Hawkins
County 
Wills
This is an on-going project being transcribed by the following volunteers: Audrae Mathis; Gary Fletcher; Betty Mize; Diana Arney; Karen Negron, Kathy Welder, Kimberli Buffaloe. Many thanks to these people. Wills will be added as they are transcribed, so check back often.
Page 204
Dated: June 12, 1789
In the Name of God, Amen. I, Alexander Grant of Hawkins County in
the State of North Carolina. being weak in body but of sound mind and memory
and understanding, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament
in manner & form following, to wit: First. It is my will and desire
that my just debts be honestly paid and as for the Estate real and personal
that it hath pleased the Almighty God to bestow on my, I give & bequeath
to my son & daughter, Thomas & Mary Grant, their heirs,
&c forever. But in case one of the said children should die under age,
the surviving child is to have the whole of the Estate, real and personal,
after my loving wife Ellinor Grant's decease, and she is
to have her living out of said Estate as long as it may please God to let
her live. My landed estate doth contain 200 acres more or less, including
the plantation I now live on which is to be equally divided between my
children, Thomas & Mary Grant. In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal, This 12th day of June in the year of our Lord,
one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. By the above named Alex'r
Grant for his last Will and Testament. In presence of us who have hereunto
affixed our names as witnesses: Thos. King Nathan Watson Jn King
Alexander x Grant (seal)(his mark)
Page 204
Dated: March 13, 1805
In name of God, Amen. I Elizabeth Grove of the County of Hawkins,
in the State of Tennessee, being of sound mind but in an infirm state of
health have thought fit to make this my last Will & Testament, and
by these presents do will and and bequeath all the effects I am now possessed
of to my son-in-law David Sensabaugh and his wife, except my wearing
apparel which I bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth How. In witness
whereof I have set my hand and seal This 13th day of March 1805.
Elizabeth x Grove (seal)(her mark)
Test:Thomas Jackson, Joseph Clipper
Page 205
Dated: June 13, 1809
In the Name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Gibbons of the County of Hawkins
& State of Tennessee, being weak in body but of sound and perfect memory,
blessed be Almighty God, do make and publish this my last Will & Testament
in manner & form following (that is to say) -It is my will that all
my personal estate which I now claim be equally divided between my children,
Thomas Gibbons, Nancy Howard, Betsy Chisolm, Edmond Gibbons, William
Gibbons, Sally Gillenwaters and Epps Gibbons and a child's share
to be equally divided between my grand children, Nancy Isham, Garrett
Fitzgerald & Elizabeth Babb, children of my daughter Molly Fitzgerald.
I further bequeath to my son Edmond Gibbons two hundred pounds in
lieu of land over and above his share. I also give and bequeath to my daughter
Rebecca Bell one dollar. I also give & bequeath to my son John
Gibbons one dollar, also my son James Gibbons one dollar, they
having already received their share of my Estate. I hereby appoint my son-in-law
Wm. Hord & my son Edmond Gibbons Executors of this my
last Will & Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, This 13th day
of June, A.D. 1809.
Thos x Gibbons (seal) (his mark)
Signed, sealed Published & declared by the above named Thos. Gibbons
to be his last Will & Testament, in the presence of us who at his
request and in his presence have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
to the same. Jon (Jonathan) Spyker John Starnes (Jurat) Joel
Gillenwaters (Jurat)
Page 205
Dated: October 16, 1809
In the Name of God, Amen, I, Christley Grose of Hawkins County within
the State of Tennessee, being of full age and sound memory do make and
publish this my last Will and Testament in the words and figures following
(to wit) Item. I give and bequeath to James McVay of said County
a certain tract or parcel of land lying in said County of Hawkins containing
150 acres, lying near the lands of Thomas Ingram and John Young
between Carters and Stanleys Valley. Also, I give unto said McVay
one still containing sixty-five gallons, and that this my last will may
be more understood, I do ordain that said James McVay be sole and
entire heir of all the property that I now have both real and personal.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal This sixteenth
day of October, 1809.
