In the name of God, Amen, I, Jesse Holt, of the County of Southampton and State of Virginia do make and publish this my last will & testament in manner an form following that is to say
Item 1st: I give unto my wife Nancy Holt the following negroes, to wit: negro woman Mary, Cherry, George, John, Bob, Ed, Janice, Ruth, and Will and their future increase also three hundred dollars in gold to her and her heirs forever provided my wife abides by this my last will and testament otherwise the said negroes and money must continue in my estate and be subject to my will as it respects my personal estate.
Item 2nd: I give unto my nephew Ethelred Holt of Johnson City, state of North Carolina, five hundred dollars to him and his heirs forever.
Item 3rd: I give unto my nephew William Holts' children, to wit: Sophia, Elbert, Ransom, Calvin and Daniel Holt twenty five hundred dollars to them and their heirs forever, but in case either of them should die before they arrive to lawful age or married, it is my will and desire that the survivors shall heir the deceased's respective part.
Item 4th: I give unto my nephew Henry Edward of Ashe City, state of North Carolina, five hundred dollars to him and his heirs forever.
Item 5th: I give unto Joshua D. Claud son of Erwin Claud at the death of my wife one thousand dollars to him and his heirs forever.
Item 6th; I give unto my friend Willie Francis in case he survives me one thousand dollars to him and his heirs forever.
Item 7th: I lend unto my wife Nancy Holt the balance of my estate not before named both real and personal during her natural life widowhood.
Item 8th: At the death or marriage of my wife Nancy Holt I give unto Joseph T. Claude the whole of my lands lying in the County of Southampton containing twelve hundred and eighty two acres it is to be the same more or less to him and his heirs forever.
Item 9th: At the death or marriage of my wife I give unto Joseph T. Claude and Samuel Drewry all my slaves together with the rest residue and remainder of my whole estate of whatsoever kind or description it may be not herein before particularly disposed of consisting of the whole of my personal loaned to my wife to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever.
Item 10th: It is my will and desire that whoever receives and enjoys my personal estate shall all owe to Charlotte Day a descent and comfortable support and maintenance during her life.
Item 11th: I do hereby constitute and appoint Joseph T. Claud and Samuel Drewry executors to this my last will & testament here by revoking all other wills or testaments by me heretofore made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty first day of November one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.