I Saml. Porter of Russell County and State of Virginia do hereby make my last will and testament in the manner and form following. that is to say. 1st I give to my wife Elisabeth Porter, the plantation and orchard, on which I now live; with the buildings which are thereon, and my negro boy named Fields. and one mare choise of all my horses. and two cows choise of all my cattle, and such a part of my hogs, sheep and fowls as she may desire, And all my household furnature, during the term of her natural life, and after her decease, I give the same (the household funature only excepted, which she may dispose of as she pleases) to my sons James and Thomas D. Porter to be divided between them as herein after specified.
2d. I give to my sons James and Thos. D. Porter all my lands and (after my wifes death) I give to my sons James & Thos. the platation and orchard on which I now live with the buildings thereon; and my negro boy Fields I give to James Porter, and the rest that my wife shall possess at her death I give to them to be equally divided between them, which I give to them and their heirs forever.
3dly. I give to my grandson Nathaniel Dickerson one third part of all my estate not herein before particularly disposed of which I give to him forever.
4thly. I give to my grand-children, Betsey, Tabitha and Dunkin G. Dickerson all the rest of my estate not herein before particularly disposed of, to them and their heirs for ever.
5thly. I have given to my sons Hugh, Samuel & John all that part of my Estate which I intended for them - And I have given to my daughters Peggy Dickerson and Tabitha Smith all that part of my Estate which I intended for them - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this (blank) day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen
Samuel Porter (Seal)
Signed seal published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Sam'l. Porter in the presence of us
Berry Robinson
Charles Bickley
Virginia
At a court held for Russell County the 8th day of March 1820 -
This instrument of writing was exhibited in Court as and for the last will and testament of Sam'l. Porter deceased and proven by the oath of Charles Bickley one of the subscribing witnesses thereto; and the hand writing of Berry Robinson the other subscribing witness, who is absent from the commonwealth, being proved to the satisfaction of the court; the said will is ordered to be recorded: And no executors being named in said will, and the widow of the testator refusing to administer as is satisfactorily proven in court.- on the motion of James Porter, a son of the testator who made oath according to and together with John Porter and Charles Beckley his securities, entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of 2,000$ conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration of the estate of the decedent with the said will annexed in due form.
Teste
James P. Carrell D.C.