Will of Thomas Cottrell Will Book 9 1835-1838 Pages 105-106
Date: 9 Oct 1835 Probate: 24 Nov 1835 Bedford Co., VA
Executors: Sarah Cottrell and John Hopkins
Children: Edith Cottrell, Anna Kerns, James Cottrell, Lydia Cottrell, Thomas J. Cottrell

In the name of God amen. I Thomas Cottrell of Bedford County Virginia, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament, and hereby revoke all and every other will by and heretofore made. I hereby appoint my much beloved wife Sarah and my friend John Hopkins to be executrix and executor of this my last will and testament ~ It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid, and if it be necessary to sell any part of my property for the purpose of paying my debts, it is my will and desire that my negro slaves Sarah and John either or both of them be sold for that purpose. After my debts are paid I do hereby desire to my much beloved wife Sarah all my property of every description real & personal during her natural life time. It is my will that at the death of my wife, all my property of every description be sold to the best advantage by my executor and the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my five children namely Edith Cottrell, Anna Kerns, James Cottrell, Lydia Cottrell and Thomas J. Cottrell. That thirty dollars given to my daughter Anna Kerns in stock & household furniture be deducted from her distributise portion of my estate. In witness whereof I have hereto affixed my mark and do publish and declare this to be my last will and testament,
October 9th 1835: Thomas (his + mark) Cottrell
Witness Henry W. Moseley Harvey Beard William I. Read

At a Court held for Bedford County at the Courthouse the 24th day of November 1835: This last will and testament of Thomas Cottrell deceased, was exhibited in Court and proved by the oath of Henry W. Woolsey and William I. Read subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on motion of John C. Hopkins the executor therein named who made oath and gave bond and security in the penalty of $2500.00 conditioned according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.
Teste Rol. Mitchell CBC