John Simmons Will
John Simmons Will
Source Tennessee State Archives Microfilm roll #85, Robertson County Wills and Inventories Vol 1-4.
Transcribed by Jerry Wilson © 2012
page 244,
In the name of God, Amen
I John Simmons of the County of Robertson & State of Tennessee, being at present Sick & frail in body, though of perfect (Sens) mind of Memory
Do make & ordain this to be my Last Will & Testament and first I commend my soul to God, who gave it, hoping for Redemption through the (____) of his son Jesus & trust my body to a decent Christian Burial at the discretion of Executor hereinafter Mentioned.
And as to my Worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless in this life I bequeath in the Manner following Viz;
First, I bequeath to my loving Wife Margaret the whole of my Land containing Eight Hundred & Twenty one Acres (it it can be saved) to her sole and interest use and behoof during her natural life or Widowhood and after her death or marriage to be equally divided among my boys Viz; Charles, John, Edward, James, Volentine, William and Thomas I also bequeath to my loving wife Margaret all and wholly my stock of cattle, hogs, Horses and sheep, also my negros and Homestead furniture (except the negros) during her natural life or Widowhood and after her Death or Marriage to be equallay among all my Younger children Viz; James, Volentine, William, Thomas, Mary and Margaret for the use of them and their heirs forever.
Second, I bequeath to my Daughter Mary one Negro Girl (before mentioned) named Isabel for the use of her to said Mary her heirs & etc forever
I bequeath to my Daughter Margaret one other negro girl (before mentioned) named Jane for the use of her the said Margaret her Heirs & etc forever
It is also my Will that all my Just Debts and funeral charges be paid out of my personal estate, and this Testament to remain as before an interest in the hands of my wife Margaret during her natural life or widowhood, to dispose of the same as she may judge most convenient and afterwards to be divided among all my children in the manner before mentioned, That the estate not be separated until my youngest children shall come of age, to take, to take care of each of this testament said Negro to be bound out for the support of the said children.
And lastly I nominate and appoint my wife Margaret and my sons John and Edward to be Executors of this my last Will and Testament – Hereby revoking all other and former Wills – In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this Twenty Second day of June In the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred & Six
Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged
John (his mark) Simmons
In the presence of;
Edward (his mark) Choate
John McFarland
Robertson County Court October Term 1807
This Will was proven in open court by the oath of Edward Choate & John McFarland, subscribing Witnesses thereto & Ordered to be recorded
Teste Thos. Johnson, Clk
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