Will Book __, Page 113
Proven: Sept. 1, 1845

I, John Christian have on this the 4th day of March in the year of our Lord, 1845 in my proper mind, made & published this my last Will & Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

First. I desire that my body be intered decently according to the custom of the country, that my burial & funeral expenses together with all my just debts be paid out of any money that I may die sezed of or the first that may come into the hands of my Executor from any of my real or personal Estate.

Secondly. I give & bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy my entire landed Estate not hereinafter bequeathed, during her natural life provided she never marries, together with all my household and kitchen furniture, one horse, three cows and twelve sheep & twelve hogs.

Thirdly. I give to my son William L. Christian five dollars, having previously provided for him.

Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth. I give to Margaret Arnald, Ruthy Felken/Felkner, Lewis Christian’s widow and lawful heirs, Thomas Christian, Nancy Long (all) $5.00 each having previously provided for (each of them).

Ninth. I give to John Christian one-half of a certain Island known by the name of Felkner’s Island and $5.00.

Tenth. After paying all my debts & the above cash bequests at the above named death or marriage of my wife Nancy I give and bequeath to my four youngest sons, Allen, Seth, Jas & George Christian, all my landed Estate together with any stock, farming utensils &c, leaving my wife Nancy to dispose of the personal property left her to who she pleases at her death.

Eleventh. I do hereby nominate & appoint my two beloved sons William L. and Thomas J. my Executors to this my last Will & Testament.

In testimony whereof I have this day set my hand & affixed my seal the day & date above written.

John [X] Christian (seal) (his mark)

Signed, sealed & delivered in presence of the Testator & each other, the day & date above written:

Test:

P. [X] Henderson (his mark)
David [X] Lyons, Jr. (his mark)
Adam Patterson

I John Christian have this day in my proper mind made and published this codicil and attached it to my last Will & Testament and declared it a portion of the same…my son Allen in the division of my real estate shall have his interest at the upper or east end of the plantation so as to include my present dwelling and out houses.

This shall not be so construed as to revoke or make void any portion of my will to which it is attached.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal this 28th of May, 1845, in presence of:

John [X] Christian (seal)

P. [X] Henderson (his mark)
Emanuel [X] Rutledge

Transcriber’s Note without explanation:  Pro Sept. 1, 1845 Jan. 5, 1846

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