In the name of God Amen. I Thomas Carter of Russell County and state of Virginia being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory for which I thank God and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and bequeath the same in manner following that is to say, After the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses I leave to my wife Elizabeth Carter one third part of all my estate both real and personal during the time of her natural life and after her decease I give the slaves in her thirds of my estate and their increase to my son Charles Carter & his heirs forever.
I also give and bequeath to my son Charles Carter five sixths of the remaining two thirds of my slaves and personal estate and also my (masteal?) on Johnsons Branch to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my son John Carter the sum of one dollar.
I give and bequeath to my son Morgan Carter the sum of one dollar.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Rosamond Dickenson one sixth of my slaves and personal estate after my wife has taken out her thirds to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Pheby Jones the sum of one dollar.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally Taylor the sum of one dollar.
I give and bequeath to my grandson Thomas Morgan Carter all the tract of land whereon I now live containing upwards of thirteen hundred acres including my wifes thirds after her death together with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him and his heirs forever.
And I do constitute and appoint my wife Elizabeth Carter executrix and my son in law James Dickenson and my son Charles Carter executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other former wills and testaments by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three.
Thos Carter (Seal)
Signed sealed published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Thomas Carter in presence of us.
James Gibson
William X Stewart
At a court held for Russell County the 25th day of October 1803. This instrument of writing was exhibited in court as and for the last will and testament of Thomas Carter deceased and proven by the oaths of James Gibson & William Stewart witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Elizabeth Carter, James Dickenson and Charles Carter executrix and executors therein named setters testamentary is granted them on the estate of Thomas Carter deceased therefore they together with James Gibson, Samuel Ritchie and Henry Dickenson their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penal sum of ten thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs therefore they took the oath as prescribed by law.
Teste
Nathan Ellington DC