In the name of God Amen:
I John Carter of Russell County Virginia being in perfect health of body and of perfect mind and memory thanks to God for it calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament as touching my worldly which God hath pleased to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First it is my will and desire that my slaves Moll and her Increase Winney and her Increase and Beck and her increase at my decease have their freedom Secondly that my beloved sister Sarah Pennington be my heir to all my other estate both real and personal. I also constitute and ordain Dale Carter son of Norris Carter my whole and sole Executor of this my last will and testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third Day of May one thousand eight hundred and two.
John Carter (Seal)
Sign'd seal'd and
deliver'd in presence of
William Nash
William Nash Junr.
Betty Parry
At a Court held for Russell County the 27th day of December 1803.
This Instrument of writing was exhibited in court as & for the last will & testament of John Carter dec'd and proven by the oath of William Nash a witness thereto, and a commission is awarded the executor therein named, with the will annexed to take the Deposition of William Nash Junr an Inhabitant of Sullivan County in the state of Tennessee who is a witness to the same.
And
At a Court held for the said County the 28th day of February 1804
This instrument was again produced in court and proven by the Deposition of William Nash Junr. duly certified, & thereupon ordered to be recorded.
And, on motion of Dale Carter Exor. therein named certificate are granted him for obtaining letters Testamentory, in due form: he having first made oath thereto and entered with & acknowledged his bond together with John Montgomery & Nevil Wayland his securities in the penal sum of Two thousand Dollars conditioned as the Law directs.
Teste
Henry Dickenson C.R.C.