In the name of God amen, I Mary Rowton of the county of Charlotte being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life, and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate, as it has pleased God to bless me with, do hereby make my last will and testament . . . I give my son in law William Sowel, after the death of my father Jeremiah Pate and my mother Christiana Pate, a negro man named Tom, which negro my father Jeremiah Pate has conveyed to me as will appear on record in the county of Montgomery, which I give the said Sowel to him and his heirs forever. I also give to my said son in law William Sowel after my decease, a negro woman Charity and her two children Netty and Cevilla, which two girls, I have formerly conveyed to the said William Sowel, the said woman Charity with her present and future increase, I give the said Sowel to him and his heirs forever . . . In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed my seal this 14th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight.