Thomas Adams 1785 VA- "...my slave Joe."

Reference from: Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement In Virginia, Extracted From The Original Court Records Of Augusta County1745-1800 By Lyman Chalkley, Vol III, pg.182Page 99.--14th October, 1785. Thomas Adams's will, of the Calfpasture, being about to take a perilous journey to the Ohio river; to wife, Elizabeth, lands in Augusta and Amherst; to only brother, Richard Adams; to nephew, William Adams Fry, all lands on Western Waters; to William Smith, son of my highly esteemed and much lamented nephew, William Smith, lately of County of Essex, deceased; to nephew, William Adams; to friend, John Blair, Chancellor, lands he purchased of testator in Albermarle County known by name of Mountain Plains; to Ralph Wanlass, lands whereon Ralph lives and to support Ralph's mother while she lives; to niece, Tabitha Epps; to slave, Joe, freedom-- "As there is no man to whom I consider myself under Greater obligations than to my slave Joe." Executors, Maj. Thos. Massie, of Frederick, nephews Wm. Adams and Wm. Adams Fry. Written with own hand. Proved, 22d Octover, 1788. Executors Massie and Fry qualify; other executor is dead. Handwriting is proved by Thomas Hughart and Archibald Stuart.[Hope this helps someone]