Book 2, Pages 156-158
Filed: December 15, 1875

State of Tennessee — Hawkins County — August 21, 1875

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, Frances Boyles being perfectly sound of mind and fully competent mentally to direct my own business affairs but considering the present frail condition of my health and the certainty of death at ___ distant day ____ do make, declare and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void any and all former will or wills of whatsoever description.

I desire and direct that after my death, I be buried in a quiet, decent and Christian manner on the hills here on the east end of the farm where there are already some graves, that my funeral expenses to be promptly paid as hereinafter provided.

And my property real and personal to be divided as follows.

I give and bequeath to my beloved son John A. Boyles my two bibles, my trunk, my safe, a bed and full set of bed clothing and four chairs.

I also give and bequeath to my son John A. Boyles one half of my land whereon I now live to be held and enjoyed by him during his lifetime for the full use and benefit of himself and present family and in order to make some equitable provision for her daughter, Susan Levinia Boyles,

I hereby provide and make a special provision of the will and this bequest that at John‘s death, should she the said Susan Levinia Boyles be still living the land and the appurtenances thereunto to go to her the said Susan Levinia Boyles, otherwise should John live longer or survive her I direct that the property go to John‘s children within any other distinction there that of his legal heirs.

The land intended to be given unto John‘s possession by this bequest in known as the east side or end of the place where I now live and for more particular description is known as lot number 1 as surveyed May 2, 1870 by William (Gamble ?) and is bounded as follows: beginning on a large white oak north of the spring James White‘s corner (but Mrs. Dunlap‘s corner) then N 52 E 42 poles to a hickory and white oak his corner N 52 west 10 poles to Cyrus his corner N 63 E 48 poles to a chestnut oak Manis corner then S 40 E 79 to a small red oak and dogwood on the south side of the Ferry Road his corner, S 9 E 111 poles to a white oak Flora‘s corner then S 2 W 12 poles to a white oak and dogwood Chesnutt corner then S 73 1/2 W 49 poles to a stake and pointers in his line then N 22 W 103 to a chestnut on the north side of the Ferry Road then N 45 W 64 poles to the beginning containing 76 acres be the same more or less.

I give and bequeath to my beloved son Norris Williams who lives in Pike County, Illinois the other remaining or ___ portion of this farm known as the Gamble (?) survey of May 2, 1870 and which is more particularly described in said survey as Lot Number 2 but I have since that survey sold a portion of that half of the farm to Mr. Drew White who now lives on the same, it is therefore my desire to carry out the original intention of giving Norris Williams the proceeds of said Lot Number 2 or one half of this land except the amount of one hundred dollars which I ___ out of this fund to be given as I will hereinafter direct to my granddaughter Mary Isabell Myers.

I also give and bequeath to Norris Williams one hundred and thirty nine dollars (the thirty nine dollars being the principle and interest on twenty dollars bound to me by heirs in 1869).

In consideration of the sale of a part of the land intended by this bequest to be given to Norris Williams.I hereby direct that the executors of this will hereinafter to be nominated and he is directed to collect the notes given by Drew White for the purchase of said land and after my death and giving due notice by advertisement publicly made he proceed to sell the remaining portion of the land on credit of twelve months if he thinks but to do so or for case in hand if be best for the interest of said Norris Williams and to pay over the money to Norris except one hundred dollars which one hundred dollars I direct to be put unto the hands of some safe solvent person, who shall give good security for the same at such interest as will be of benefit to my granddaughter Mary Isabell Myers, which I direct shall be paid to her Mary Isabell Myers when she shall become twenty one years old or shall marry.

I further desire and so direct the executors of this will after giving to John the promised property mentioned heretofore that all other of my personal property of every description consisting of horse, a waggen, cow and calf household and kitchen furniture, in a word all the balance of my personal property be sold on a credit of twelve months

and after paying the bequest herein before made, my funeral expenses and debt are debts by me justly owing or due and unpaid than the remainder if any thereto to be equally divided share and share alike between the legatees, John A. Boyles, Norris Williams, Mary Isabell Myers and Susan Levinia Boyles.

I further request nominate and appoint my neighbor James White in whereof I have full confidence to execute and carry out the provisions of this my last will and testament.

In testimony of which witness my hand and seal in the presence of attesting.

Frances [X] Boyles (his mark) (seal)

AttestAugust 21st, 1875:

Hugh W. Russell
James H. White

Transcribed by Betty Mize