Book A, Transcript Page: 61

In the name of God, Amen. I James Cole of the County of Carroll & State of Tennessee being of body but of sound and perfect mind & memory blessed be Almighty God for the same. Do make and publish this my last will & Testament in manner and form following ( that is to say

First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife – Hannah Cole during her natural life one third part of all the property Real and personal I may die seized and possessed of that is to say of Land Negroes Horses Cattle and which at her death I wish divided between my Son Richmond S. Cole and James M. Cole share and share alike. And in the event of the Death of either of my sons aforesaid happening before that of my wife Hannah Cole the whole to belong to the Survivor. My house hold and kitchen Furniture I give and bequeath unto my said beloved wife Hannah to be disposed of at her own discretion. Secondly, I give and bequeath to my said Sons Richmond S. Cole and James M. Cole the remaining two thirds of all the property real and personal I may have in my possession of at the time of my Death as also all debts due me Notes and monies which may be on hand at said time Share and Share alike and in case either die before receiving hes share the same to belong to the Survivor. All of my just debts I wish paid out of my property before a division of it betwen my wife Hannah and Sons Richmond S. Cole and James M. Cole. Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my son John Washington Cole a certain negro boy named Harry aged about twelve years which said boy is now in possession of my said son John Washington Cole. Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my four sons in law namely William Crawford who intermarried with my daughter Elizabeth, John L. Campbell who intermarried with my Daughter Jane James Covington who intermarried with my Daughter Ann and Thomas A. Crawford who intermarried with my Daughter Julia the sum of Fifty cents each having heretofore given to each his share of my property with shich I trust they will respectively be satisfied. And lastly as to all the rest residue and remainder of my personal Estate goods and Chattles of what kind and nature whatsoever I give and bequeath the same to my Said Sons Richmond S. Cole and James M. Cole whom I hereby appoint Executors with my wife Hannah Cole Executrix of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. The negroes in my possession now conveyed in the foregoing Items to my beloved wife Hannah and Sons Richmond S. and James M. Cole Ten in number one named as follows to-wit, Will Joe York Perry Washington Dinah Ann Jane Mary and Betsy. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of Nov in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two (A.D.1832).

Signed sealed published and declared by the above James Cole to be his last will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the Testator

M.F. Davis, W.L. Mc Neill, James C. McNeill.

JAMES COLES (SEAL)

State of Tennessee )
Carroll County Court ( April Term 1837.

This day was produced in open Court the last will and Testament of James Cole which was due proven by the oaths of James <.McNeill and M.F. Davis to have been his act and deed of the said Cole for the purposes therein contained.

A Copy Test G. Hern, Clerk
By J.R. Smith, D.C.

This text was transcribed by Jere Cox from the typescript entitled Tennessee Records of Carroll County Will Book “A” September, 1822 – 1864 (approximately) created in 1937 under the Works Progress Administration.

Corresponding Resource: FamilySearch has a microfilm copy of the WPA transcript of Will Book A available to view on-line (click here).  A free FamilySearch login is required to view microfilm.

Jere Cox was an early Carroll County TNGenWeb coordinator.  We do not intend to violate Jere’s copyright interests by including the transcription here, but we want to make sure his efforts remain available for future researchers.