Henry Awbrey and John Drane to be delivered him when hee shall arrive att the same age...the said Henry Awbrey and John Drane shall take in their custody my said Estate and Improve it to the best Advantage for my said Nephews that is I mean to put good Overseers and Shipp the Crops yearly to Mr. Robert Bristow Junior if liveing, other wayes to Mr. Phillipp Richards. I give unto my good friends Mr. Robert Bristow Junior Tenn pounds to buy him Mourning and Mr. Henry Awbrey and Mr. John Drane five pounds each to bee paid out of what I give my nephews..."

He appointed Robert Bristow, Jr. and his brother Henry Robinson as his executors. Wit: William Revil, Richard Sargent, John Haselwood.

In this will he also names:
--Niece Anne Robinson, daughter of James Robinson
--Has ownership in ship Jeffery and in ship Martha
--Margarett Bridgar, goddaughter, underage
--Brother Henneage Robinson
--Brother James Robinson
--Difficult to understand: "Thos. Creeston, Anne Robinson, and Elizabeth Handy, daughter of my late wife and the son of my brother John Robinson by his first wife, I give unto Maximilian Haney son of my wife's daughter the tract of land lieing in New Kent Alias King and Queen County which I bought of Mr. Breeding"

The will was proved:
October 7, 1696 - Mr. Hennemeldge Robinson, one of the executors named in the will of Mr. Maximillian Robinson, deceased, by his attorney, Mr. Arthur Spicer, presenting an authentic copy of said will appearing to be duly proved in the ecclesiastical court of the Diocese of London. (ABSTRACTS FROM COURT RECORDS (Order Books 1-5), RICHMOND COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1692-1708) (William and Mary College, Quarterly Historical Magazine Vol. XVII, October, 1908, No. 2., p. 74)