Will of Thomas CARTER

written 12/21/1795 probated 8/8/1796

Mecklenburg County Virginia Will Book 3, pages 367-368, Will of Thomas Carter

In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Carter of the County of Mecklenburg and the State of Virginia being, and weak in body but of sound sense and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First and principally, I give my soul to God who gave it trusting in the merits of Jesus Christ for full pardon and remission for all my past offences and my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned.

Item, I give unto my beloved son John Carter, one hundred and fifty acres of land in Granville County joining the land whereon I now live. I also give unto my beloved son Charles Carter, one hundred fifty acres joining the tract I have willed my son John the line to begin at the old fishtrap on Mulbush Creek.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my natural son Thomas Carter 100 acres of land part of the tract on which I now live and joining the lands of John Johnson, to him and his heirs forever. Then I give and bequeath unto my natural son Charles Carter one hundred acres whereon he now lives to him and his heirs forever.

And then I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary Carter the remaining part of the said land with the plantation on which I live during her life or widowhood and then to fall to my son John Carter to him and his heirs forever. I do also give unto my wife Mary Carter four Negroes, namely, Caesar, Sue, Jacob, and Park during her life or widowhood and then to be equally divided among all my sons.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Johnson one Negro girl named Milley. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Judith Kidd one Negro man named Cato.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally Johnson one Negro boy named Tim to her and her heirs forever and the Negro by the name of Will to Secretary Carter and Sarah Carter (Children of Robert Carter) to them and their heirs forever. I also give unto my daughter Mary Freeman ten pounds --and the remaining part of all my property of every kind to be equally divided amongst all my Children (except Mary Freeman) at my wife's decease or widowhood.

I do leave and appoint my sons John and Thomas Carter, Executors of this my last will and Testament as witness my hand and seal this twenty first day of December one thousand seven hundred and ninety five.

Signed, sealed & delivered

In presence of Thomas Carter
Wm. Hendrick (his mark)
Stephen Hendrick
Jesse Carter
Secretary Carter

In a court held for Mecklenburg County the 8th day of August 1796. This will was proved by the parties of William Hendrick and Stephen Hendrick witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of John Carter one of the Executors therein named who made oath thereto and together with William Hendrick his security entered into and acknowledged Their bond in the penalty of two thousand pounds conditioned as the law directs certificate was granted him for obtaining a probat thereof in due form liberty being reserved for the other Executors therein named to join in the probat when he shall think fit.

Testa.

William Baskerville, Off. Ct.

Contributed by Shirley (Johnson) LaFleur