Item 1st. I loan unto my beloved wife, Martha, all my household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils and plantation tools, three head of horses, namely, the gray mare, bay mare and ball horse, also my yoke of steers, and cart, ten choice cattle with two young steers and a sufficient number of hogs for her meat, the ensuing year with a sufficient number besides for her further support hereafter also my present crop of corn, fodder and wheat with all the provender for cattle also my flock of sheep and geese. I further for her comfortable support loan her my negro woman, Judith Charlotte, her boy Jack, and girl Mary. I further loan to her my tract of land. I have conferred these advantages on her for her own support and to make her to educate and raise my small children and for her benefit I loan her my carryall all of the above named articles I loan unto her during her natural life.

Item 2nd. My will is that my executor as soon as convenient advertise and sell all the balance of my negroes on a credit of twelve months and all my debts paid out of the proceeds also the balance of hogs and cattle not given off to be also sold together with my present crop of cotton. The balance of the money arising from the sales after paying my debts; my will is that it be divided among my children in the following manner: In the first place, I have already given my sons, James W. Morris in land and otherwise the sum of two hundred dollars, I have already given to my daughter, Martha A. K. Griffin, property to the amount of ninety dollars, also property to the amount of ninety dollars to Frances J. L. Griffin. It's my will that all my children be made equal taking into consideration the amount that some have already received (as above stated).

Item 3rd. My will is that my stud horse be sold at public auction or private sale, together with my threshing machine and fan, also the large and little wheels attached to the saw.

Item 4th. Its my will that all my property as above loaned to my beloved wife during her natural life that may be in existence at her death be sold and proceeds divided among my children having regard to the above arrangements it is also my will that after the decease of my wife that my beloved and youngest son, Columbus W. Morris, if he should be living, have one hundred acres of land including all the buildings to be laid off to the best advantage to him. My will is that the balance of my land be equally divided between my sons, J. J., Thomas, J.S., N.A. and G.W. Morris, and my daughter, E.A. Allen, her part to be laid off as to include the dwelling where she now resides.

Item 5th. On account of the confidence which I have and repose in my beloved half-brother, Miles W. Maske, I do constitute and ordain him executor of this my last will and testament whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 4th day of October, in the year of our lord one thousand and eight hundred and forty-four.

Pro. Oct. Term, 1844 William A. Morris (seal)