Will Book __, Page 16
Proven: December Term, 1855

*** Nuncupative ***

We the undersigned John Bagley & John Templeton, both of Hawkins County — the first named of the age of forty-nine years: the last named of the age of twenty-three years, state that on the first Wednesday in August, 1855, being the first day of said month, we being present at the house of Aaron Anderson who was then lying sick and who being made aware of the probable approach of death, in contemplation of his decease which took place on the Sunday following, said Anderson called upon us to remain with him while the company retired, and when left alone with us, John Begley mentioned to him the subject of death on which he stated he was not afraid to die but was ready to go at any moment.

He then said all the property that he had — land, negroes, and other property — everything he possessed in the world, he wanted Bitha, his wife to have during her life, to dispose of as she pleased.

At the death of his wife he wanted William Stapleton‘s eldest child Solomon Stapleton to have the two fields in the possession of William Stapleton, where said Wm. Stapleton has been tending the last five or six years, and to include with said fields the land from the field to the back line of the tract running with the fence westwardly to the lane that runs by said Anderson‘s house and with said lane from the corner of said field southeastwardly as far as the lane goes. Then the same direction to the back line of the said tract of land on the mountain. He said he thought the said land would make the little boy a right good home if he lived.

He then said that Henry Bart [Hart ?] had lived with him tho’ he said Anderson had raised him pretty much: that he was poor and had for him, said Anderson, [done] many days hard work and that he thought it right to do something for him.

He said he wanted Henry and his two negroes Alfred and Betty to have his land after his wife’s death, and provided the law would allow the negroes to be free and stay on it, but if it would not, they were to belong to his wife, to dispose of as she pleased.

In case the said negroes could not be freed, he said he wanted Henry Hart [Bart ?] to have half the land after his wife’s death to be so divided as give water to each part and his wife to dispose of the balance.

He further said he did not want his people to have a dollar that he had worked for that they had always been against him from the time he was a boy, and that his wife had helped him work for it and he wanted her to have it, and he wanted it fixed so that his people could not trouble her after his death.

He then said this is my will — the way I want my property disposed of after my death. If I have two or three days I will have it put in writing.

At the time of the above, the said Aaron Anderson was in his senses and of sound and disposing mind and memory, in full possession of all his faculties.

In testimony whereof we have hereto set our hands this 13th day of August, 1855.

John Begley
John Templeton

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