Will Book __, Page 149

In the Name of God, Amen.

I Thomas Dodson of the County of Hawkins & State of Tennessee, being weak & sick in body but of sound mind and disposing memory, calling to mind the mortality of my body do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in form and manner following. That is to say.

First. I give my soul into the hands of God, and my body I resign to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named, and as to touching my worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me, I give and dispose of in the following manner.

First. I will that my loving wife Jamima Dodson possess & enjoy my whole Estate both real and personal, in this wise.

She, my s’d loving wife Jamima is to raise and bring up my children hereinafter named in the best manner that her ability will admit, she my s’d wife Jamima being hereby empowered to lay out so much of my Estate in schooling and educating all my children as shall be sufficient to answer s’d purpose,

and also my…wife with my Executors is hereby empowered to collect and receive all money due me on bonds, notes of hand or otherwise; also to sell any such personal property as she and my Executors shall think proper &c.

And further, I will that my s’d wife have hold, possess & enjoy my whole Estate both real & personal until my youngest child arrives at the age of twenty one years,

except my s’d wife Jamima should marry before that time, and if that be the case, and should my Estate appear to be wasting and destroying, my Executors to take charge until my youngest child Rolly arrives at the age of twenty one years at which time legal division be made of my whole Estate, both real and personal between my wife and four children, viz: James, Sarah, Elisha and Rolly Dodson

and further, if Thomas Robinson and John Robinson live and abide with my wife and behave orderly and well until they are twenty one years of age, then each of them is to have a horse and saddle with $100.00 out of my Estate.

And further, I appoint my loving wife Jamima my lawful Executrix and James Johnson & Samuel Riggs my Executors of this my last Will and Testament.

Thomas [X] Dodson (seal) (his mark)

Signed, sealed, published & declared by the said Thomas Dodson as his last Will & Testament, in presence of,

James Dodson
Richard Hellson
Richard Roberson, Jurat

This Hawkins County Will was transcribed by one of the following volunteers:  Audrae Mathis; Gary Fletcher; Betty Mize; Diana Arney; Karen Negron, Kathey Welder.