Book 2, Page 6

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I John Armstrong of the County of Hawkins, State of Tennessee, being of sound and disposing mind and memory and in perfect health but considering the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do make publish and declare the following to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me made at any time heretofore.

First – It is my will and desire that my Executor hereinafter named shall pay all my just debts and my funeral expenses out of the first monies that may come into his hands.

Secondly – To my will beloved son James G. Armstrong I give and bequeath my two plantations adjoining each other on one of which I now live and which contains ______ two hundred and twenty two acres be the same more or less together with the tenements and _______ hereunto belonging or appertaining to him and his heirs forever.

I further give and bequeath to my said son James a good substantial riding horse that may be on hand at the time of my death and also all my farming utensils.

Thirdly – To my well beloved daughter Priscilla Huntsman wife of George W. Huntsman I give and bequeath all the lands to which I have any claim or title that lies in Poor Valley in Hawkins County on both sides of Poor Valley Creek and between the Stone and Clinch Mountains and on which George W. Huntsman and my said daughter Priscilla now live with the ______and appurtenances thereunto belonging.

I also give and bequeath to my said daughter Priscilla two hundred dollars to be paid her by my Executor and of the proceeds of my property.

Fourthly – To my well beloved daughters Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann and Minerva I give and bequeath my negro man John and my negro woman Malinda and her two children Jessee and Mary together with their increase and it is my will and desire that so long as my four daughters shall live together and with my son James on the Plantation where I now live that said negros above mentioned shall be subject to _____ control in confirmation with my said daughters. But if either of my said daughters should desire a division of said negros above mentioned, it is my will and desire that they with their increase shall be equally divided between them share and share alike so that they may hold them in severalty.

It is further my will and desire that each of my four said daughters to wit: Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann and Minerva shall have a good substantial riding horse, cow and calf and of the stock on hand and of equal value and if in the opinion of my Executor there should not be on hand a good riding horse for each of them It is my will and desire that my said Executor shall purchase or may be necessary so that each of them may be furnished with a good substantial riding horse as above set forth.

It is further my will and desire that my said four daughters shall each have a good cow and calf or the value thereof as above stated.

Fifthly – It is my will and desire that all my household and kitchen furniture shall be equally divided between my son and James and my four daughters Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann and Minerva share and share alike and that all the remainder of my estate not heretofore disposed of shall be reduced to cash by my Executor and that the same together with any money not otherwise disposed of shall be equally divided between all my children share and share alike.

Lastly – I do hereby nominate and appoint my ____ George R. Powel, son James my Executors of this my last will and testament this 8th day of February 1856.

John Armstrong (seal)

Signed, sealed and acknowledge in the presence of us on date mentioned.

James N. Goulds
John J. Hayter
Robert A. Houndshell

Transcribed by Betty Mize