LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS SLADE April Court 1798 In the name of God Amen. I Thomas Slade of the County of Caswell and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound memory blessed be God do this 10th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety eight, do make and publish, this my last Will & Testament, in the manner as follows (that is to say) first, I give & bequeath to my dear Wife Hannah Slade three Negroes Viz. Aaron, Dinah & Daniel and their Increase forever---Also two hundred acres of land lying the most convenient to my house and orchard on the premises so as to take them in her likes. Also: a mare known by name Yellow Mare, also two Cows and Calves. Also my household and Kitchen Furniture. Also my Stock of Hogs, also Six of my choice Sheep & my Utensils of all Kinds. I also leave the remaining part of my Negroes to wit. Ben, Castle, Thilis, Lane & Milla to be drawn for by my Sons and Daughters that are now living in a proportionable Valuation, and to them that do not draw a Negroe, to be made equal to the valuation of the Negroes that is drawn in money. Viz. the same to be paid by the rest of my children who draweth the Negroes in six months after the commencement of the Division - Also I give & bequeath to my Dear Daughter Hannah Lea one Negroe Girl by name Rachel, the same to be considered as part of her portion of my Negroes, only to be valued and if not equal to the rest to be made equal in money, she & her increase to her & her heirs forever. Also to my Dear Grand Daughter Nicey Lea one Cow and Calf as her Morthers portion who is dead, & no more of my estate to her neither personal nor real. Also I give to my Dear Grandson Devorix Hightower, Five pounds as his mothers estate who is dead, and no more, - the said money to be paid to him by my children when he arises to the age of twenty years - Also I give my dear Son Lin Slade 20 row and above an equal part with the rest of my children - I leave my land to be equally divided amongst my children now living - Also I giveth to my dear Daughter Catharine Lea, one mare, that she formerly claimed to her & her heirs forever. If applyed for - Also I Ieave the remaining part of my stock of Horses cattle and sheep to be sold to the highest bidder: and the money among my children now living -Also I desire all just Debts to be paid, each of my Children bearing an equal part of the same. I desire my Tobacco now in hand to be sold to Jesse Carter in part of paying him, what I owe him, & if any Over, to go to paying other Debts. Also I appoint my Dear Spouse, H. Slade, as sole Executor to this my last Will. In Trust for this event and purpose in this my Will contained & make my loving Sons Thomas Slade & Wm. Slade Executors of this my last Will & Testament in Trust for the Intent and purpose in this my Will contained to take care and see the same performed according to my true intents and meaning and for their pains I hope God will reward them - In Witness Whereof I the said Thomas Slade to this my last Will & Testament set my Hand and Seal the day and year above written___________signed, sealed & published by said ) Thomas Slade (Seal) Thomas Slade as and for his last Will & ) Testament in presence of us who where here) The Executor and Wm. Slade present at this signing & sealing thereof ) Witness Thomas Grenn Senr. James Grenn, Caswell County