Contributed by Jerry Rogers
Please visit the Benjamin "The Immigrant" Rogers Website
Will of Benjamin
Rogers
From Campbell County Tennessee Wills, Bonds, and Inventories,
Vol. 6, 1807-1841. pg. 310.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN
I, Benjamin Rogers, of the County of Campbell and State of
Tennessee, being of sound disposing mind and memory, do make
and ordain as follows to be my last Will and Testament, that
is to say. It is my will that at my death my soul be recommended
to God who brought me into existence, and my body surrendered
up to its mother earth.
It is my will that
my beloved wife, Martha Rogers, have and enjoy the sole
right to the tract of land whereon I now live and which
I purchased of Evan Heatherly, during her natural life,
provided she remains my widow, but if she should marry after
my death, she forfeits all claim to any interest in the
tract of land whereon I now live. It is my will at the death
of my wife, if she remains until her death unmarried, that
William Wright, a young man who I have raised, be entitled
to one half of the tract of land whereon I now live, provided
said William Wright provides for me and my wife Martha in
the same way that he has done during the natural life time
of myself and my wife, Martha, then and not until then said
Wright shall have one equal half of said tract forever.
Should my wife marry, the above and last mentioned decree
shall operate as tho she were dead. It is furthermore my
will that at the death of my wife, Martha, that the remaining
half of the tract of land whereon I now live shall and is
hereby given unto the first heir from the body of the wife
of William Wright that lives for an inheritance forever.
It is my will that at the death of my wife Martha, that
William Wright have a decent bed and bedding and one cupboard,
and one case of drawers, with a bookcase and clock which
I now own and possess and a small filey with the end of
one ear cropped off.
It is my will that
my wife Martha have use and enjoy all my personal property,
such as stock of cattle, hogs and horses, and household
furniture of every description during her natural life.
It is my will that
all my property of a perishable nature be sold at the death
of my wife and out of the proceeds of the sale to pay and
discharge all debts against my estate if any there be and
the balance of the money arising from the sale of my personal
property to be equally divided, my son Stephen Rogers, Sarah
Coats, Polly Sherrill
and Margaret Heavely, they being my son and daughters.
I do hereby revoke
all wills at any time heretofore by me made and declare
this only my last Will and Testament.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this Thirtieth
day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight
hundred and thirty three.
It is my will that
John Rogers of Claibourne County as my executors of this
my last Will and Testament.
Signed, sealed,
and acknowledged before us this day and date above written.
His
Benjamin X Rogers
Mark
F. H. Bratcher }
Abr'm Hayter }
State of Tennessee
}
Campbell County
} County Court, September Term, 1836.
The
last Will and Testament of Benjamin Rogers, deceased, late
of this County, was produced for probate. Whereupon came
Abraham Hayter and F. H. Bratcher, subscribing witnesses
thereto, and made oath that they saw the said Benjamin Rogers
sign, seal or publish and endorse this to be his last Will
and Testament and that he was at the time of signing, sealing,
publishing and declaring this same of sound mind and memory
to the best of his skill, and knowledge, and ordered to
be certified, let it be entered on Will Book at full length.
IN
TESTIMONY WHEREOF I, William Carey, Clerk of the Court of
Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the said County, have herewith
set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office
this 8th day of September A. D. 1834 and of the Independence
of the United States the 59th year.
William
Carey, Clk.
STATE
OF TENNESSEE }
CAMPBELL
COUNTY } A true inventory of the Estate of Benjamin Rogers,
2
Cows and one Calf, two hogs, two sheep, eleven geese, one
Cupboard, one book case, one desk, one table,
five chairs, two beds and furniture for them, two bedsteads
and cord, one P.R. Clock, one Chest, One Cotton Wheel and
One Flax Wheel, One Check REAL, One Rifle Gun, One flax
hackle, one flat iron, one pair of fire tongs, one pair
dog irons, three pewter dishes, three basins, twelve plates,
four spoons and one bread waiter, eight delph plates and
one dish, one pitcher and one teapot, one set of cups and
caucers, 2 bottles and three crocks and two bowls, two glasses
and sugar bolle, one coffee mill and one brass teakettle,
six knives and four forks, 7 books and pair of cotton cords,
one pair of steelyards, three pots, two ovens, two lids,
three skillets, two lids, two pair of pot hooks, one pail,
two piggins, one churn, one cog, one washing tub, one pickling
tub, one pair of drawing chains, one sidesaddle, one loom,
two slags and two pair harnesses. One sprouting hoe, one
log chain, one pair stretchers, one argue, one shaving knife,
and two chissels, one meal sifter and pot hanger, one half
bushel measure.
I do certify the above to be a true inventory of the estate
of Benjamin Rogers, deceased, October 1st, 1836.
Her Mark X
Martha Rogers
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