Will Book __, Page 57
October 1, 1842
Proven: May 6, 1845

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, William Bradley, of the County of Hawkins and the State of Tennessee, being advanced in years, but in good health, and of sound mind and memory and understanding do make and ordain and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say:

First: I desire that any just debts which I may owe shall any remain at my decease, be paid by my Executors hereinafter named, out of the money on hand or debts due to my Estate.

Second: To my grand daughter Nancy B. Phipps, the only issue at present born of the marriage between my daughter Louisa and Joshua Phipps, I give and devise the lands I bought of Jacob Felkner and William Armstrong, situated in said County of Hawkins, and also the land lying behind them from the stage road, to have and to hold the same, to the said Nancy B. Phipps, during the term of her natural life, with remainder to her issue in fee simple, if any she should have.

But in the event the said Nancy B. Phipps at any time hereafter shall have any brother or brothers, sister or sisters born, the issue of said marriage of my daughter Louisa and Joshua Phipps, my will and intention is that such after-born issue, if any such there should be, shall take hold and enjoy said lands equally, in all respects with Nancy B. Phipps, to them and the survivor of them and their heirs in fee simple.

And should the said Nancy B. die without issue, and without brother or sister or brothers, sister or sisters…then my will and intention is that said lands shall go to and rest in my son Orville Bradley in fee simple, if living, or to his lawful heirs should he be dead.

And in case my said son should be dead without leaving lawful issue, my will and intention is that said lands shall go to my own lawful and proper heirs, according to the statues of descent of Tennessee.

My will, desire and intention being in relation to the said lands, and also in relation to all the other lands and property hereinafter mentions, that the same and every part thereof remain vested and descend to my own proper heirs and lineal descendants and their issue, as far as practicable, from generation to generation.

I furthermore desire that the said Nancy B. Phipps shall be let into the full possession and enjoyment of the foregoing devise upon her attaining the age of 21.

Third. To my only daughter Louisa Phipps, the wife of Joshua Phipps, I give and devise the lands on which I now live adjoining G. Leeper on the river above and the Felkner place below, including the houses and improvements where I reside; also all my homeplace not included in the foregoing devise of the Felkner Place to the said Nancy B. Phipps, west of the creek on which G. Lyon’s grist mill stands. To have and to hold the same to my said daughter during the term of her natural life, and at the death of my said daughter, Louisa, my will and intentions is that the estate in remainder of said lands shall rest in my grand daughter, the said Nancy B. Phipps, during her natural life, and then in her issue, if any she should have, in fee simple. To have and to hold the same in like manner, and upon the same terms and conditions in all respects as are set forth and specified in the foregoing devise to Nancy B. Phipps; that is to say, in the event there shall be any other issue hereafter born of…Louisa and Joshua Phipps…such after-born issue shall take hold and enjoy said Estate in remainder equally in all respects with Nancy B. Phipps, to them and their heirs forever, and to the survivor of them, and should the said Nancy B. die without issue, and without brothers or sisters, or the lawful issue of such, my will and intention is that…estate in remainder shall go to and rest in my son Orville Bradley and his heirs in fee simple, if living and in case he should be dead…leaving no lawful issue, my will and intention is that the estate in remainder in said lands shall go to and rest in my own lawful and proper heirs according to the statues of descent in Tennessee, in like manner in all respects as provided in the second devise of this my last will and testament.

Fourth. To my son Orville Bradley, I will and devise all the rest and residue of my lands and real estate wheresoever situated, to have and hold…to him and his heirs in fee simple. I also give and bequeath unto my son Orville all the money on hand; also all the notes, bonds, debts and evidences of debt belonging to me on hand at my death, also all my negroes not previously or otherwise disposed (of) or conveyed…by me.

Fifth. All my stock of grain, stock of every kind, household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils and all my other personal property not previously disposed of…except my Pianoforte, shall be divided between my son Orville and my daughter Louisa Phipps in manner following: Two thirds of same I will and bequeath to my son Orville, and the remaining one third to my daughter Louisa Phipps to her sole and separate use with full power and authority to dispose of the same in such manner as she shall deem proper, by gift, deed, will or otherwise.

Sixth. It is my will and desire that should my son Orville die leaving no lawful issue, the negroes above given and bequeathed to him and their increase…shall go to and rest in the said Nancy B. Phipps, it living, or if dead, to her lawful heirs. And should there be any brothers or sisters hereafter born, the issue of Louisa Phipps, such after-born issue shall share said negroes equally with Nancy B. Phipps...

Seventh. I give and bequeath my Pianoforte to Nancy B. Phipps.

Eighth. I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Orville Bradley, and my friend Jesse Lyons Executors of this my last will and testament.

And Lastly. I do revoke and make utterly void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made, declaring this to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal This 1st day of October, 1842.

William Bradley (seal)

Signed, sealed and declared by the said William Bradley as his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto affixed our names as witnesses at this request, and in his presence, the date above written.

J. P. McCarty
Jas. M. Hord
John T. Brice

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