Will Book __, Page 353

I, Christian Messer of Hawkins County and State of Tennessee, being in sound mind and having a desire to dispose of my worldly affairs while I possess a full strength of mind, I constitute this my last Will and Testament.

After committing my body to the dust and my soul to God, I do dispose of my worldly property as follows, to wit:

In the first place, I allow my just debts to be paid. I will and bequeath to my wife Sally Messer her maintenance off the tract of land I now live on during her lifetime.

I will and bequeath to my three sons Jacob, John and Isaac Messer the tract of land I now live on, to be equal divided among them, and I moreover allow my three sons Jacob, John and Isaac within twelve months after my decease to pay to each of my other children the sum of five dollars.

I also allow my movable property and stock to be sold and equally divided amongst the hole of my children.

And I do empower William Young, Stanwic Hord, and Samuel McFeeters, Jr. my executors of this my last Will & Testament.

Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one.

Christian [X] Messer (seal) (his mark)

Signed and sealed in the presence of:

James Young
Jacob Derick
John Derick AB

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