Christley x Grose (seal)(his mark)
Test. Nath'l Henderson Patrick McVay
Page 206
Dated August 13, 1789
In the Name of God, Amen. I Philadelphia Grills being in sound judgement
and memory, calling to mind my latter end, being willing to have what little
fortune that it hath pleased God of his goodness to bless me with divided
in the manner following. The six negroes that I claim as my right and property,
that is Mall and her five children, Launar, George, Walker, Robing,
and Silve, my desire is that they be sold and the money divided
in the manner as follows, that is: To my loving husband John Grills
my desire would be that he would have the sum of fifteen pounds paid to
him yearly by the hands of the Legatee, each paying an equal portion to
him out of their part, and the whole amount of the negroes that was the
property of the late Philadelphia Grills deceased is to be equally
divided between Richard Grills, Ellinar Ingles, Mildred Johnson, Martha
McAdow and Elbert Grills. Said Legatees is each of them to receive
their part as soon as sale can be made and the money collected. Only Mildred
Johnson, and her part to be kept in the hands of a trustee to be divided
among the heirs of her body at her death. Only the interest, she-Mildred
Johnson- is to receive yearly. And further, I desire that Richard
Grills should have the sorrel horse that I the deceased Philadelphia
Grills claimed as my property. And I leave my bay mare to Mildred
Johnson and said mare's colt I leave to Ellinar Ingles. And
to Martha McAdow I leave the black mare. And said mare's colt I
leave to Elbert Grills. And I do here appoint and constitute Thomas
Ingles, John McAdow and Elbert Grills to be my Executors
to put this my last will and Testament into execution, and I do disannul
and revoke all wills that hath been heretofore made and I do acknowledge
this to be my last will and Testament as witness my hand and seal This
13th day of August, 1789.
Philadelphia Grills (seal)
Signed in presence of : Jeremiah Chamberlain James Carmichael
And it is my desire that my husband John Grills have any of the
horses that he should make choice of that is mentiont to the aforesaid
Legatees in the other part of the will and said horses is to be returned
to said Legatees at his death and whos ever lot it is that the said John
Grills chooses their horses that is mentiont to them in the aforesaid
will each of them is to have the sum of ___five pounds paid out of the
estate. And further, I leave to my son John Grills the sum of twenty
five pounds to be paid out of said Estate. And to my daughter Elizabeth
Cox the sum of fifteen pounds, and to my son Elbert Grills I
leave the new Bed that I am making up. And the Bed that I ly on, after
the death of his grandfather John Grills, I leave to Washington
Johnson. In witness whereof I the said Philadelphia Grills have
to this my last will and Testament set my hand and seal this 12th day of
October, 1789.
Philadelphia Grills (seal)
Signed, sealed and delivered by the said Philadelphia Grills as
and for her last will and Testament in the presence of us who were present
at the signing and sealing thereof. Jeremiah Chamberlain Thos Flippere
Page 207
Dated: Sep. 26, 1811
In the Name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Galbraith of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being weak of body, but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, to wit:
First and principally of all. I give my soul into care of Almight God
who created and gave it. Second. My body to the Earth to be buried in a
decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my hereinafter named
Executors. And third and lastly. My earthly estate wherewith I may die
seized or possessed, I give and bequeath in manner following: To my beloved
wife Mottlenia all my household and kitchen furniture without reservation
to her use and benefit forever, also two cows and calves and $300.00 out
of the money and personal property I may be possessed of at the time of
my decease. My negro woman Ibb I give and bequeath to the Infant
(or Infants) of which my wife is now pregnant should it survive, to its
use and benefit forever. And during its minority it is my wish that the
said negro may remain under the direction of one of my herein named Executors
and her labor to go towards the support of my said wife and child during
the minority of my child and widowhood of my said wife, and in case of
her marriage, then ever after to the benefit of my said child. But in all
cases it is my wish that should said negro have children, they should be
for the use and benefit of my child, and in case of my said child's death
and death or marriage of my wife then said Ibb I give to my nephew
Joseph Carrington to his use and benefit forever. Item. I give to
my said child should it survive, all the estate personal (sic) that I may
