In the name of God, Amen. I, Smith Cotton, of the said state and county, being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this world, deem it right and proper both as regards to myself and my family, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me. Therefore, make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling all others heretofore made by me. I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent Christian-like manner, suitable to circumstances and conditions. My soul I trust shall return to rest with God who gave it as I hope for eternal Salvation through the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whose religion I have professed, and as I humbly trust, enjoyed for sixty-five years. I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executors hereinafter named, as I am unwilling that my Executors should be delayed of their rights, especially as there is no necessity for delay. I give and devise to my beloved wife, Elizabeth G., the use of my Mosely Place situated in the village of Whitesville, containing eight acres of land, more or less, with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, during her natural life or widowhood, also a Negro man, Isaac, about forty years of age; A Negro girl Juliann, about 25 years of age; my horse and buggy; a bed and furniture; and such an amount of household and kitchen furniture as she will need for house keeping. One cow and calf, such as she may select of all my stock; my entire set of "Clarked" Commentaries on the Holy Bible, and one years provisions, with all the poultry and C. during her life or widowhood; and at her death or marriage, I will that all that I have devised her the use of, be divided by my Executors- -equally among my Legatees, whose amount of my estate is not particularly specified in this my will. I also desire that in the event of my disposing or losing my portion of the property herein devised to my wife, that my Executors shall apportion to her such other property of money of my estate as will be of equal value, to that thus disposed of. I give and devise to my granddaughter Ann Miriah Hunter, a Negro boy by the name of Alfred, about twenty-five years old, to her and her children free from the disposal of her present or any future husband. I give and devise to my grandchildren, Leonard Burford, James Burford, and Celestia Burford, each three hundred dollars, to be paid also by my executors in twelve months after my death; also I give and devise my daughter Martha Burford, in the event that she should be abandoned by her husband and left in a desolate situation before my estate shall have been distributed, five hundred dollars; and my grandson Joseph Thomas, two hundred and fifty dollars extra of the amount he now has. I give and devise to my granddaughter Jane Thomas, five hundred dollars; the above to be paid by executors in twelve months after my death, to be paid as above prior to paying the others. I give and devise to my grandchildren, Pleasant Sadler, Lorroo Sadler and Augustus Sadler, three hundred dollars to each of them, to be paid by my executors within twelve months after my death. I give and devise to the children of my daughter Lurancy Stubbs, dec'd., if there should be any such children living, six hundred dollars, to be paid by executors in twelve months after my death. I will and devise to my sons, William G. and Stephen G. and James G. and their children and the children of my daughter Lucy Neill Kennon, dec'd., if any of the said children should be living, all the residue of my estate to be equally divided among the four specific Legatees, consisting of both real and personal property, money, notes or any other effects whatever; And, as I have given to my children at sundry times the use of property and money and taken their receipts or notes thereof the notes bearing interest, the receipts and notes I desire my executors in the settlement with the legatees set forth in this item that they should cause the notes and receipts that I hold against the four last named legatees to be settled by them as a part of each one's distributive share. I constitute and appoint my beloved son James G. and my worthy friend John C. Andrews to this, my last will and testament, this June 12, 1854. Smith Cotton (LS) Signed, sealed and declared and published by Smith Cotton as his last will and testament in the presence of us, the subscribers who subscribed our names hereunto in the presence of said Testators and of each other, this June 12, 1854. M. D. Hood, W. A. Andrews, T. S. J. Kimbrough. James G. Cotton admr on Estate Smith Cotton (Page 400) Voucher No. 51. Dec 30th, 1856. The estate of Smith Cotton to Jas. G. Cotton for keeping Negro Woman Matilda a month during her confinement - $6.00.