In the name of God Amen. I John Gamble of the County of Albemarle and state of Virginia do hereby make this my last Will & Testament. In the first place I desire that all my just debts be paid. In the next place I desire that my man Fountain a slave be hired out from year to year until all my said debts be paid. And when all my just debts are so paid by the hires of Fountain then my will & desire is that my brother Henry I Gamble of the County of Rockingham shall act as master for Fountain and hire out, or that the amount of said hires shall be for the benefit of the said slave Fountain. I also give & bequeath to Franklin (minor) a colored boy now living with Mr Bennington. my silver watch to be given him after his time is up  with Mr Bennington – I also give to my sister Mary Blithenn all the balance of my Estate to her & her heirs forever –  I do hereby constitute & appoint my brother Henry I Gamble my sole Executor to this my last will & Testament. Given under my hand and seal this fourth day of February In the year of Our lord 1847_ John Gamble {seal}

Witness H White Pleasant Gillum John P Gillum M L Anderson

At a court held for Albemarle County 2 August 1847. This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will & Testament of John Gamble dec’d was produced into court and proved by P Gillum & M L Anderson and ordered to be recorded. Teste Ira Ganett CC

Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, Albemarle, Will Books, Vol 18-19, 1847-1850 Image 85

https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62347/images/007643852_00085?pId=1605004

Transcribed 30 Aug 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky