Will Book __, Page 44

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, Moses Ball of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being weak in body but being in perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God.

Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this instrument of writing to be my last Will and Testament. That is to say:

First of all, I give and recommend my soul in the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter appointed, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life:

First. I give and bequeath to my son Spencer Ball one dollar out of my estate and no more.

Secondly. I give and bequeath to my son Robb Ball one dollar out of my estate.

Thirdly. I give and devise to my son Bennett Ball a certain parcel of land lying and being between my sons William and Thomas Ball, and from the southern boundary of my land and running northward to where the Beech Creek road runs through my land and no further.

And it is my further will and desire that if my wife Molly shall have the rent of the said land that I have devised to my son Bennett during her natural life for her support.

Fourthly. I give and devise to my grandson Jonathan Ball a certain described parcel of land lying on the north side of the Beech Creek road and lying between the said William and Thomas Ball land and including my apple orchard and running to the northern boundary of my land.

And it is my further will and desire that my Executor after my decease shall rent said parcel of land and orchard and the money or property arising from said rent to pay for the education of my grandson Jonathan Ball.

And it is my further will and desire that my said grandson Jonathan Ball shall have a horse, saddle and bridle out of my Estate.

Fifthly. I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Molly all the residue of my personal estate and money that is owing to me during her natural life.

Sixthly. It is my further will and desire after my wife’s decease, the property — if any — is to be sold, except my wearing clothes, and the plank that is in my loft and my books. The planks to remain where they are, my wearing clothes and books to be divided equally between my children as the can [sic], and the money arising from said sale to be equally divided between my daughters, ______ McDaniel, Nancy Warren, Polly Ball, Sibby Long and Sarah Long‘s children and my grandson Jonathan Ball or their heirs.

There was $32.00 that I paid for William McDaniel in part pay(ment) for said McDaniel’s wagon, $16.00 of that, said William Mcdaniel was to pay John K. Long who married with my daughter Sibby. If John K. Long has received that amount, they are to settle with my executor.

I constitute and appoint my sons Wesley Ball and Thomas Ball my Executors of this my last Will and Testament, to manage my estate, real and personal, as they think best.

I hereby utterly revoke and disannul all and every other former testament, wills, legacies before mentioned, willed…bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I hereeunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth Day of December in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-one.

Moses Ball (seal)

Attest:

Reuben Bernard
John Ball
Jesse Ball
James Tunnell

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