Will Book __, Page 106

In the Name of God, Amen. I, John Chester of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory and calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to die, so make and ordain this my last will and testament.

In the first place, it is my will that my beloved wife Mary have and enjoy all my estate both real and personal as long as she continues to be my widow, to dispose of as she may think best, and to sell off any part to pay my debts.

Only it is my desire that my old mare be kept by her as long as she should live.

If my wife Mary should marry, it is my will that she should have my negro girl Sarah, one cow, my old mare and one bed and bedding, some household and kitchen furniture, and at her death my negro girl named Sarah and all the property to return to my children to be divided as hereafter expressed.

Item. It is my will that at the death or marriage of my beloved wife, that all my real or personal Estate be equally divided between my children after deducting from each one’s share the amount they have severally rec’d from me, according to my account against each.

Item. It is my will that my negroes that may remain at the death of marriage of my wife, after the payment of my debts, remain in the family and be not sold, and if my children cannot agree among themselves as to the division of them, let them be valued by three dis-interested men of their own or my Executor’s choosing, and whoever of my children they may fall to, let him or them pay to the other their part of the valuation.

Item. It is my will that my shop tools be valued with my negro man Dick, and let them go to my children with him.

Item. It is my will that the part of my Estate that may fall to my daughter Elizabeth Roberts, at the marriage or decease of her mother, should be kept by my Executors for the use and benefit of my daughter and her children to be given to them as they may need it, at the discretion of my Executors.

Item. It is my will that my daughter Catherine and my son Archibald be raised, clothed and schooled out of my Estate without charge as long as they stay with their mother, and at her death or marriage, go receive (an equal share) of my estate as their other brothers and sisters.

I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons Sam’l G. Chester and John K. Chester Executors of this my last Will and Testament not requiring them to give security for the Execution of the same.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 7th day of June, 1832.

John Chester (seal)

Signed, sealed & ack’d in presence of us:

Sam’l Grer
Benjamin Boyd Test.
Wm. Bradley

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