In the name of God amen, I James Charles of Surry County and the State of North Carolina being of sound mind and disposing memory and calling to mind my mortality that it is appointed to man to die I make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say: Inprimis

First I resign my soul to God you gave it to me through the mediation of Jesus Christ the Saviour and my body to the dirt, to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Executors and to prevent disputes after my decease about my estate I will that it be desposed of as follows:

Item - First that all my debts and funeral charges be paid and discharged by my Executor herein after named.

Item - I lend unto my beloved wife Sarah Charles all my estate of every kind real and personal during her natural life or widowhood but in case my wife should marry or die then I will that my estate equally be divided amongst my nine children (viz) Oliver Charles, Mary Charles, Frances Charles, Joel Charles, Martha Charles, Sarah Charles, Nancy Charles, Israel Charles, John Charles.  Lastly I do constitute and appoint my son Oliver Charles and William Hill, Jr. Executors to my Last Will and Testament signed with my hand sealed with my seal this the fifth day of December one thousand and seven hundred and seventy seven.

James Charles          

Signed sealed published and declared to be the last will and testament of James Charles in presence of:

William Hill
William Halbert
John Halbert

Surry County May Court 1781

John Halbert one of the subscribing Witnesses to the Last Will and Testament of the said James Charles and made oath that he saw that said James Charles assign publish and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament certified by:  J. Williams, C. C.

Surry County North Carolina
Clerk of Superior Court
Will Book 1 Page 146

Transcribed by Kimberly Miller Bates