Will Book __, Page 4

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, John Armstrong, of Hawkins County and State of Tennessee, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. (That is to say):

First. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane Armstrong my plantation in Carter’s Valley, together with all my stock of every kind — farming utensils and household furniture, deducting and reserving what is hereafter specified, likewise both my negro women Catt & Sall, and my negro fellow Spencer to be enjoyed by her during her natural life.

I will and bequeath unto my daughter Jane Armstrong my negro woman named Sall, the eldest, to be freely possessed and enjoyed by her and her heirs forever.

To my son Thomas Armstrong, I will and bequeath my negro man Minor to be freely possessed by him and his heirs forever.

To my son John Armstrong, I will and bequeath my negro girl name Aggy, to be freely possessed and enjoyed by him and his heirs forever.

To my daughter Annes Baker, I will and bequeath my negro girl named Milly, to be freely possessed and enjoyed by her and her heirs forever.

To my daughter Mary Armstrong, a single woman, I will and bequeath my negro woman Nancy and her increase, to be freely possessed and enjoyed by her and the heirs of her body forever, and also a good horse and saddle, a bed and bedding, household furniture, two cows and calves, a sow and pigs, to be freely possessed by her and her heirs forever.

And my will and desire is that my wife Jane may, if she chooses, sell my plantation and all my personal estate in her possession, reserving for herself such part of said personal property as she may think convenient for her use and necessity, and live with any of her children that she may think proper, and at her decease, it is my will and meaning that Spencer shall belong to my son Baker and also that Jesse and Sal shall belong to my son John Armstrong forever.

And likewise, my will and meaning is that at my wife’s death the residue or remainder of the amount of the sale of said plantation, personal estate, money and debts shall be equally divided between all my children,

and I hereby appoint my son Thomas Armstrong and John Young Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this (blank space) day of (blank space), in the Year of our Lord, (blank space).

(blank space) (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named John Armstrong to be his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us who at this request and in his presence have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the same.

An Article of Agreement made and concluded on between the wife and Legatees of John Armstrong, dec’d, though not witnessed nor signed by him, the said John Armstrong, dec’d,

but the wife and Legatees from different reasons believing it to be his will and desire that his estate should be divided in the manner and form prescribed by said will,

and we the parties doth mutually agree to abide and stand by the said will, and that we and each of us will appear at our next County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions on the fourth Monday of May next and give our consent to have the said will recorded,

and that we the under-named subscribers do ever hereafter the benefit of any other will as the laws of our country respecting the said estate of the said John Armstrong, Dec’d.,

and for the true performance we and each of us do bind ourselves, our heirs &c in the penal sum of One Thousand Dollars, as witness our hands and seals. This 17th day of April, 1813.

Test.

John Young
Jean [X] Armstrong (her mark)
Jas. Armstrong (seal)
Thomas Armstrong (seal)
Wm. Armstrong (seal)
B. Armstrong (seal)
John Armstrong (seal)
Sam’l Armstrong (seal)
James Armstrong (seal)

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