CARTER COUNTY, TN - WILLS - Alfred M. Carter, 31 Jan 1845
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                Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee
                               January 31st, A.D. 1845
           
	    In the name of God Amen. I, Alfred M. Carter, 
of the County of Carter, and State of Tennessee, being of 
sound mind and memory, but weak of body; knowing that it 
is appointed unto all men once to die, do make and 
appoint this my last will and Testament. 
    I give my Soul to God, who gave it, to be disposed of 
according to the good pleasure of his will.
    I do hereby nominate and appoint Evelina B. Carter, 
Samuel P. Carter, Wm. B. Carter, Jr., and James P.T. 
Carter to be my Executrix and Executors. 
    Touching such wordly estate as it hath pleased God to 
favor me with, I dispose of it in the following manner.
	1. All my just debts I request to be paid by my 
Executrix and Executors.  In order that they may be
able to do this, I desire that they shall have full power 
and authority to sell and dispose of, any part, or all of 
my personal or real property, at private sale, and to the 
best advantage.
    However, should my Executrix and Executors believe,
that, by continuing my business as it was conducted 
before my decease, they will be able to pay all my debts 
without disposing of any of my personal property, or real 
estate, I do hereby give them the entire control of the 
whole of my estate, both personal and real, for the space 
of five years, if so much be necessary, in order to 
accomplish this object: Allowing to them a fair and 
reasonable compensation for their labours: Provided 
herein, however, that my Executrix and Executors, either 
jointly, or separately, shall not be accountable to any 
of my heirs for any misfortune arising from bad trading,
as from any other sources of loss which is beyond their 
control.
	2. After my debts are paid, I wish that my wife, 
Evelina B. Carter, shall enjoy the use of my farm which 
lies on the Watauga River, (being a part of a Tract of 
land containing six-hundred and fifty acres, which was 
originally granted to Landon Carter), together with my 
dwelling house, lots of ground, in and about 
Elizabethton, with the forge and mills, and all the 
machinery attached thereto, and also, that she shall have 
the entire control and use of all my Slaves, during her 
natural life. 
	3.  I wish that my property, of whatever kind, 
which remains after the payment of my debts, be equally
divided between the following persons, viz. David W. 
Carter, the heirs of my daughter Elizabeth J. Rhea, 
Landon D. Carter, Samuel P. Carter, Wm. B. Carter, Jr. 
and James P.T. Carter, with the following exceptions: to 
wit, David W. Carter to receive four-thousand dollars 
less, and Landon D. Carter three thousand less than 
either of my other children, in as much as I formerly 
gave to them the sum attached to each of their names 
above.  The heirs of Elizabeth J. Rhea to receive one 
sixth part of my Estate, after the debts I owe have been 
discharged. 
	4.  I desire that at the final division of my 
estate, (that is, after the decease of my wife); all my 
slaves shall form a portion of the property that shall 
fall to the lot of Samuel P. Carter, Wm. B. Carter, Jr. 
and James P.T. Carter, as I wish to prevent them being 
thrown in numerous hands. Witness my hand [last line on 
tear in paper and is unreadable].

Witness				A.M. Carter  (Seal)
  Wm. L. Murphey
  Wm. P. Brown                      
  Aquila Moore