He was one of the first settlers in the original county of Spartanburg, South Carolina, moving there in 1784 from Louisa County, Virginia. He obtained large grants of land on Thickety and Goucher Creeks. He was a member of the Committee of Safety of Louisa County, Virginia in 1775. His will was filed in Spartenburgh District, South Carolina, and a copy is also recorded in Will Book A, p. 577, Madison County, Kentucky.
In the name of God, Amen. I, William Lipscomb of Spartenburgh District, State of South Carolina, being in my sound mind and memory, make this my last Will and Testament this seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, and in the thirty-fourth year of American Independence.
- Item: I give and bequeath unto my wife, Elizabeth Lipscomb, the land whereon I live, the East side of Main Thicketty, beginning at a small ash on the bank of the creek about half way between my fence and Thomas Littlejohn's fence, a straight line to a poplar in Napps old field above the Morse ford on the East side of McBee's creek, to continue a straight line to Bunchfield's east line, along said line to his corner post oak the east side of the little blue branch, thence a straight line to a red and black oak to Steen's and Austin's corner, along their line to main Thicketty, up Thicketty to the beginning, and six choice negroes, one cart, as much stock, tools, and household furniture as she chooses to keep.
- Item: I give to my son William LIpscomb's, deceased, children four negroes, Hannah, Dick, Bartlett, and Cuz, them and their increase forever. I give my grandson David Lipscomb three hundred dollars and he is to receive three hundred dollars out of his father's, William Lipscomb, deceased, part and have an equal share with his brothers and sisters of the balance, the money to be left in my executors hands to educate him at the Latin schools before my decease.
- Item: I give unto my son David Lipscomb eight negroes, viz., Morris, Daniel, Larkin, Harrison, Rosy, Hannah, and Bartlett, them and their increase forever.
- Item: I give my daughter Mary Littlejohn eight negroes, Dafney, James, Jacob, Salley, Ann, Samuel, Annare, and Peg, them and their increase forever. Also a tract of land whereon Thomas Littlejohn now lives. Beginning in Bunchfield's East line and running on the North line of the above described land to main Thicketty, crossing the creek a straight line to a post oak corner on the hill the right hand side of the path to Thomas Collin's line, along Collins' line to Ropes, along Ropes to Bunchfield's line, along Bunchfield's to the Beginning.
- Item: I give my daughter Nancy Wood six negroes, Judah, Mike, Harry, Daniel, Samuel, and Adam, them and their increase forever. Also two tracts of land, one purchased of William Wood; the other of Joseph Champion, whereon the said Nancy Wood now lives.
- Item: I give my son Nathan Lipscomb seven negroes, Viney and two children, Nelly, Tom, George, and Alsa, them and their increase forever. Also a tract of four hundred acres on Muddy Creek, Kentucky, the land whereon the said Nathan Lipscomb now lives and has my bond for a right is included, the lines to run so as to not injure the other part of my lands. My son Nathan Lipscomb to have no part of my other land or their value except he chooses to have his valued as all my other lands for four or five good men chosen by my Executors, then the said Nathan Lipscomb may take it at the valuation and draw an equal share with all my other children, then the said Nathan Lipscomb shall receive two hundred dollars for his trouble in seeing after my lands.
- Item: I give to my son Smith Lipscomb five negroes, Ginney, Nancy, Garland, Milley, and America, them and their increase forever, also the above described land cut off for my wife after her death. My son Smith Lipscomb to have full possession of it, all the above described lands to be valued and them that is on them may take them at valuation. All my other lands not hereafter described to be lotted off and any of my children may take a lot or lots at the valuation except more than one wants a particular lot, then they may bid for it, draw for choice, or sell on a credit the whole of my lands to be valued by four or five good men chosen by my executors. My Kentucky land also, I have tracts, one conveyed by William Bratton, Sheriff, one Captain James Martin the other. We have said Martin's bond for a right to William Thompson is to have half that is recovered if all or any to pay half the difference and have half the profits which land will be sold at the discretion of my executors as they think best.
My son John Lipscomb to deduct out of his equal part four hundred dollars for the land deeded from me to him, unless he chooses to have the equal part, the negroes, household furniture, and stock that my wife don't take choice of to be equally divided among my children so that the negroes remain in the family, and at my wife's death all that part of the negroes, household furniture, and stock and their increase and tools that my wife had be equally divided as all my other property.
My will and desire is that my wife should live with my son Smith Lipscomb, they having the liberty of cropping together.
If my children die leaving no child, their brothers and sisters shall receive their equal parts and if any should die leaving a child or children, then my grandchild or children shall receive their father's or mother's equal part.
My will and desire is that my son David Lipscomb, John Lipscomb, Nathan Lipscomb, and Smith Lipscomb be my executors and that my executors do perform as above. In witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date above written.
William Lipscomb
Signed and sealed in the presence of William Bostick, Joshua Richards, John Herron
His will was proven in Spartenburgh District, South Carolina, on April 11, 1810 by William Bostick and Joshua Richards. John, Smith, and Nathan Lipscomb qualified as executors.