be possessed of at the time of my decease, after paying all debts and the
hereinbefore named legatees, and in case of its death, then and in that
case, I give $300.00 more to my said nephew Joseph Carrington out
of said money that may be on hand. Item. I will that my tract of land containing
500 acres in Roan County (Poplar Creek) shall be sold when recovered, and
it is my wish that my brother Andrew Galbraith shall have the sole
direction of all matters touching said land while in dispute and full power
to sell and dispose of the same when recovered, and be hereby authorized
to dispose of any part of said land in prosecuting said suit until recovered
for the purpose of obtaining the land --that he may think proper. And it
is my will that if said land is recovered, when sold and all costs and
charges defrayed that my wife Mottlenia have one third part of what
may remain of the price of said land, and the remaining two thirds to my
aforesaid Infant to be disposed of for its use during its minority as my
said Executors think proper. And in case of its death the said two thirds
of said land to be equally divided between the following persons, (Viz):
To my sister Margaret Young, my brother Andrew Galbraith, Harvey
Young (son of my sister Sally Young), my sister Julia Davis,
my nephew Pleasant Henderson (son of my sister Tabitha Henderson)
and Eneas S. Galbraith, to each of the above named persons, share
and share alike. It is further my will that any money that may be belonging
to my estate not already herein disposed of shall be divided equally between
the above six persons last named. Item. It is my will that in case my said
Infant lives and my wife decease, remove, or marry that my Executors shall
have direction of my child's education in every manner whatever. Item.
The foregoing I declare to be my last Will and Testament in all its parts,
publishing and declaring it as such, disannulling and revoking all others.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this
26th day of September in the year of our Lord, 1811. Item. I hereby constitute
and appoint my two brothers Andrew Galbraith and Aeneas S. Galbraith
Executors to this my last Will and Testament. This I further publish
and declare to be part of my last Will & Testament: Item. I will in
case my said negro should have children and my said child decease during
its minority and my wife decease or marry, then and in that case, it is
my will that my said nephew Joseph Carrington shall have negro child
or children as well as negro Ibb. This I also declare to be part
of this my last Will and Testament. In testimony of all and every part
herein contained, I hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first
before herein written.
Joseph Galbraith (seal)
Signed, sealed, published & declared in presence of us: Robert x
Young (his mark) Arthur x young (his mark)
Page 210
Dated: Feb'y 23, 1818
I Arthur Galbraith of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee,
being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the
mortality of my body that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make,
ordain, publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner
and form following: First and principally of all. I give my soul into care
of Almight God who created and gave it. Second. My body to the Earth to
be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my
Executors. And Third and lastly. My Earthly Estate wherewith I may die
seized or possessed I give and bequeath in manner following: First, I allow
all my just debts to be paid. Second. I will to my son John Galbraith
my negro boy Albert and my negro girl Araminto and $200.00
in money, also my old servant negro man Aaron, the said negro having
been a faithful servant and it is his wish to reside with my said son John.
Third. I will to my daughter Elizabeth Armstrong my negro boy Mitchell.
Forthly. I will to my son Andrew Galbraith the sum of ten dollars
which I consider his part having heretofore provided for him. Fifthy. I
will to my son Aeneas S. Galbraith my negro woman Minna and
her youngest child Nancy to my grand daughter Elizabeth Galbraith,
daughter of my son Aeneas. Sixthly. I will that all my stock of
every kind, household furniture, farming utensils and money on hand and
every kind of property not heretofore disposed of to be sold and the money
arising therefrom to be equally divided among my herein after named children,
share and share alike (To wit): My daughter Margaret Young, Elizabeth
Armstrong, Polly Looney, Sally Young, Julia Davis, Tabetha Henderson and
Lucinda Carrington. Forthly and Lastly. I constitute and appoint
my two sons John Galbraith and Aeneas S. Galbraith Executors
of this my last will and Testament. The foregoing I publish and declare
to be my last Will and Testament, revoking all others. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seals This 23rd day of February,
1818.
