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[In left margin:]
A.H. Carter's Will
[end of left margin]
In the name of God Amen. I Archelas H. Carter of the County of Patrick and state of Virginia being of sound mind and disposing[?] memory, but in feeble health, and being moreover mindful of the uncertainty of human life and the certainty of death, do make and publish this my last will and testament, that is to say
Item 1st[:] It is my will and desire that my Extrs hereafter named soon after my death as may be convenient shall proceed to collect what debts may be due me and also to sell my perishable property including crops[,] stocks of every description[,] household and kitchen furniture except what may be herein after disposed of[,] plantation tools[,] &c[?] and from the proceeds of said collection and sales, shall pay off and discharge all my just debts.
Item 2nd[:] I give and bequeath whatever may be coming to me by my father's will or[?] remaining after the death of my mother to my four sisters[,] namely Nancy Forkner[,] Sally Hanby[,] Susan Bradly, and Malinda Perkins to be equally divided among them, or in case of the death or deaths of all or either of them, their children to receive the share or shares of their mother or mothers respectively.
Item 3rd[:] I will and devise to my nephew John Martin all that portion of my tract of land lying partly in Virginia and partly in No. Carolina and consisting of several tracts whereon I now reside as is embraced[?] in the following boundaries[.] Beginning at the beginning line where a straight line running from Dan river along and in directions of my upper meadow fence will strike the said line thence along the line so run from the river along my fence aforesaid to Dan river thence across the river and down the same as it meanders to a deep hole in the said river called Johns Hole. Thence a due[?] south course to my back line[.] Thence around my back lines Eastwardly to the Carolina line thence along the said line to the beginning. Also several tracts lying in Virginia including my dwelling house and adjoining the above I also will and bequeath to my said nephew a choice bed and furniture.
Item 3rd[:] I will and devise to my natural son George W. Bolt all the ballance of my land adjoining the above devised to John Martin except a strip of about one hundred acres lying between the tract I sold to Robert Hines and the Bell[?] Spur road adjoining the land of Frank Slate and John Going which latter[?] land I devise to Robert Hines[.]
Item. I give and bequeath to my nephew John Martin and my natural son George W. Holt[sic] the following slaves, to wit, Edmon, Amos & Pat and her three children Sandy[,] Jude and Amanda together with the increase of the families with this reservation and understanding[:] that the said slaves are to be kept together on my said tract of land under the management and control of my herein after named Extr to work the same for the joint benefit of the said John Martin and the said George W Bolt, until the said George W. Bolt shall arrive at the age of twenty one years of age. The portions of the proffits coming to the said Bolt to be expended at the decision of my Extr in his education and my extrs if they think it more for the benefit of G.W. Bolt may in their decision[?] find out his portion of the slaves and rent out his portion of the land until he shall so arrive at the age of twenty one years. When[?] the said GW Bolt shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, it is my wish that the said slaves and their increase be divided into two equal portions one half to go to the said G.W. Bolt and the other half to be equally divided between my said nephew John Martin and my Brother Madison D. Carter.
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Item. I wish my hereafter named Extr. as soon as convenient after my death to seek out the said G.W. Bolt and take him under their control. I charge giving him such advantages of education as the legacy herein left will justify, and if the said GW Bolt shall refuse to put himself under the charge of my said Extrs to be educated provided he has the liberty of so doing they may in their discretion either furnish funds for educating him elsewhere or withhold same according to circumstances of which they are to judge[.] If the said George W Bolt shall die without having issue then the land and slaves devised him shall be equally divided between my nephews Archelas Folkner[,] Archelas Bradley, and if the said John Martin shall in like manner die without leaving issue then the land and negroes divised to him shall be also divided between my nephews Archelas Folkner & Arcelus Bradley.
Item. If my debts when collected and the sale of my perishable property are insufficient to pay off the debts I may owe it is my desire that the profits of my plantation and negroes or the hire of one or more of the said negroes may be applied to make up the deficiency.
Item. It is my desire that my Laurel fork tract of land & any other lands of which I may [?] not herein devised be sold by my Extr without delay and the proceeds thereof applied in the discretion of my Extrs in the support and education of James S[?] Moles[?], Paulina Molds[,] children of Lucinda Moulds with the hope and confidence that my executor[?] shall see that the said children are raised in respectable family and steady habit.
Item. I hereby revoke all former wills made by me
Item. I hereby appoint my brother Madison D Carter and my nephew John Martin Executors to this my las will and testament.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of January 1848.
A.H. Carter (seal)
Signed sealed & published in
our presence by AH Carter as his
last will and testament
Arch Stuart
D.B. Hatcher