6

In the name of God, amen! I, William
Spottswood senior, (a free man of colour), of the City
of Richmond, being now more than eighty years
old, though in full possession of sense and memory;
desire to make my last will and testamony
as follows. Whereas by virtue of the reservation
contained in the fourth section of chapter 103 of
the code of Virginia, I some years ago, acquired
the right to my son Israel Spotswood, who was
a slave, the property of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. G. Cazenove;
as a paper signed by Mr: William B. Stanard
(the brother of Mrs. Cazenove) who was duly authorized,
will show; and as at my death, should I
die before my said son, it may be doubted whether
he is not the property of my estate, and as such
descend to whoever may be my heirs at law or distributees;
and as I do not now owe any debts and
expect to die wholly free from debt. I hereby
will and desire and wish it made known that
the said Israel Spottswood shall, at my death, if
he should survive me, be free, as fully and absolutely
as, by the laws of this commonwealth, it is
in my power, under the circumstances hereinbefore
mentioned, to make him free.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my
mark and seal this 2d day of June A.D. 1857
William Spottwood X his mark {Seal}
Signed, sealed, acknowledged}
and in all other respects duly}
executed in our presence jointly}
who in the presence of the}
testator and of each other}
subscribed our names as witnesses}
to the same.
Albert G. Stubbs
E. P. Wilson