In the name of God Amen the fifteenth Day of October in the [year] of our Lord one
Thousand seven hundred & Seventy Six. I Silvator Allford of the parish of Russel in
the County of Bedford: being sick and Weak in Body but of a perfect mind and Memory
thanks be given unto God for the same. and calling to mind the Mortality of my body
and Knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to die. Do make & Ordain this my
Last Will and Testament, that is to say Principally & first of all -- I give & recommend
my soul into the hands of God that gave it. and for my Body I recommend it to the Earth:
to be Buried in a Christian like and Decent Manner, at the discretion of my Executor,
nothing Doubting but at the general Resurrection I shal receive the same again by the
mighty power of god and touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to
Bless in this life, I give devise and Dispose of the same in Manner & form following
Itam I give unto my living son William Allford all my Land whare I now live to him and
his Heirs or assigns forever
Itam I give to my aforesaid son William Allford one Negro Woman Named Nancy and all her
futer Increases,
Itam I give to my aforesaid Son Wm Allford five Negro Children To Wit Tom Jimmy & Beck
& Will and Harry, to him his Heirs or assigns forever.
Item I give to my Daughter Judith Vest Twenty Shillings
Itam I give my Daughter Lorry(?) Vest Twenty Shillings
Itam I give to my two Daughters Mary Mulins and Melicent Brown Twenty Shillings a piece.
Itam I give to my Daughter Elizabeth Edds two Cows & Calfs.
Itam I give to my well beloved son William Allford whom I likewise Constitute make and
ordain my only & Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament all my Stock of Cattle
Together with all the remainder part of my Estate; I do hereby utterly revoke all former
Wills heretofore made by me In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal the day
& year above Written.
Silvator x Allford (his mark) S S
Teste
William Dudley
James Martin
George Willcox
Armistead Dudley
At a Court held for Bedford County the 24th day of November 1777
The above last Will and Testament of Silvator Allford Deceased was proved by the oaths
of William Dudley James Martin and Armistead Dudley Witnesses thereto Subscribed and
Ordered to be recorded and on the Motion of William Allford the Executor therein named
who made Oath thereto Certificate is granted him for Obtaining probate thereof in due
form giving security whereupon Together with John Ward and William Dudley his securities
entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the _____ of one Thousand Pounds for the said
Executors due and faithfull administration of the said Decedents Estate and performance
of his Will.