Book A, Transcript Page: 258

I Rightman Hilliard of thr County of Carroll and State of Tennessee planter do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and

First I diret that my body be decently intered at my own house in said County in a manner suitable to my condition in life and as to such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to entrust me with I dispose of the same as follows, first expences be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any money that I may die possessed of or may first come into the hands of my Executors from any portion of my estate real or personal.

Secondly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Delany Hilliard all my slaves to wit Frank a boy & Dilla & Jerry & Alfred Ellich Angiline & Ruth together with their increase also all my land on which I now live also all my stock of all kinds I give to my wife during her natural life or widowhood.

Thirdly I give to my son Haywood a horse bridle and saddle and one bed and furniture also my younger children Naney Ellin Manerva Emma Cordelia Ann & Rebecca Francis have a horse bridle and saddle and bed and furniture as they arrive at full age and my son Ezekiel have one bed and furniture to make them equal with my older children and at the death of my said wife I wish my executors to divide all of my land and slaves among among my said children if it can be done without selling them if not I want my Executor to sell all and divide the proceds equal among all my children.

I also give to my wife all my household and kitchen furniture also my wagon and all my farming tools and at the death of my wife all to be sold and equally divided among my said children.

Lastly, I do hereby make ordain and appoint my beloved sons William Y. Hilliard and Ezekiel Hilliard Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I Rightman Hilliard have to this my will ritten on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this the 16th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand & fifty three,

Rightman Hilliard (Seal)

Acknowledged in the presence of us this the day and date above written.

Test James C. Parker, Joseph Sugg.

State of Tennessee )

Carroll County Court (

At the March term of the County Court of Carroll County Court 1856 the last will and Testament of Rightman Hilliard deceased was offered and administrated in open court and duly proven by the testimony of James C. Parker and Joseph Sugg and ordered to be duly recorded of which the fore-going is a copy test.

W. H. Graves Clerk

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.