I Louisa Singleton, widow of Sumter District SouthCarolina being of Sound & disposing mind for which blessings I amthankfull to God. but not feable in body. Do make this last will& testament in manner following to wit,

First I direct that my executers have my bodydecently intered in the earth.

Secondly I give and bequeath to my BrotherFrederick S. Belsar the following negroes, to wit, Nora, Dianna,Henry, Isaac, Black, Charles, Sophia, Joshua, & William, MulattoCharles with their future increase, should my brother die leaving nochildren or child or Grand Children or child, then the said negroes& their increase to be equally be divided between all thechildren of my three Sisters. To my said Brothers half a dozen largesilver spoons.

Thirdly I give and bequeath unto Junius Belser intrust to & for the uses limitations & trusts herein aftermentioned the following negroes to wit, Sam, Paul, Leah, Willis,Lydia & her two children, Nellie & child Matilda, Burney,Sarah, Bertram, Lucy, Dick, Ellen, Moley, Sara, Lydia, Margaret,Nelly, old Bob, Cate, Young Bob, Sally, Ceaser, Lou, and Jim andtheir future increase to and for the sole and separate use of myGrand Niece and adopted daughter Harriet C. L. Belser, for and duringthe term of her natural life whether she be single or married, ifever married not in any event to be subject to the contracts, debtsor incumbrances of any husband she may have, & from & afterher death to and for any such children or child as she may leave ather death. But should any child die, the issue of the deceased Childto take the parents part or share. But should she die leaving nochildren or child, Grand children or child, then the said negroes& their increase to be equally be divided between my fournephews, Junius E. Belser, William S. Belser, Laurance Belser &Jacob Belser share and share alike, free from all trusts &limitations.

Fourthly. I give and bequeath to my Nephew JuniusBelser, the following negroes, to wit. Celia, Elvira, Rossanna &William not to be given up until the crop is made.

Fifthly. To Mrs. Hariot Ross my watch for her lifetime and after her death to my adopted daughter Hariot C. L. Belser.

Sixthly. I give and bequeath to Miss. MarthaSprings, my silver spoons, marked with the name of Mrs. Chewning.

Seventhly. It is my wish & desire that theinterest or share that I am entitled to of my deceased mothersestate, be used as are as necessary to pay off a Bond of mine to Mrs.Gordon.

Eighthly. I give & bequeath unto my Grandniece Harriet C. L. Belser a Cow & can with their increase from1840. a mahogany bedstead, a plain bed stead, two feather beds, &matresses, bolsters pillows & half of my bed clothes, my chest ofdrawers work Stand, a dozen fancy Chairs, a dozen silver teaspoons,my Books, Traveling trunk and also all my wearing apparel.

Ninthly. I give & bequeath unto my BrotherFrederick S. Belser my Waggons, Mules, all my Plantation tools. MyCattle Hogs goats & all my provisions of all Kinds, except fiftyBushels of Corn which I give to my old servant Peggy as I wish her tohave her time & to live where she may chose.

I also give to my Brother two bed steads andfeather beds, mattresses, bolsters & pillows & half of my bedcloths my celeret. Sofa, Mahogany dining tables, my set of Castors& the rest of my household and Kitchen furniture.

Tenthly. It is my will and desire that my old andtrusty servants Billy & Peggy have their time and should theylive to be very old & not able to support themselves my Brotherdeath F. S. Belser & my grand niece Harriot C. L. Belser are tosupport them jointly.

Eleventhly. I give and bequeath to the StateConvention of the Baptist denomination of South Carolina, The sum ofTwo hundred Dollars, but not to be paid until three years after mydeath without interest, the same to be by them expended in theeducation of Young men of the Baptist denomination for the ministry.

Twelthly. I will, & devise to my BrotherFredrick S. Belser & his heirs for ever my Plantation, But on thesame are to be worked, rent free, the negroes given in trust for mygrand Niece Harriot C. L. Belser, until she marries.

Thirteenthly. I give & bequeath to Mrs.Caroline Belser for her sole & separate use, My Carriage andHorses.

Lastly. I do hereby nominate and appoint mybrother Frederick S. Belser & my Nephew Junius Belser Executorsof this my will.

Witness my hand and seal this twenty third -- dayof March in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and fortyfour.

L. W. Singleton (SEAL)

Signed or acknowledged by Mrs. Louisa Singletonand we at her instance

have signed as witnesses thereto

John B. Miller

John Boyd

Martha Belser

Recorded Will Book D-2, Page 144

Recorded April 1st, 1844

W. Lewis -- O. S. D.

Bundle 116 -- Package 12