In the name of God Amen I Thomas Kesterson of Saint Stephens Parrish in the County of Northumberland and Colony of Virginia being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect memory and remembrance thanks be to God for the same do make constitute andordain this and no other to be my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say first and principally I commend my soul unto God that gave it me, hoping in the meritorious death and passion of Jesue Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer to receive freepardon and forgiveness from all my sins and offenses and my body committ to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor hereafter nominated and as to my Worldly Estate after all my just debts and funeral charges and other expenses relating thereto are fully satisfied and paid, I dispose of as followeth. Id o give and bequeath unto Gilbert Harris ye eldest son of Mary Gilbert a good feather bed and feather bolster, also wool sett spotted rugg a pair of good blankets, a pair of good sheets , a full half part of all my stock barrows, Two Barrows of about two years old and each one young ewe fifty yards of my best shifting linnen, two pewter dishes, four pewter Basons, six Pewter Plates, six pewter spoons and one great iron pott and a par of Iron Pott Hooks, all my wearing cloaths, both linnen and wollen with hatts shoes an dstockins, all which said goods above mentioned with all their increase I do give and bequeath to the above said Gilbert Harris son of Mary Gilbert as beforesaid and further I will and desire that my executor hereafter named, may have his first choice of the said chattills sheep and Hoggs and all other goods given out of my Estate to comply with the above legacy for the use of ye said Gilbert Harris and further I will and require that all of the above said legacy which I have given and bequeathed unto the above mentioned Gilbert Harris may be kept and remain in the possession in the hands or possession of my Executor hereafter named to be disposed of at his discretion and as he shall find occassion for use of the said Gilbert Harris and to deliver the same or what part shall be remaining of the same if any, unto the said Gilbert Harris when he shall attain to the age of twenty-one years. Item. I will and desire that the said Gilbert Harris may live with Ann Stowell to learn him to read the Bible and to look after him now in hisminority. Item. I do give and bequeath to the said Ann Stowell my old mare with all her increase all my cyder casks, my cart and wheles napsak and bridle and thirteen hundred and fifty pounds of Tobacco and where I have no by me about seventeen shillings in money, five shillings of which I desire John Butler may have for making my coffin and oneshilling I have given to my son George Kesterson and the other eleven shillings I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Elizabeth Kesterson to be delivered to her at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named and when he shall think fitting, and lastly I do nominate and appoint my two trusty friends, Richard Wright and Ann Stowell executor and executrix of this my last will and testament utterly revoking and disallowing all other wills and testaments by me made from time to time and at all times whatsoever holding this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testtimony whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and affixed my seal this 3rd day of August 1719. Signed, Sealed and Published. Henry Armstrong and Arthur Poplewell.

Die -March 16 1719/20 This will was proved in Northumberland County Court by oaths of Henry Armstrong and Arthur Poplewell and on the motion of Richard Wright admitted to record

Thomas was the firt American Immigrant. He came from England around 1662 as a Servent to Mr. James Wildey, gaining his freedom 1672. His fathers name was John Kesterson.