Will of Abram Laster - Dated 18 May 1891

Know all men by these pressent that I ABRAM LASITER of the County of Crockett and state of Tennessee being of sound mind and memory and fully impresed of the certainty of death that sooner or later I must pay that debt as well as all of Gods creatures I hereby make and publish the following as my last will and testament revoking all other wills if any heretofore made by me.

First I desire that when I die my soul be transmitted to that allwise god who gave it and my body be clothed in plain neat apperral and deposited in the tomb without any gorgeous display there to await the final resurection.

Secondly I will and direct that my executor whoom I will hereafter nominate pay off my funeral expenses and all other just indebtedness and obligations I may be under to any one as soon after my decease as practable.

Thirdly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife MAGGIE F. LASTER as a Homestead during her natural life a certain tract or parcel of land whereon I now live containing about 56 acres more of less and is described as follows (description of land)... bounded by G. J. EVANS, JOHN GRIGORY, G. J. RAY, and KERBY... including all the buildings improvements &c; belonging thereto to have and to hold the same to her for and during her natural life.

Fourthly I give and bequeath to my said wife MAGGIE F. One black mare and her colt also all the House hold and Kitchen furnature now on hand also my Buggy and Harness provissions now on hand or the value of same, Cow & Calf now owned by me or one of equal value corn & provender? now on hand or its value the chrice? farming tools sufficient to cultivate the farm allotted to her all this to be hers during her natural life to live upon and use and no bond is to be required of her to refund the same but in case of her death before she should use and exaust said property then I direct the same be taken charge of by my executor, and sell the same and distribute the same equally to my children or their representatives. She is also given all the Hoys I now owne.

Fifthly I direct that my Executor take charge of the remainder of my lands rent the same or sell the same on such terms as he thinks best and make deeds to the purchaser and divide and distribute the proceeds of same equally to my children or their heirs namely W. T. LASTER, J. A. LASTER, L. J. LASTER, MARINA RAY and MARY CHRISTMAN together with monies and other property not disposed of.

Sixthly I direct that my Executor pay to JOHN POUNDS in addition to what the obligations recorded in the County Court at Alamo the sum on $75 or a Poney Horse suitable for a boy of his standing provided however he stays with my wife and fully discharges his duties under the appentice contract until he arrives at the age of Twenty one years.

Seventhly I hereby nominate and appoint my son W. T. LASTER as my Executor to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I hereby sign my name and publish and declare the same as my last will and testament calling on W. W. CROSNOE, JOHN GREGORY & B. H. HARMON as witnesses to the same this May 18th 1891.

ABRAM (X) LASTER

Witnesses:
W. W. CROSSNOE
JOHN GREGORY
B. H. HARMON

[Transcribers note: The last name was first written as Lasiter, then as Laster, through the remainder of the will]