Will Book __, Page 74
April 23, 1860

I, Wesley Ball, do make this as my last will and testament, revoking and making void all former wills at any time by me made.

First. I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any money that I may die possessed of, or that may first come into the hands of my Executor herein to be appointed.

Secondly. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane Ball two good beds and clothes &c that should belong to them, table, knives & forks, cooking utensils and all other furniture of my house that would be necessary for housekeeping. I will and bequeath that my Executor pay to her, my said wife, $100.00 cash. I will that my wife shall have one horse, saddle and bridle, her choice, and that she shall enjoy and keep possession of my house that I now live in as her own during her life or widowhood, but at her death or marriage, the house is to belong to my son S. H. Ball, of whom I will hereafter speak. My will and desire is that my wife shall have one choice cow, and if she chooses, five sheep, three or four hogs.

I will and bequeath unto my son John Ball all the land he lives on, it being the land I bought of John Ball, Sr., also all the place at the forks of the road called The Old Voting Ground where he — John — now has his store and I purchased of D. Bailey.

I will and bequeath unto my son Spencer B. Ball all of my home place extending to the top of the mountain each side, even with the lower and upper end, to have full possession of my house after the death or marriage of my wife, but to have full control of all the lands and out buildings when this will takes effect.

I will and bequeath unto my daughter N. Lucas, formerly Nancy Ball all of the place she lives on and to the mountain top each way as described in the piece I gave Spencer.

My will and desire is that my daughter Patsy who married Jacob Morelock and now resides in the state of Missouri shall have paid to her for the use of her and her own children by my Executors, $600.00 cash.

I will and bequeath unto my daughter Polly and her husband Jonathan Bernard all the tract of land that John Smith now lives on which land I bought of John Bernard and all of the land adjoining the same on the side of Bay’s Mountain to the top of the same, and in addition to this land I desire my daughter Polly Bernard to have paid to her by my Executors $500.00 which I think will make her equal with her sister Nancy Lucas.

I will and desire that my son John Ball, owing to his place in my opinion being an over share, shall pay to me or my Estate $200.00, and that my son Spencer H. Ball in like manner pay $500.00.

I further enjoin upon my two sons John & Spencer to support my wife with a decent support during her life or widowhood, the expense to be born in equal proportions with both. This I do because their lands are valuable and hence they should support my wife.

And finally, all other property personal and real, debts, money and every species, shall be sold and collected by my Executors, and equally divided among my five children or their heirs.

I do hereby nominate and appoint my two sons Spencer H. Ball & John Ball my Executors of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I do to this my will set my hand and seal. This 23rd Day of April, 1860.

Wesley [X] Ball (his mark)

Signed, sealed and published in our presence, and we have subscribed our names hereto in the presence of the Testator. This 23rd Day of April, 1860.

Jacob Miller
David Bailey

State of Tennessee )
I James R. Pace, Clerk of the County Hawkins County )
Court of said county do hereby certify )
that the foregoing is a true and perfect copy of the last will and testament of Wesley Ball Dec’d. now on file in my office, this the 2nd day of February,1863. Jas. R. Pace, clerk

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