Arthur x Galbraith (seal) (his mark)
Signed, sealed, published and declared in presence of: James Amis,
Jurat Henry Brown, Sen'r,Jurat Henry Brown
Page 211
Dated: Dec. 29, 1820
I, James Taylor Gaines of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee
being weak in body but in sound mind & memory meditating on the uncertainty
of human events ordain & desire this to be my last Will & testament
- first giving up to Almighty God my soul & body the giver & maker
of it. 1st. It is my wish & desire that the tract of land whereon I
now live with all the lands adjoining the same, purchased of Joseph
McMinn and my part of an undivided tract granted to David Kinkead
be sold on condition (that) $8,000.00 can be had for them and do hereby
authorize my Executrix and Executors hereinafter named to convey the same
to any person or persons that may pay that amt. for the same or secure
the payment for that amt. for the same & subject to the following conditions,
to wit: I wish my Father and Mother to reside in the house where they now
live or in the house at the head of the Spring where James Childress
lately resided at their option & to hold during their natural lives
with the following premises the upper field or field above the branch with
the boat yard field as low down as the first drain that empties into the
river from the long ditch with the orchard field but not the exclusive
privilege of the fruit but an equal share of it. Also have free privilede
of the large wood land pasture for the use and benefit of their stock.
It is further my wish and desire that they have my sorrel horse Kuswii
by the name of the Big Sorrel, also Old Ball a sorrel horse, two cows and
calves from head of young cattle of an average quality, one-half of my
stock of hogs on hand, and as much corn and wheat as will be sufficient
for their support and family until they can raise or make a crop, &
further I desire that my negro Ben be retained by my Mother and
Father during their lives to assist in making a support. After their death(s),
I wish Ben sold with any of the property that may be remaining on
hand herin directed to be put into the possession of my Father & Mother
& the money arising from the sale to be loaned or vested in some kind
of stock that will be most profitable to my wife and children. I also desire
that my Father and Mother have the privilege of half the garden with the
before described premises during their natural lives or so long as they
think proper to reside on the same. I bequeath to my beloved sister Sarah
Gaines my negro girl Malinda and her heirs, together with my
horse known by the name of Pony. I will to Joseph Everett and his
heirs the plantation where my sister Childress and her family now
reside, but subject to the following uses & trusts, to wit: That during
the natural life of my said sister Childress, that he shall permit
her to remain in the use and occupation of the farm or pay over to her
for her sole use and benefit the rents and profits of same as shall be
most to her benefit & advantage, and after the death of my said sister
Childress it is my will that the said Joseph Everett or his
heirs shall expose the said tract of land to sale for the highest price
that can be procured for the same and then divide the money arising from
said sister Childress, share and share alike, to wit: James,
Phebe, Edmond, Henry, Elizabeth & Behetheland. It is also my will
that the ten shares I hold of the town of Demopolis in the State of Alabama
be sold by my Executrix and Exucutors, and I do hereby authorize them to
transfer or convey the same. The moneys arising from sale be paid over
for the use of wife & children equally. It is also my will that all
my personal property with 100 acres of land adjoining the lands of Rosses
large survey & Alexander's lands be sold except the property
above devised or bequeathed & the following negroes to wit: Jack,
Diner, Dick, Minerva, Gilbert, John & Rufus, which negroes I wish
retained with their increase for the use and benefit of my wife and children
Elizabeth Mary and Frances Gaines. The money arising from
the sale of my property after paying all my debts, I wish equally divided
between my wife and my two daughters before mentioned. It is my will in
case my landed Estate whereon I now reside with the adjoining lands cannot
be sold for the sum herein directed - That it be rented or occupied by
my wife & children as she may think most proper. It is my will &
desire that my beloved wife, Frances G. Gaines be & act
as my Executrix with my friends John G. Gaines & Clinton Armstrong
as Executors of this my last will & Testament, hereby revoking &
making void all former wills by me made whatever. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal This 29th day of December,
1820.
James T. Gaines (seal)
Signed, sealed & achnowledged in presence of us the date above written.
