I Elias Alford of the District and State aforesaid do make and ordain the following as my
last Will and Testament.
First I will and desire that all my just debts be paid as soon after my death as convenient.
Second I give and bequeath to my son James N. Alford a Negro boy named Major.
Third I give and bequeath to my son William B. Alford a Negro boy named Carlisle. I also
give and devise unto him the Tract of land on which I lately resided containing one hundred
& seventy eight acres more or less.
Fourth To my Grandson Cornelius Lee Trawick, I give and bequeath a Negro boy named Tom, and
if the Said Lee should die without lawful heirs or issue the said property is to go to my
Son Benj'm L. Alford.
Fifth I give and bequeath to Z. A. Drake a Negro boy named Nelson upon the special trust
and confidence that he in the exercise of his best discretion either permit my grand
daughter Charity Ann Covington to have the use of said Negro boy for and during the term
of her natural life or that he hire out said boy annually and permit her the said Charity
Ann to have and enjoy the proceeds thereof during her natural life & the Said Drake is not
however to allow the husband (Joel Covington) of the said Charity Ann to control in any way
whatever the Said Negro boy or the proceeds of his labor and upon the further trust that
upon the death of the said Charity Ann the Said Negro to be divided by sale if necessary
among the issue of her body, but if she die without issue of her body living at the time of
her death, then the said Drake to convey said Negro slave to my daughter Sophia Drake.
Sixth I give and bequeath to Z. A. Drake a Negro boy named Mingo upon the special trust and
confidence that he in the exercise of his best discretion either permit my grand daughter
Mary Ann Odom to have the use of said Negro boy for and during the term of her natural life
or that he hire out said boy annually and permit her the said Mary Ann to have and enjoy
the proceeds thereof during her natural life. The Said Drake is not however to allow the
husband (Sion Odom) of the said Mary Ann to control in any way whatever the Said Negro boy
or the proceeds of his labor and upon the further trust that upon the death of the said Mary
Ann the said Negro to be divided by Sale if necessary among the issue of her body but if she
die without issue of her body living at the time of her death then the said Drake to convey
said Negro slave to my daughter Elizabeth C. McCormac.
Sixth I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth C. McCormac a Negro woman named Sinty
also all the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects after satisfying, the
above bequests.
Seventh Those of my grand children not mentioned in this my last Will and Testament are left
out for reasons Satisfactory to my self.
Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my son William B. Alford and my son in law
A. L. McCormac Executors of this my last Will and Testament.
This the Twenty sixth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
fifty eight.
Elias Alford L S
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
Neill Alford
James L. Alford
Neill R. Currie
Ordinary's Office Marlboro District
Recorded in Book Inventories & Sales pages 156 Nov 5 1858