Will Book 2, Pages 180-182

Filed and Proven: July Term, 1878

I, James D. Bloomer a citizen of Hawkins County and State of Tennessee being in feeble health but of sound disposing mind calling to mind the uncertainty of life on the wise but inscrutable dealings of Divine Providence with the children of men are admonished to make such a disposition of my property as will be wise and proper and to this end I will my soul at death to a merciful God who gave it and my body to the earth from whence it came.

I hereby bequeath to my two daughters after my death to wit:

Lucy Jane and Nancy Bloomer the following tract or parcel of land including the house and buildings where I now reside and the barn and all other buildings contained within said boundaries.

Beginning on a black walnut on the north east corner of my place it being the beginning corner on a conditional line made and established between John Doyle [?] and myself and beginning with the same down the valley in nearly west course to a black walnut situated on the west side of the main road leading from Rogersville to Jonesville, VA on the top of a large rock near the sites of the old saw mill from thence along said road to a oak on the east side of said road near the barn where I now reside, from thence in a straight line in a easterly course to the highest point on the tip of Pine Ridge in front of my house and from thence along the highest part of said Pine Ridge to the eastern line of said place and from thence along the line of my land to the beginning.

I will and bequeath the aforesaid mentioned tract of land to my two daughters aforesaid and their heirs in fee simple subject alone to the conditions hereinafter named in equal shares. Each to have and enjoy equal privileges in and to the same and to all the buildings on the same and should either of them hereafter determine to sell her undivided share to said land she is to first give the refusal of the same to her sister and in case said sister refuses to become the purchaser then and in that case the refusal is to be given to my son Thomas Bloomer and in case both should desire to sell they are if they see proper to give the refusal to my son, Thomas Bloomer.

I hereby will and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah, wife of Elkana Snapp the sum of fifteen dollars to be paid in the following manner after my death to wit: each of my daughters Lucy Jane and Nancy Bloomer are to pay five dollars and my son Thomas Bloomer is to pay five dollars to my said daughter Sarah.

I hereby will and bequeath to Maggie and Nellie Snapp my grandchildren the offspring of my daughter Mary and C. A. Snapp the sum of five dollars each to be paid them on equal parts by my daughters Lacy [as transcribed] Jane and Nancy and my son Thomas Bloomer when they come of age.

I hereby will and bequeath to my son, Thomas Bloomer at my death the balance of the land of which I am seized an possessed and to him and his heirs not otherwise disposed of in this my last will and testament except twelve and three quarters acres which I have this date sold and conveyed to Christian Bloomer and for which I have executed deed in fee simple.

The household property claimed by each of my daughters Lucy Jane and Nancy Bloomer as well as that claimed by my beloved wife Margaret Bloomer is hereby confirmed and is to be theirs to use and dispose of as they see proper.

The bay gelding is to be the property of my daughter Nancy at my death and the bay mare is to be fore the use of my wife and my said daughter Lucy Jane and Nancy.

The bay stallion of which I am possessed is to be sold on one and two years credit the purchaser giving good and sufficient bond and security for the payment of the purchase money.

All Debts in anywise due me or which may become due my estate hereafter by the sale of the stallion aforesaid are to be collected as soon as possible or as soon at they become due.

And the same is to be a fund in the hands of my personal representative to pay and liquidate all just debts owing by me, and should there be a surplus left after paying said debts the same is to go to my said wife Margaret and daughter Lucy Jane and Nancy.

But in case the debts due me does not pay out the debts and expenses held against me then and in the case the balance found due and paid is to be liquidated as follows to wit:

My son Thomas is to pay two thirds of said residue and my daughters Lucy Jane and Nancy equally between them.

All cows and cattle, Hogs, Sheep and bees of which I am possessed are to go and belong to my wife Margaret and two daughters Lucy Jane and Nancy and to be used by them for their own benefit.

It is my will that my beloved wife Margaret should have her house and habitation in the house in which I now reside and that the land hereby bequeathed shall serve to her and her benefit during her lifetime and them the bequests herein provided for as affecting my daughters Lucy Jane and Nancy and my son, Thomas Bloomer shall become absolute according to the terms of this testament.

My daughters Lucy Jane and Nancy are to reside in the house heretofore bequeathed to them during the lifetime of my wife and to be equal beneficiaries in the production of the land hereby bequeathed during said term of life aforesaid and my son Thomas Bloomer is to reside on the land bequeathed to him during the natural life of my wife to manage and farm the same during the term of said life when the bequest to him will become absolute.

I hereby nominate and appoint my son Thomas Bloomer to be the Administrator to this my last Will and testament and to see that the provisions therein contained are carried out and to that end having implicit confidence in his honesty and integrity he is not to be required to give bond and security as such Administrator

and I hereby ordain and establish the foregoing to be my last will and testament.

And in witness whereof, I hereby [illegible] my hand and affix my seal this 5th day of June 1878.

James D. Bloomer (Seal)

Witnesses:

Christian Bloomer
William H. Barner

This Hawkins County Will was transcribed by Betty Mize.