In the name of God, Amen.
I Richard Thompson of the County of Russell in the state of Virginia now
enjoying a reasonable state of health at present thanks be to God for his
merceys and also in perfect mind and memory - calling to mind the mortality of my body and nowing it is appointed for all men once to die I do therefore constitute and make this my last will and testament first I recommend my soul unto Almighty God who gave it my body to be buryed in a desent burial and as it hath pleased God to bless me with a portion of the things of this life I give dispose and bequeath the same in the following manner and form (to wit) I desire that all just debts may be satisfyd first out of my estate and secondly I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Esable Thompson all and singular my goods and chattels my lands and slaves to be by her freely possest and injoyed and disposed of as she may think propper. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of May eighteen hundred and sixteen.
Rich? Thompson
with X his mark (Seal)
Teste
John Thompson
William Barnett
At a court held for Russell County the 4th day of June 1816
This instrument of writing was exhibited in court as and for the last
will and testament of Rich'd Thompson dec'd and proven by the oath of William Barnett one of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, as to the personal estate. And no executors being named in the said will, on the motion of Isabel Thompson and Henry Dickenson Sen'r. who made oath and together with Aaron Hendrick and Berry Robinson their securities entered into and acknowledges a bond in the penalty of five thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted the said Isabel & Henry for obtaining letters of administration on the said decedents estate with his will annexed in due form.
And at a court held for the sd. county July 20 1816 it was further proved by the oath of John Thompson the other subscibing witness thereto and by the testimony of the other witnesses and ordered to be recorded as to the real estate therein mentioned.
Teste
James P. Carrell D. P.