Will Book __, Page 261
Proven: Apr. 2nd, 1860

I John Harlan do hereby make and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

First. I will and bequeath that my just debts be paid in the manner hereafter to be specified.

Secondly. I will and bequeath that a tract of land that I own purchased at a sale of John Groves, dec’d, owned by Groves in his lifetime and sold to pay his debts, containing about 81 acres, adjoining the old Groves farms be sold and the proceeds of said sale be equallly divided amongst all my children.

3rd. I will and bequeath to my son Thomas Harlan my Bunker Hill farm containing about 300 acres, said Thomas to pay my daughter Rachael $300.00.

4th. I will and bequeath to my daughter Rachael the above sum of $300.00 to be paid to her by Thomas, I also will and bequeath to the said Rachael my negro boy Jake.

I further will to Rachael, if she should marry, an equal amount of property to go to housekeeping with that I have already given my other daughters, Elizabeth and Matilda.

And my wife Tabitha is to determine the articles they received, and in the event my daughter Rachael should never marry, she shall have a house free of charge upon the old home farm and at my family residence.

I will and bequeath unto my daughter Matilda who intermarried with Joshua Smith, in addition to what she has received, $300.00, to be raised in the manner hereafter specified.

I will and bequeath to my wife Tabitha a comfortable support during her natural life, to be raised in the manner hereafter specified.

My wife Tabitha is also to have control of my dwelling house as long as my son Cornelius should remain single.

And if my son Cornelius should marry then my wife is to have during her natural life, choice of rooms in my house, together with a room to cook in and out houses necessary to make her comfortable.

I will and bequeath to my son Cornelius all the balance of my land, together with my two slaves Henry and Malvina, all my farming utensils, house-hold and kitching furniture, all my stock, my notes and accounts,

but my son Cornelius is charged with the following payments: He is to pay all my just debts of every description; he is to pay my daughter Matilda Smith $300.00. He is also to pay my daughter Mary Eliza $800.00 when she marries or becomes 21 years of age.

My said son Cornelius is to raise and educate my daughter Mary Eliza and furnish her a comfortable home as long as she remains single.

The said Cornelius is also to provide my daughter Rachael with a home at the old homestead as long as she remains single, free from charge, furnish her and her sister with a horse to go to church, and Cornelius is also to furnish Rachael with the same amount of articles to go to housekeeping with that I gave my other daughters, Matilda and Elizabeth in the event she should marry.

My son Cornelius is also to furnish my wife Tabitha with a comfortable support as long as she lives. She is to have control of the dwelling house as long as Cornelius remains single.

Should he marry, then my wife is to select what room or rooms she may desire in the homestead with any out buildings she may desire.

The above named real estate so bequeathed to my son Cornelius is charged with the payment of the above bequests, and my son Cornelius is also to have my blacksmith tools, together with all my personal property not herein disposed of.

I will and bequeath to my daughter Mary Eliza in addition to the expenses she may incur upon my son Cornelius in raising, the following slaves and their increase to wit: John, Julia and her child Sudy and Ben, and the sum of $800.00 when she marries or becomes 21 years of age, which my son Cornelius is to pay her. She is also to have a home at the old homestead as long as she remains single.

My son Cornelius is to support said slaves and their increase and have the use of them until Mary Eliza marries or becomes 21.

Cornelius is also to provide my wife with a good, gentle saddle horse as long as she lives.

I hereby appoint my son Cornelius Executor of this my last Will and Testament with full power to sell the tract of land bequeathed by me to be sold, dividing the proceeds equally among all my children…

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal This the 24th day of February, 1860.

John Harlan (seal)

Signed and sealed in our presence, and we have subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the Testator.

A. Carmichael
C. C. Sensabaugh

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