Will of John Newton

John Newton Will 1853
Source: Robertson County Tennessee Loose Wills
Transcribed by Judy Ryden
© 2010


In the name of god amen
         I John Newton of Robertson County and State of Tennessee being in perfect mind and memory but knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, Do make and ordain this my last will and testament. I will my soul to god my body to the dust, as to the worldly goods which it has pleased god to bestow on me in life my will and desire is that it should be disposed of in the following manner (to wit) I will that all my Just debts be paid after a convenient time after my Death
         Item 1st I give and bequeath to Polly H. Newton one bed beadstead & furniture one Bureau our/one mare Patts one saddle & bridle one Cow & Calf one loom one cotton wheel & cards one flax wheel one Negro Girl named Hariet & her ???
         Item 2nd I give and bequeath to Wm W. Newton my tract of land known as the Hart place containing about Eighty Seven acres one bed bedstead & furniture one cow & calf one fourth part of my stock of hoggs one grey Horse known as the common grey also one other horse saddle & bridle given heretofore one Dorris Plow & one Negro boy named Warren
         Item 3rd I give and bequeath to Nancy W. Stark [note: Nancy Newton m. Avery Stark ln 1837 and dies or divorces before 1861..when he marries Mary H. Newton], which has been advanced to her heretofore one sorrel mare one bed beadstead & furniture one saddle & bridle one Cow & Calf one dining table two yews & lambs this being all I feel willing to give to her & one Negro girl named Winnie to her & her bodily heirs forever
         Item 4th I give & bequeath to James A. Newton one horse Saddle & bridle one bed & furniture also fifteen dollars which he owes me in place of a Cow & Calf all of which has been advanced also one Negro man named Mingo
         Item 5th I give and bequeath to (Amanda Morris drawn through) Eliza Edwards [note: Eliza Newton m. Meredith L. Edwards in 1846] one horse one saddle one bed beadstead & furniture one Cow & Calf two yews & lambs which has been advanced one Negro boy named Steve to her and her bodily heirs for Ever.
         Item 6th I give and bequeath to Amanda Morris [note: Amanda Newton m. Jackson Morris in 1847] one horse and Saddle one bed beadstead & furniture one Cow & Calf one Cotton wheel & cards two Ewes & lambs & five dollars in money the property herein named having been advanced heretofore.
         Item 7th I give and bequeath to Betsy Ann Newton one horse Saddle & bridle one bed beadstead & furniture one Cow & Calf one candlestand one cotton wheel & cards & all the bed clothing that she has made for the last Two years to be hers one Negro Girl named Alma
         Item 8th I give and bequeath to Willie R. Newton one old Grey horse named John & one bay Filly one bed beadstead & furniture one saddle & bridle which he now has one Jackson Press one Corner Cupboard one clock one foalding leaf Table one Cow & Calf my waggon & gear one sythe & cradle three Dorris plows also my tract of land wheron I now live containing by Estimation one hundred & ten acres therefore Polly H. & Betsey Ann Newton to have said lands for a home during their lives or single when they shall marry off then said land & premises to fall Entirely to Willie R. Newton also all my stock of all kinds and Every description Household and Kitchen furniture not named heretofore also one Negro Boy named Isaac one Negro womin named Liz & her Increase from this time the said Willie R. Newton to take possesion at any time should he not be of the age of Twenty one at my Death, the presant Crop, or any Crop pitched at my death the hands to remain on the said place untill all is housed and said crop is to be the said Willie R Newtons he is also to pay off all my debts should I not have money notes or accounts sufficient for that purpose at my death
         Item 9th WmW. Newton having lived with [me] for several years but not in my Employ for which I do not Expect for him to receive any thing more than I have done heretofore for him
         Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my friend T. B. Mathews my Executor to this my last will & testament In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal this 25th day of August 1853
John Newton (seal)
Signed Sealed and published
in our presants & we have
Subscribed our names hereunto
in the presants of the testator this day and year
above written
         M. Draughn
         James E Ruffin


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