Will Book __, Page 85
July 1, 1808
Proven: Nov. 28, 1807 [sic]

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, Jacob Cox, of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being weak of body but of perfect mind, do make, constitute and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner, to wit (Viz):

Item. It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid. It is my will and desire that my loving wife Mary Cox shall have my black mare called Cate without any legence

It is my wish, my will and desire that the tract of land whereon I now live shall be divided in the following manner (Viz):That my loving wife Mary Cox shall have the one third part her lifetime and the remaing two thirds to be equally divided between my loving children hereafter named.

It is my will and desire that all my other lands shall be equally divided between my three sons, to wit: John, Witner and Pharoah, by three dis-interested men.

It is my will and desire that all my personal estate and household furniture shall be equally divided between my loving wife and loving children hereafter named as they becomes of age if they stand in need of it, to be valued by three dis-interested men and delivered to my loving wife Mary and loving children: Lucy, Betsy, John, Polly, Witner, Pharoah, Nancy and Emmaline.

It is my will and desire that if there is more stock than will be considered for use of the place it shall be sold as they think proper.

It is my will and desire that my loving children shall be educated out of the estate as my Executor may think proper. I do make, constitute and ordain Thomas Hopkins my wife, Mary Cox, & Martin Rowler my three lawful Executors of this my last Will and Testament.

Given from under my hand and seal this the twenty-first day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eight.

Jacob Cox (seal)

Test. Continued. Martin Roller

Also, I do will being my desire and having the sane mind and since fore- going was wrote, I have a son that we have named Samuel share equally with my other sons as within mentioned.

My wish is that at the time of a regular division of my personal estate that our daughter Lucy may admit of a credit from a sorrel mare supposed to be worth $100.00.

It is my will and desire that my son John Cox should have a certain horse named Poliear, together with a new saddle, bridle and a rifle gun charged one hundred dollars which will be deducted out of his legacy.

It is also my will and desire that the negroes shall be hired out or kept on the premises as shall be thought best by my Executors and family for the term of ten years, and at the end of said term of ten years for them and their increase to be equally divided amongst my children; nevertheless, it is my will and desire that my dearly beloved wife Mary Cox have her choice of the negroes during her lifetime and then to fall to my children again.

Given from under my hand and seal This 27th June 1809.

Jacob Cox (seal)

Test. Henry A. Hall
Matthew Cleck
Dennis Condray
John Miller
Martin Roller, (J)
Jacob Wills (J)
Presley Buckner

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