WILL OF JAMES GROOM

I, James Groom, do make and publish this as my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any other time made.

First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possession of or may first come into the hands of my Executor.

Secondly, whereas I have given to my Daughters Nancy, the wife of Robert Givan, the sum of one hundred and Seventy two dollars.

Thirdly, I have given to my daughter Elisabeth, the wife of Gipson West, the sum of four hundred and fifty two dollars taken in consideration one negro girl value at two hundred and fifty dollars.

Fourthly, I have given to my daughter Caroline the wife of William Bratton the sum of four hundred and fifty two dollars.

Fifthly, I have given to my son William Groom the sum of six hundred and Eighty two dollars.

Sixthly, I have given to my daughter Lucinda the wife of Joseph Turney the sum of Four hundred and fifty two dollars.

Seventhly, I give and bequeath to my wife Luestia Groom all my property now in my possession both real and personal during her natural life requiring said wife to give to my sons, Thomas, Bethel, and John Groom two hundred and two dollars worth of property as soon as they become twenty one year of age also to my daughter Sarah Groom four hundred and fifty two dollars as soon as she becomes twenty one years of age or sooner if said wife thinks proper also Nancy, Elizabeth and Sarah Caroline the daughters of the aforesaid Nancy Givan and is to have two hundred and Eighty dollars as soon as they become twenty one years of age or sooner is she thinks proper.

Eight, I give to my son Thomas, Bethel and John Groom all of my lands that I am now in possession of to be Equally divided amongst them at the death of said wife Lucretia Groom the remaining property to be so divided as to make them all equal in amount that is to say all of my lawful heirs.

Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint my executor in witness where I do to this my will set my hand and seal this the 20th day of August 1853.James Groom
(x his mark)
(Seal)

Signed sealed and published in our presence and we have subscribed hereto in the presence of the testator this 20th day of August 1853

Thomas Given
Jasper Ruyle
John A. Fuson
Horace Overall

This instrument of writing enterlined between the Eleventh and twelfth lives with the following words (to wit): taking in consideration one negar girl valued at two hundred and fifty dollars.


Probate
State of Tennessee
County Court for DeKalb County October Term 1854

On motion the paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of James Groom deceased late of the County of DeKalb which will or paper writing was presented for probate in open court and was duly proven by the oaths of Thomas Givan, Horace A. Overall, two of the subscribing witness to said will or paper writing, who being first duly sworn in open court depose and said that they were personally acquainted with James Groom the testator and that he signed said will or paper writing in their presence at his late dwelling house in said county on the day the same purports to bear date and that he acknowledged the same to be his last will and testament and that he the said testator requested the said witness to subscrib their name and a such witness in his presence ordered that said will or paper writing admited to record there being no objections to the same and it appearing further to the court that there had been no Executor appointed by said will or paper writing wereupon Lucritia Groom widow of the said deceased together with William Groom came into open court and moved the court to appointed administrator and administratrix with the will annexed of all and Singular the goods and chattles rights and credits of the said James Groom and William Groom was duly appointed administrator and administratrix with the will said Lucritia Groom and William Groom entered into bond in the sum of twelve thousand dollars condition as the law directs with Joseph Turney, William Bratton and Gipson R. West their securities approved by the court which bond was duly acknowledged in open court an ordered to be filed whereupon the said Lucretia Groom and William Groom was duly sworn in open court and ordered that letters of administration with the will annexed, be issued to them which is done the same having been done in open court the 2nd day October 1854.

W.J. Isbell clk of DeKalb
County Court


Letters
State of Tennessee DeKalb County

Where as on this the 2nd day October 1854 the death of James Groom late of the County of DeKalb deceased was suggested in open court and that he departed this life leaving a will which will have been duly proven in open court and that there being no executor or executrix appointed by said will whereupon Lueritia Groom and William Groom have been appointed and qualified administrator and administratrix.

These are therefore to empower the administrator and administratrix to enter into and upon credits of the said testator according to said will and the law in such cases made and provided and the same into their possession take where so ever the same way be found in this state and inventory to return to this court within the time limited by law and according to the will hereunto annexed and all the just debts of the said deceased to pay so fore as the said estate will extend or amount to.

Witness W.J. Isbell cleark of our said court at office the 1st Monday in October A.D. 1854 and in the seventy ninth year of American Independence.

W.J. Isbell clerk of DeKalb
County Court

James M. Malone
403 Highland Avenue
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281

MY LINE OF DESCENT
James Groom and Lucretia Strickland
Thomas Groom and Mary Truitt
Claude Caesar Groom and Mary Ellen (Mollie) Hays
Roberta Hays Groom and William Thomas Hardcastle
Mary Sue Hardcastle and John LaFayette Malone
James Michael Malone


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