Jho A. Rogers P. Parsons John Shough
Page 213
Dated: August 20, 1823
In the Name of God, Amen. I, James Gideons, Senior of the County
of Hawkins and State of Tenn., being weak in body but of sound and perfect
mind and memory, calling to mind the mortality of my body, knowing that
it is appointed for all men once to die. First of all, I give my body to
the earth to be buried in a Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor
and my soul I give to Almighty God who gave it, nothing doubting but at
the resurrection I shall receive both at the mighty hand of God. And as
it has pleased God to bless me with such worldly Estate wherewith I am
blessed with do make constitute ordain and appoint this my last Will and
Testament in the following manner and form. Item First. I give and bequeath
unto my son Edward Giddions $50.00 to be levied out of my Estate
in trade at trade rates. The next place, I give and bequeath unto my son
William Giddeons one dollar in like manner. Next, I give to my son
James Giddeons $50.00 to be paid twelve months after my decease
in trade at trade rates. Next, I give and bequeath unto my son Isham
Giddions a certain boundary of my land whereon I now live, beginning
on a forked sugar tree, running North to two dogwoods Thence East with
a conditional line between Isham & John Gideons to a horn beam
on the old line. Thence a South East course with the old line to a stake
near William Gideon's house. Thence West with a conditional line
made between myself and my son William Gideons to a sugar tree.
Thence a Southeast Course with a conditional line to the old line to a
stake near the top of clinch Mountian. Thence with the old line to the
beginning. Next, I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Elizabeth
Davis and Sary Reed all my household furniture with the exception
of one bed and furniture to be equally divided between them at my decease
and my wife's. Likewise, I give unto the above named daughters all my stock
of every kind, likewise to be divided equally between them. And in the
next place I give and bequeath unto my son John Gideons one feather
bed and furniture. It is further my will that my son Isham Gideons
be my Executor and I do hereby appoint, constitute and ordain my son Ishum
my Executor to attend to the business as my Executor, and it is further
my will that my son Ishum sees to take care and support my beloved
wife Martha Gideons of the substances of my Estate during her natural
lifetime, and it is further my will that if any of my said heirs are dissatisfied
with this my last Will & shall go to law about my property that they
forfeit all claim to any part of my Estate, and the part that was allotted
to them to be divided amongst the balance of my s'd heirs. Now, I the said
James Gideons, senior do ratify this to be my last Will and Testament,
revoking and disannulling and disallowing all other wills and Tenements.
Signed, sealed and delivered This twentieth day of August in the Year of
our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty three in the presence of
us who in the presence of each other have hereunto set our names as witnesses.
James x Gideons (seal)
Test: Ab hawk Nicholas Antrikin
Page 214
Dated: Sept. 28, 1826
Know all men by these presents that I John Grigsby of the County
of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being sick and weak of body but of sound
mind and memory do this day make my last Will and Testament. First of all,
I give and commend my life into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and
my body to the Earth from whence it sprang. I give and bequeath to my wife
Winney Grigsby my negro man Will and his family, Viz:
Susan, Frank and Gibson, as long as she lives. I give and bequeath
to my son Nathaniel Grigsby and Ashby Grigsby all my lands
and tenaments lying on the south side of Holston River adjoining on the
west to James Sanders' land and to James Bredens' line on
the east to be equally divided between them. Nathaniel Grigsby is
to have the part of the land I now live on, together with the buildings.
The said Nathaniel Grigsby and Ashby Grigsby are to have
no part of the remainder of my lands. My negro man Will is to be
no longer a slave after the death of me and my wife Winney Grigsby;
he shall be allowed to live with any of the children as he pleases or with
anybody else. I give and bequeath to my daughter Judy Smith ten
dollars out of my Estate and all I have gave her and no more. I give to
my daughter Elizabeth Rutherford and John Rutherford her
husband ten dollars out of the Estate I now have and all I have gave them
and no more. I give to my daughter Fanny Wood, dec'd and John
Wood her husband ten dollars out of my estate and all I have gave them
and no more. I give to my daughter Polly Smith and James Smith
her husband ten dollars out of my estate and all I have gave them and no
more. I give to my daughter Winney Rutherford and John Rutherford
her husband ten dollars out of my estate and all I have gave them and no
more. William Grigsby my son is to have $235.00 out of my estate
over and above an equal share of the remainder of my estate lands excepted
being indebted for the value and all I have gave him and no more. James
Grigsby is to have an equal share of my Estate, lands excepted. Also
Samuel Grigsby is to have an equal share of my Estate lands excepted.
