Will Book __, Page 346

In the Name of God, Amen.

This the last Will and Testament of William Martin of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee is as followeth, Viz:

He, the said William Martin finding himself weak of body but in perfect mind and memory, Blessed be God therefore, and calling to mind the frailty of this life and the certainty of death, I do ordain and make this my last Will and Testament in form and manner as followeth:

Imprimis. I do recommend my soul unto the hand of God that gave it and my body to the Earth to be interred therein with decent and Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors hereafter to be made.

And as for what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bless me with, all I do will and bequeath in manner and form as followeth, Viz:

Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Lewey Martin all the rest of the whole of my worldly Estate during her natural life.

After her death, then my will is that my land shall be divided between my son in law Ephraim Winstead and my son in law Alexander Trent.

Item. After the decease of my beloved wife, I do give and bequeath to my son in law Ephraim Winstead the upper part of my land and the plantation where I do now live dividing my land and running from the line toward Clinch Mountain along the line between the two springs to the line towards Copper Ridge to him and his forever.

Item. After the decease of my beloved wife whatever remains of my worldly Estate I do give and bequeath to my son in law Ephraim Winstead to his and his heirs forever.

Item. After the decease of my beloved wife, I do give and bequeath to my son in law Alexander Trent the lower part of my land and plantation from the said dividing line where Ephraim Winstead now lives to him and his heirs forever.

Item. At my decease I do give and bequeath to my son in law Alexander Trent one horse creature to him and his heirs forever.

I do ordain and make this to be my last Will and Testament. Also it is my desire that my son in law Ephraim Winstead and my beloved wife shall act for me after my decease in all my worldly concerns.

Witness my hand and seal August 4, 1820.

William [X] Martin (seal) (his mark)

Test:

Francis Winstead
Thomas [X] Martin (his mark)
James Martin

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