In the name of God Amen I Balaam Wells of the county of Dinwiddie and state of Virginia being of Sound mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in the manner and form following

viz: Item 1st I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sarah Wells all of my estate both personal and perishable after paying my just debts during her natural Life~

Item 2d. It is my will at the death of my beloved wife Sarah Wells that my estate be divided in the form and manner following,

 Item 3d. I give to my daughter Elizabeth A. Wells and her three children the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars, to their heirs and assigns forever~

Item 4th. I give and bequeath to William H. Wells infant son of William B. Wells deceased the sum of one hundred dollars to him and his heirs forever. In the event that the said William H. Wells should die before he becomes of age or without leaving an heir, that the money above named for him shall revert back to my other two children Elizabeth A. Wells and Sarah B. Wells to them and their heirs forever~

Item 5th. I give and bequeath to Harriett W. Vaden infant daughter of Willis P. and Harriett Vaden the sum of one hundred dollars to her and her heirs forever. In the event that the said Harriett W. Vaden should die before she becomes of age or without leaving an heir that the money above named for her shall revert back to the above named two children Elizabeth A. Wells and Sarah B. Wells.

Item 6th. I give and bequeath to my son Henry C. Wells the sum of one hundred dollars to him and his heirs forever~

Item 7th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah B. Wells all of my household and kitchen furniture to her and her heirs forever~

Item 8th. I wish my crop stock and plantation utensils after the death of my beloved wife sold to pay my debts and the special legacys[sic] as far as it will go~

Item 9th. I give and bequeath to the four children left by my son James A. Wells as a special legacy the sum of two hundred dollars or fifty dollars to each of them, and should they die without and[sic] heir or before they become of age the amount named for them or each of them to revert back to my then living children to them and their heirs forever~

Item 10th. I will and bequeath that after the death of my beloved wife Sarah Wells and after the above named special legacies have been paid out by executor hereinafter named that the ballance[sic] of my estate both real and personal go to my daughter Sarah B. Wells to her and her heirs forever. In the event that my daughter Sarah B. Wells die without leaving an heir of her body that the property above left to her to revert back to my then living children to them and their heirs forever~

Item 11th. I hereby constitute and appoint my friend and nephew Edwin P. Wells my Executor to this my last will and testament and do request that my estate be appraised. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th day of November eighteen hundred and fifty six. 

 
    Witness                                                                                   Balaam Wells  seal      
Robert C. Rives
R. B. Thweatt
Virgil A. Rives

At a county court held for Dinwiddie County February the 16th 1857.

This last will and testament of Balaam Wells deceased was this day produced into court and proved by the oaths of Robert C. Rives, R. B. Thweatt and Virgil A. Rives subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Edwin P. Wells executor therein who made oath thereto and together with Peterson Wells and Harry Wells his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of ten thousand Dollars conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form~
                                                                                                       Teste
                                                                                                C. A. Hargrove Clk