John Grigsby is to have the price of a plantation out of my estate
to be worth Five Hundred Dollars and equal part of the estate. Nancy
West and her husband James West is to have an equal share of
my Estate, lands excepted. Lucy Murrel [Herrial--see original] is
to have an equal share of my estate, lands excepted, and negro Ede and
negro Alcy also. I give to my two grand daughters Louisiana Smith
and Minerva Smith a negro girl named Rose and all I have give them
shall be theirs and no more. So this my last Will and Testament whereunto
I have set my hand and affixed my seal, This twenty eighth day of September,
1826.
N.B. I will that my son James Grigsby be appointed Guardian for
Louisiana and Manerva Smith, my grand daughters over the
negroes I have gave them above mentioned.
John x Grigsby (Seal) (his mark)
Witness: Jesse Creech
Page 216
Dated: August 21, 1827
In the Name of God, Amen. I, William Going of the County of Hawkins
and State of Tennessee, being of sound mind and memory at present, blessed
be God, do this 21st day of Aug. in the year of our Lord one thousand,
Eight hundred and twenty seven make and publish this my Will and Testament
in manner following, that is to say: First of all. After paying my just
debts, I wish my personal property and the tract of land coming to me from
the United States be sold to pay my debts and the over plush money, if
there be any, to be divided equally between my heirs, except Sheard
and Andrew Going, my two sons, to have the 50 acres of land I now
live on equally between them if the debts can be settled without selling
the land. And I do ordain and appoint Nicholas Long my Executor
of this my last Will and Testament without his giving bond and security,
in the presence of us who are present at the time of his signing and sealing
thereof.
William x Going (seal)(his mark)
Witness: (his mark) John x King and William Willeford
Page 216
Dated:Dec. 22, 1827 Proved: Nov. 25, 1828
In the Name of God, Amen. I, William Gross of the County of Hawkins
and State of Tennessee, being old and infirm and knowing that all men are
born to die, But being of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this
my last Will and Testament in writing. I wish all my just debts to be paid
out of my Estate. Secondly, I give unto my beloved wife Nancy Gross
the plantation whereon I now live, including all the land that lies
on the south side of Big Creek within the first grant. I wish my household
and kitchen furniture, stock and farming utensils to be sold and my just
debts to be paid and if any money should be left after all my just debts
is paid, I wish it to be appropriated to the use of my beloved wife Nancy
during her life. I further will and bequeath unto my daughter Catherine
Murphy 60 acres of land, to her and her children during their life.
Beginning on Absoloms Looney's line and running through the hundred
acre tract including the farm whre she now lives. I further will and bequeath
unto my daughter Polly Grose 40 acres of land. Beginning at Big
Creek and running to Catherine Murphy's line. I further will and
bequeath that the balance of my land be equally divided betweeen my three
sons, James, William and Cornelius Gross. I further will
that my three sons, James, William and Cornelius, pay my
daughter Sally Gilliam $130.00 in current money - half to be paid
three years after my death and the balance three years after the death
of my wife Nancy, admitting she outlives me. And also, I further
will that my three sons, James, William and Cornelius, pay
Lewis Gross, son of John Gross, dec'd the sum of $80.00 in
current money and Margaret Rorack $15.00, and Mary and Nancy
Gross, children of my dec'd son, John Gross $30.00 each - to
be paid in like manner. And I will and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth
Ford the sum of $5.00. I do appoint my sons James and Cornelius
Gross my Executors of this my last Will & Testament in writing,and
wish them to enter on the business without giving security. Revoking all
other wills by me made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal, This 22nd day of December, One thousand, eight hundred
and twenty seven, in the presence of us: James V. Campbell Stephen Wilson
William Gross (seal)
Page 218
Dated: Sept. 27, 1828
In the Name of God, Amen. Be it remembered that I, Francis Goddard
of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being weak in body but
of sound mind and memory, and considering that it is appointed for men
once to die, do make this my last Will and Testament in words and form
following, Viz: First of all. I commend my body to the dust and my Spirit
to God that gave it, that is to say, my body to be buried in a decent Christian
order, hoping in the G resurrection I shall receive it again. Secondly.
