Giles Carter-1; Theodorick-2; Theodorick-3
In the name of God Amen: I Theodorick Carter of the Parish of St. Patrick and County of Prince Edward being of perfect and sound mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner following.
First, I give unto my daughter Susannah Stubblefield and sons John and Theodorick and William Carter each one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Carter one Negro man named Dick [this slave had been inherited from THEODORICK-2 ] and one feather bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Waddil Thompson one Negro girl named Fibb now in her possession, also two cows and calves to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my son Waddill Carter that part of my lands within the following bounds, to begin at the cross branch at the road, to run a straight line by the graveyard to his own line, all the land below this line on the North side of said road, also one Negro man named Tom to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Molly Carter one Negro girl named Agg and one Negro girl named Nanny, also the mare I purchased of Col. Robert Lawson, her own saddle and bridle, one feather bed and furniture, four head of sheep and two cows to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sally Carter one Negro boy named Will and one Negro boy named Abraham, the sorrel mare I purchased of Charles Williamson, one feather bed and furniture, her own saddle and bridle, four head of sheep and two cows, to her and her heirs forever.
I give unto my son Samuel the reaminder of the lands and plantation whereon I now live and the following negroes, Moll and her child Neptune, also all the residue of my estate not herein before particularly mentioned of what kind or nature soever, except two-thirds of my pewter and the two Negroes named Jack and Sarah, these two negroes Jack and Sarah I leave to my two daughters Molly and Sally each an equal part thereof, the estate herein willed to my son Samuel I give to him and his heirs forever, and it is my will that so long as my daughters Molly and Sally live single that they have the free use and liberty of their chamber in my dwelling house without the denial or interruption of my son Samuel.
It is my further will that should my son Samuel depart this life without leaving issue, in that case the lands herein willed to him and every part of my estate bequeathed to him, I give and bequeath unto my said two daughters Molley and Salley to be equally divided between them by my executors hereafter named unless my said two daughters should agree on a division themselves, which estate I bequeathed to them and their heirs forever [should it so happen my son Samuel] It is my will that all the negroes I’m possessed of be continued on my plantation the next year to make a crop.
Lastly I do constitute and appoint my son Waddill Carter and friends Nathaniel Venable and Francis Watkins executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and declaring void all other wills by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of December in the year of Christ one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven.
Theo’d Carter [seal]
Witnesses: William Waddill, Elizabeth Clarke, and Agnes Watkins.
Agnes Watkins, the witness to this will, was the wife of Francis Watkins, one of the executors of the will. Thomas Watkins [possibly the father of Francis] had witnessed the will of THEODORICK-3’s father. Thus, more circumstantial proof that we have the right Theodorick Carter. The William Waddill who witnessed the will was probably not ANN’s father by that name, but most likely was her brother, nephew, or cousin. The will was probated January 19, 1778, in Prince Edward County. Francis Watkins, the executor of the will, was apparently a close friend or relation to the CARTER family. John Carter-4, the son of THEODORICK-3 named a son “Francis Watkins Carter-5” and WILLIAM-4 also named a son “Francis-5.” That Christian name has continued as an “heirloom” name in this line of CARTERS ever since. This reinforces the supposition that “our” WILLIAM is “that William Carter.” Agnes Watkins’s sister was married to Nathaniel Venable, the co-executor.
The mention of the Negro slave, Dick, who had been inherited as a lad from THEODORICK CARTER-2 in his will is another piece of evidence that we have the correct Theodorick Carter.
The older children, Susannah-4, John-4, Theodorick-4, and WILLIAM CARTER-4 had apparently already been given their shares of the estate prior to the death of their father, THEODORICK-3, so they received only token bequests.
Giles Carter-1; Theodorick-2; Theodorick-3
In the name of God Amen: I Theodorick Carter of the Parish of St. Patrick and County of Prince Edward being of perfect and sound mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner following.
First, I give unto my daughter Susannah Stubblefield and sons John and Theodorick and William Carter each one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Carter one Negro man named Dick [this slave had been inherited from THEODORICK-2 ] and one feather bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Waddil Thompson one Negro girl named Fibb now in her possession, also two cows and calves to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my son Waddill Carter that part of my lands within the following bounds, to begin at the cross branch at the road, to run a straight line by the graveyard to his own line, all the land below this line on the North side of said road, also one Negro man named Tom to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Molly Carter one Negro girl named Agg and one Negro girl named Nanny, also the mare I purchased of Col. Robert Lawson, her own saddle and bridle, one feather bed and furniture, four head of sheep and two cows to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sally Carter one Negro boy named Will and one Negro boy named Abraham, the sorrel mare I purchased of Charles Williamson, one feather bed and furniture, her own saddle and bridle, four head of sheep and two cows, to her and her heirs forever.
I give unto my son Samuel the reaminder of the lands and plantation whereon I now live and the following negroes, Moll and her child Neptune, also all the residue of my estate not herein before particularly mentioned of what kind or nature soever, except two-thirds of my pewter and the two Negroes named Jack and Sarah, these two negroes Jack and Sarah I leave to my two daughters Molly and Sally each an equal part thereof, the estate herein willed to my son Samuel I give to him and his heirs forever, and it is my will that so long as my daughters Molly and Sally live single that they have the free use and liberty of their chamber in my dwelling house without the denial or interruption of my son Samuel.
It is my further will that should my son Samuel depart this life without leaving issue, in that case the lands herein willed to him and every part of my estate bequeathed to him, I give and bequeath unto my said two daughters Molley and Salley to be equally divided between them by my executors hereafter named unless my said two daughters should agree on a division themselves, which estate I bequeathed to them and their heirs forever [should it so happen my son Samuel] It is my will that all the negroes I’m possessed of be continued on my plantation the next year to make a crop.
Lastly I do constitute and appoint my son Waddill Carter and friends Nathaniel Venable and Francis Watkins executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and declaring void all other wills by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of December in the year of Christ one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven.
Theo’d Carter [seal]
Witnesses: William Waddill, Elizabeth Clarke, and Agnes Watkins.
Agnes Watkins, the witness to this will, was the wife of Francis Watkins, one of the executors of the will. Thomas Watkins [possibly the father of Francis] had witnessed the will of THEODORICK-3’s father. Thus, more circumstantial proof that we have the right Theodorick Carter. The William Waddill who witnessed the will was probably not ANN’s father by that name, but most likely was her brother, nephew, or cousin. The will was probated January 19, 1778, in Prince Edward County. Francis Watkins, the executor of the will, was apparently a close friend or relation to the CARTER family. John Carter-4, the son of THEODORICK-3 named a son “Francis Watkins Carter-5” and WILLIAM-4 also named a son “Francis-5.” That Christian name has continued as an “heirloom” name in this line of CARTERS ever since. This reinforces the supposition that “our” WILLIAM is “that William Carter.” Agnes Watkins’s sister was married to Nathaniel Venable, the co-executor.
The mention of the Negro slave, Dick, who had been inherited as a lad from THEODORICK CARTER-2 in his will is another piece of evidence that we have the correct Theodorick Carter.
The older children, Susannah-4, John-4, Theodorick-4, and WILLIAM CARTER-4 had apparently already been given their shares of the estate prior to the death of their father, THEODORICK-3, so they received only token bequests.