Will Book __, Page 18
Proven: Sept., 1857

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, William Altom of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament. That is to say:

First. After all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate I give and bequeath as follows, to wit:

To my beloved wife, the land and appurtenances on which I now live during her natural life, and to have the rents and proffits on the land on the east end of s’d lands to a cross fence running from the back of Cloud‘s Creek north toward Stone Mountain, on the east side of my son John‘s house in which he now lives. Together with fifty dollars cash and all my household and kitchen furniture which I may die in possession of — one red cow with a white face and her calf and one brindle heifer, one white spotted sow and four chaised hogs, also all the corn, bacon and wheat that I now have on hand.

Secondly. I give to my son John the west end of my farm after the death of my beloved wife, running north and south crossing Cloud‘s Creek, a straight line with a cross fence east of son John’s house in which he now lives, above fifty or sixty yards of said house, to have possession of said lot of land now free from rents but the not [as transcribed] to be invested in him until after the death of my wife, then to have title to said lot of land.

Thirdly. My will is that after the death of my wife the remainder of my land to be sold and the proceeds arising from sale of said lands to be equally divided between my two daughters (to wit): Mary Elkins and Sarah Carpenter share and share alike.

Fourth. I give and bequeath to my grandson John Carpenter my brown colt in which I am now in possession.

Fifth. My will is that if it should be the will of the Almighty God to call me from the walks of society before the crop to which I now have on hand, my will is that the balance of my personal property be sold at public sale but not to be sold until the present crop is made and the proceds arising from said sale be equally divided between wife wife and three children, share and share alike.

Likewise, I make, constitute and appoint my son John Altom and S. D. Brooks to be my Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I may hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal. Ths 29th day of May in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-seven.

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

The above written instrument was subscribed by the said Wm. Altom in our Presence, and acknowledged by him to each of us, and he at the same time published and declared the above instrument so subscribed to be his last Will and Testament, and we at the Testator’s request and in his presence have signed our names as witnesses hereto.

R. M. Bishop
Thomas Everhart

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