It is my will that my dear and well beloved wife Sarah Goddard should
have and hold all my estate, my lands and all my perishable property, stocks
of all kinds, household and kitchen furniture of everykind, together with
all my farming utensils and every part and parcel thereof to have an to
hold during her natural life. And at her decease my son Soloman Goddard
should have all the land which is 160 acres. Also at my wife's decease,
I want all the perishable property to be equally divided between my three
single daughters, Polly, Revecca G. and Suteary G. and those
three to have the priviledge to abide with their mother as long as they
live single. Item. It is my will and desire that my oldest daughters Caty
and Elenor and Sally should have $5.00 each of my property
- that the Legatees previously named should pay them that sum out of the
property. Also, my daughter Nancy to have $10.00 out of the estate.
And I do hereby appoint my dear and well beloved wife Sarah as my
sole Executrix or Executor.
N.B. The sums mentioned to be trade at that price. Together with William
Feagins as assistant and do hereby disannul all former wills by me
made, and do hereby acknowledge this to be my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed me seal This
27th day of September, 1828.
Francis x Goddard (seal)(his mark)
Signed, sealed and ack'd in presence of William Fegins, James Pryer
Iscaa D. Cox
Page 219
Dated: August 22, 1832
In the Name of God, Amen. I, John Galbraith of the County of
Hawkins & State of Tennessee, being of perfect mind and memory and
calling to mind the imortality of my body, that it is appointed for all
men once to die, do make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last
Will and Testament in manner and form following. First and principally
of all, I give my soul into care of Almighty God who created and gave it.
Second. My body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at
the discretion of my hereinafter named Executors, and Third and lastly,
I give my Earthly estate wherewith I may die seized or possessed of in
manner following: First. I allow all my just debts to be paid. Second.
I give to my son Andrew L. Galbraith $1,000.00 in money. Third.
I give to my daughter Priscilla Wright a negro girl named Araminta
which I consider worth $200.00, also three notes of hand given by her husband
Robert Wright for $308.00, making in all the sum of $508.00, which
sum is to be counted in her dower as part of my estate without interest
hereinafter named. I also give her one cow and calf of my stock and one
bed and furniture. Fourth. To my daughter Sally Watterson I give
one bed & furniture over and above what she has heretofore received.
Fifth. To my son John Sharp Galbraith two horse beasts, to wit:
One brown horse called his horse & one sorrel mare, a new three horse
waggon and $700.00 in money, also two beds and one bed stead and furniture.
Sixth. To my daughter Juliann I give one hundred dollars in money,
one horse, two beds & furniture. Seventh. To my son Arthur Wright
Galbraith I give my large Family Bible, $1,100.00 in money, a negro
boy named Spencer, a mare and young horse, two beds and furniture,
provided he goes to the State of Missouri and settles and remains there,
but in case he does not go to said State of Missouri, or if said state
should not agree with him and he may return and prefer living elsewhere,
in that case I will that he have the tract of land I now live on in Stanley
Valley containing 178 acres, also an entry of 50 acres, making in all 228
acres, more or less. The negro boy above named, Book, horses & Beds.
The rest of my books I wish equally divided with all my children except
Arthur W. Galbraith, and my hereinafter named Executors to make
s'd division. I will that all my negroes, together with all my stock of
every kind, household furniture & farming tools and every kind of property
not herein already disposed of be sold and the proceeds of the sale &
money on hand be equally divided among my herinafter named children, share
and share alike (to wit) Priscilla Wright, Matilda Haygood, Sally Watterson,
Melinda Sprowl & Juliann Galbraith. Lastly. I consititute
and appoint my son Andrew Galbraith & brother Aeneas S. Galbreath
Executors of this my last Will & Testament. The foregoing I declare
to be my last Will and Testament, disannulling & revoking all others.
In testimony I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal, This 22nd day of
August, 1832.
John Galbraith (seal)
Signed in presence of: H. Watterson, Elijah C. Gillenwaters Absolom
D. Looney
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