WILL OF STEPHEN ROBINSON
Smith Co., Tenn. Will Book
March 11, 1828

"In the name of God, amen, I Stephen Robinson, of the County of Smith and State of Tennessee, knowing the uncertainty of this natural life, and feeling my bodily strength fast declining: but being of sound and perfect mind and memory do make an d publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Betty Robinson during her natural life the two sellar rooms, two west rooms, on the first floor and the west room above stairs of my dwelling house, also all my household and kitchen furniture of eve ry description what-soever except a bed and furniture which is disposed of beneath: also one hundred and fifty acres of land to be set apart or laid off as she chooses or directs, so as to include my house and one half' of my apple orchard, likewise, two Negro men Sam and Simon, Negro woman Chloe (which three Negroes at her death are to be disposed of as hereinafter directed) and a Negro girl named Rheny also two work horses, twelve head of cattle, twenty five head of hogs, twe lve head of sheep (all choice of the stock or flock) two ploughs, three weeding hoes and one years provision.

I also give and bequeath to my son George Robinson a Negro man named Peter, also six hundred and four dollars which he has already received from me in cash, and which I wish my Executors to make no demand of: as I will and bequeath the s ame to him forever.

I also give and bequeath to my son James Robinson a Negro man named Sims which he has now in his possession; also the Negro girl Rheny which I have given and bequeathed to my beloved wife Betty Robinson, during her natural life, a fter her death.

I also give and bequeath to my son Stephen Robinson, Jr. a Negro man named Tomo; also two hundred and twenty five dollars to be raised by my Executors out of my personal Estate.

I also give and bequeath to my son Augustin Robinson two hundred acres of land lying on Hickmans Creek and on which the said Augustin now lives.

I also give and bequeath to my son John Robinson two hundred acres of the North end of the tract of land I now live on. I also give and bequeath to my grandson Christopher C. Robinson son of my son Edward Robinson, ded. one hundr ed and five acres of land joining the tract on which I live to the South, also forty acres of the tract I now live on to be laid off or set apart so as to extend east and west as far as the north line of the tract before mentioned of a hun-dred and five a cres extends east and west, and so on north and south, for complement so as to contain just forty acres.

I also give and bequeath to my Executors two hundred dollars for to be expended in giving my grandson Christopher C. Robinson, son of my son Edward Robinson an education, and to be raised by them out of my personal estate.

I also give and bequeath to my son Archer Robinson the residue or remainder of the tract of land I now live on, containing four hundred acres more or less, to enjoy the same immediately at my death ex-cept my beloved wife Betty Robinson's life estate in a hundred and fifty acres, which he is to enjoy after her death, also two Negro women, Betty and Milly during- the natural life of my wife Betty Robinson, and after her death to be disposed of in the following manner together with the two Negro men Sam and Simon, and Negro woman Chloe, all of which I bequeath to my wife Betty Robinson during her natural life (Viz) to be set up to the highest bidder amongst my heirs, and no person except my heirs allowed to bid as it is my will and wish the Negroes shall remain in the family, also a bed and furniture.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Uhls a Negro girl named Hannah, also three hundred and eighty eight dollars, which has already been received by her from me, and which I wish my executors to make no demand of from her, as I will and bequeath the said sum of money to her for-ever.

I also give and bequeath to my daughter Sally Robinson a Negro boy named York and a Negro girl named Cynthia which she now has in her possession.

I give and bequeath to my Executors a Negro boy named Daniel and a Negro girl named Fanny for the use and benefit of my grandchildren, Christopher, Isaac, James, Lucy, Betsy and Jane Williams, children of my daughter Jen ny Williams, dec. and until Jane Williams the youngest, arrives to the age of eighteen, at which time the said Negroes Daniel and Fanny with her off spring, if any, or their value shall be equally divided amongst my above named grandchildren, Christop her, Isaac, James, Lucy, Betsy and Jane Williams, or the survivors of them.

I give and bequeath to my Executors a Negro boy named Isham and a Negro girl named Dilsy for the use and benefit of my grandchildren Jane, Betsy, John and Polly Ann Bostick, children of my d'~ daughter Nancy Bostick, until Polly Ann Bostick the youngest, arises to the age of eighteen at which time the said Negroes Isham and Dilsy, with her off spring, if any, or their value shall be equally divided amongst my above men-tioned grandchildren, Jane, Betsy, John and Poll y Arm Bostick, children of my d'd daughter Nancy Bostick, or the survivors among them.

I also give and bequeath to my Executors one hundred dollars for the use and benefit of my grandson Stephen Robinson, son of my son Edward Robinson d'd. to be raised out of my personal property and paid by my Executors over to the said Stephen when he arises to the age of twenty one, but if the said Stephen fails to make application to my executors within four years after, the said sum of one hundred dollars to be paid over to my grandson Christopher C. Robinson.

The rest, residue or remainder of my estate including blacksmith tools, and a pair of mill stone to be sold, at twelve months credit and equally divided among my heirs, except such part as would under this provision fall to my grandchildren Christophe r, Isaac, James, Lucy, Betsy and Jane Williams and Jane, Betsy, John and Polly Ann Bostick, children or my two d'd daughters Jenny Williams and Nancy Bostick, which shall rest in my Executors under the same rules and restrictions and at the same time as t he special legacies by me to them given.

I here-by appoint Moses Robinson and John B. Forrester as Executors to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 11th day of March one thou sand eight hundred and twenty eight.

Stephen Robinson

Signed, sealed and published and declared by the above named Stephen Robinson Sr. to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, who have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the Testator.

Samuel Caplinger
John Kelly
John B. Forrester
State of Tennessee
Smith County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions at August Term 1835.

Then the executors of the last will and testament of Stephen Robinson was dully proven in open court by the oath of Samuel Caplinger and John Kelly, subscribing witnesses thereto, and on the motion ordered to be recorded.

Jonathan Pickett, Clk.
Smith County Court.

NOTE: At the time this will was made the property mentioned was in Smith County. When DeKalb County was formed in 1838, it fell in DeKalb County.

Tom Simpson
8101 Antioch Ch Rd W
Lenior City, TN 37772
E-Mail Tom Simpson

MY LINE OF DESCENT

George Robinson (1775 - Aft. 1850) and wife Milly Williams
Jonas Robinson (1807 - 1856) and wife Francis "Fannie" Hinsley
Frances Robinson (1849-1918) and husband John Riley Carder
Amanda Carder (1865 - 1944) and husband James Simpson
Robert Simpson (1886 - 1979) and wife Nettie Page
James Simpson and wife Elizabeth Banks
Tom Simpson


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