In the name of God Amen I John Counts Senr. Of Russell County and Commonwealth of Virginia being old and frail in body, but perfect in mind and memory blessed be God but calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed once for all men to die I do make and constitute this my Last will and Testament in manner and form following, And first I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken desiring it may be buried in a Christian manner without pomp &c. and my soul I give to God who gave it hoping it may find peace in the Arms of his mercy, and as touching what worldly goods or estate which I possess I give demise and bequeath in manner following to wit,
Eve Maticks my eldest daughter I give one shilling Mary Rarsnake I give one shilling John Counts Junr. also I give one shilling Lissey Willard I give one shilling.
Item, I give to Harry Willards eldest son Martin Willard
Catherine my daughter one shilling Christian my daughter one shilling, my son Phillip one shilling.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son George with whom I live the plantation on which we live with all appurtenances thereunto belonging out of which I am to be maintained in a good common manner while I live for victuals and cloathing and at my death every thing possessed by me shall belong to George Counts and to his heirs forever and I do hereby revoke and disannul all former wills by me made and ratifying and confirming this to be my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of April one thousand eight hundred & two
his
John X Counts Sen. (Seal)
mark
Signed sealed and delivered published
and declared to be my last will in
the presence of these witnesses,
Teste
John Hargis
her
Lydia X Hargis
mark
Duritee X Counts
At a court of quarterly session continued & held for
Russell County April the 27th 1803.
This instrument of
writing was exhibited in court as and for the Last will
and Testament of John Counts Senr. decd. and proven by
the oath of John Hargis a witness thereto and continued
for further proof.
And, at a court held for said county the 26th day of
July 1803.
This instrument of writing was again exhibited
in court as and for the Last will and testament of the said
John Counts dec'd. and proven by the oath of Duritee Counts a
witness thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste
Nathan Ellington D.C.