Will of James A. Dixon - Dated 6 Jul 1882

I JAS. A DIXON do make & publish this my last will & testament. I wish all my just debts paid by my Executors as soon as practicable.

I give to my Executors herein after designated full power to sell real estate & by deed convey the same in case a sale of same is necessary for the payment of my just debts but they will, if such sale is necessary first sell my farm lands not herein after given my wife and last my brick store house on Main street Bells Depot Tennessee.

I direct that my Executors keep the houses &c; on my town lots as fully insured as possible.

I give to my son JAS. EDWARD DIXON my gold watch and chain and request him to keep it so long as he lives unless necessity forces him to part with it.

I give all of my personal property left after the payment of my debts equally to my dear wife & my two sons.

To my Dear wife I give for the term of her natural life my home place on which we live also my farm near (say 4 miles) from Bells Depot Tenn in Crockett Co. Tenn known as my JO EMERSON place also my house in in Bells Depot known as the PORTER House or BRADEN House.

I give to D. H. THOMAS & J. P. SIMMONS in trust for my beloved sons JAS. EDWARD DIXON and JOHN GARFIELD DIXON all the remainder of my real estate. They will keep the same for my two sons using the same as hereinafter directed.

I name designate & appoint D. H. THOMAS and J. P. SIMMONS and Executors of this my last will and testament.

I also name designate and appoint said D. H. THOMAS and JNO. P. SIMMONS as guardians of my two sons.

[The rest of the will, another page, basically states that the property is to be equally divided between the sons, and that they should be educated. There was also a life insurance policy taken out before the birth of John Garfield, who is the youngest. Both sons are under 21]

Witness my hand this 6th day of July 1882

JAMES A. DIXON

Witnesses:
E. M. MIDYETT
E. J. BUCHANAN