Will Book __, Page 23
Proven: Sept. 3, 1860
(Rec’d page 392)

Hawkins County, State of Tennessee

I, William Armstrong, considering the uncertainty of this life, and being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say):

1st. I give and bequeath to my son Henry C. Armstrong a negro slave named Moses, which I consider worth Four Hundred Dollars.

2nd. I will and bequeath to my daughter Mary E. Powel, wife of Sam’l Powel two negro slaves named Rhoda and Riceton which I consider worth Four Hundred Dollars, also one town lot in Rogersville — said lot conveyed to me by William Dick Alexander as a trustee of James Bradley: also the Military Land Warrants containing 120 acres. (The town lot and Land Warrants I consider worth Three Hundred Dollars). The above bequest amounting to Eleven Hundred Dollars.

In addition to those bequests I have paid to my daughter Mary E. Powel and her husband Samuel Powel $1,550.00, all of said payments amounting to $2,600.00 they have received from me.

I further will that the further sum of $1,850.00 be paid to Mary E. Powel before or after my death.

4th. I will and bequeath to my son William L. Armstrong, one negro slave, David, my land lying and being in the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, on the north side of Holston River, in 8th Civil District. I divide in the following manner (to wit): Beginning on a small willow box elder and sycamore on the Holston River at low water mark, running thence about eighty-two and one-half degrees, west seventy poles to a small double sweet gum at the foot of the rise of the bottom: thence north 10 west twenty poles to a maple at the foot of a stony bottom; thence north seventy-two (a) half. West sixty-eight poles to a mulberry, the upper side of the old orchard field. Then south fifty, west sixteen to a sycamore at the creek back of the old stable. Thence north to west up the creek as it meanders one hundred and twenty poles to a large, flat rock in said creek about three poles below where the sawmill dam now is. Thence north forty-two degrees and east twenty-seven poles to a white oak oak corner of the N. Providence Church lot. Thence along the south west end of said church lot to a black oak corner of same, it also being the corner of the teacher’s lot. Then along the line of the teacher’s residence lot to a small ironwood sapling near the creek corner of said lot; thence north seventy-eight, west forty-six poles to a stake. Thence north 73, west 92 poles to a poplar near the spring known as Wolf Spring. Thence north 48, west 73 poles to a stake in the branch (Larkin‘s Branch) west of where an old cabin now stands. Thence 65 west of Larkin’s Branch, 74 poles to a poplar and beach corner — corner of a tract of land formerly owned by my father, a part of which was sold to Baker Armstrong. The above described line I make to divide my land, making two tracts of the same. My tract of land I dispose of in the following manner:

1st. I consider my land worth $12,000.00 and I give and bequeath to my son Harry C. Armstrong $4,000.00 which sum he has already received of me when he started and moved to Missouri. This amount I consider due him for his interest in my land.

2nd. I give and bequeath to my son Alfred Armstrong, his heirs and assigns, all that part of my land north and east of the dividing line adjoining and bounded by the lands of the heirs of Baker Armstrong, dec’d., Dr. Robert Johnson and the heirs of William Bradley, dec’d., along the lines of same to a black walnut on the river bank and two sycamores corner of William Bradley‘s heirs and my corner at low water mark. Thence down the Holston River to the willow box elder and sycamores (beginning of the dividing line), him to have and to hold with all appurtenances thereto belonging &c, with this incumbrance. The said Alfred Armstrong is to pay me or my Executor $1,500.00 toward my son Henry‘s interest in my land, $1,278.00 of which he has paid to me as will appear from my receipt to him.

The other part of my land I give and bequeath to my wife Mary Armstrong, with all its appurtenances thereto belonging, or in anywise appertaining, during her natural life.

At her death, I will and bequeath the same to my son, William L. Armstrong, the lands being bounded as follows, to wit: By the dividing line before mentioned, thence along my lines to the corner between the heirs of Baker Armstrong and Dock Larkins. Thence with said Larkins to John Young‘s. Thence along said Young‘s to Wm Lyon‘s. Along his to Conrad Fudge’s lines. Thence to Surgoin‘s and others to David Lyon‘s; along his to Wesley A. Phills‘ line to his ash and Lyon‘s corner on the Holston River; thence to low water mark. Thence up the river to the willow box elder and sycamore near low water mark, the beginning corner of the dividing line.

To my son William L. Armstrong, I bequeath the same to him to have and to hold with all the appurtenances threunto belonging, to him and his heirs and assigns subject to the encumbrance — that he pay me or my Executors the sum of $2,500.00, that being the amount I paid for him to my son Henry for his interest in my land.

I give and bequeath to my wife Mary Armstrong my negro slaves not otherwise herein disposed of, namely (to wit): Stephen, Betty, Jefferson, Arthur and Sidney and her three children, Harriet, Lousanna and Jane — her to have and to hold them during her lifetime, and at her death I will that they be divided among all my heirs — my son Alfred L. Armstrong to have Jefferson, my son William L. Armstrong [to have] Stephen, Betty & Arthur. I allow my wife Mary Armstrong to divide Sidney and her children in the way and manner she may think best.

It is my will that my two old servants Stephen & Betty be well provided for and made comfortable while they live.

I give unto my wife Mary Armstrong what money I have — notes & other evidence of debt, all my stock consisting of horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep; also all my farming utensils, household and kitchen furniture, her to have and hold the same and to be at her disposal in any manner she may see proper, she being responsible for the payment of all my just debts, funeral expenses and all other necessary and contingent expenses.

The division is as follows: I consider all my land worth $12,000.00. I divide my land between my two sons Alfred and William L. Armstrong — they to pay me $4,000.00 which sum I paid to my son H. C. Armstrong when he moved to Missouri which will appear from his receipt to me for the same, bearing date the [illegible]. To my son, H. C. Armstrong, in money and negro, $4,400.00. To my son Alfred Armstrong in land and negro, $4,400.00. To my daughter Mary E. Powel two negroes and sundry other [illegible] made and to be paid, $4,400.00. To my son William L. Armstrong, land and negro, $4,400.00.

The rest of my property, if any, I wish divided equally among all my legatees.

I hereby appoint my wife Mary Armstrong my Executrix and my son Alfred Armstrong my Executor of this my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixtenth day of February, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty.

Wm. Armstrong

Witnesses thereunto:

Jesse M. Lyons
Jos. B. Galbraith

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