Will Book __, Page 104

In the Name of God, Amen

I, John Cooper of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, considering the uncertainty of life and being of sound and perfect mind &c. blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say;

First, I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter, Jane Cooper a negro girl called Mary.

I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Cooper a negro girl named Agnus.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Cooper a negro girl named Mariah.

I also give and bequeath unto my son William Cooper a negro boy named Spencer.

I also give and bequeath unto my son James Cooper four negroes to be divided after our deaths, equally between William, John, Robert, Wiley, Absalom and Henry Cooper, by the boys above named getting Jane, Elizabeth and Mary Cooper a horse, saddle and bridle a-piece.

I also give and bequeath to my seven sons, James, William, John, Robert, Wiley, Absalom and Henry all my lands and tenements lying and being in the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee. For them to have and to hold and dispose of agreeable to their will.

At my death, my seven sons above named is to go equal shares in paying a bank debt that is against me.

As for my stock and household and kitchen furniture (it) is to be divided among all my children, with the exception of my eldest son James Cooper.

This is my last will by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal. This Twenty seventh day of December in the Year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty one.

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

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named John Cooper to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names witnesses in the presence of the Testator.

George Morrison
Robert Cooper

Hawkins County, State of Tennessee We, the under assigned legatees of John Cooper dec’d, after seeing his last Will and Testament, believing that it has been forgotten or neglected by him to make such provisions for our mother as he intended, we the undersigned do agree that she shall have as follows:

The dwelling house and kitchen, including the orchard and garden, then along the lane past the old barn, thence a straight course with the fence until it strike the great road, that she is to have her lifetime all the land east of said line until it strikes Kingcaid’s line.

Likewise, she is to have the disposal of her household and kitchen furniture and stock of every kind.

Likewise, a neglect naming the negro boy that was left to James Cooper, in the will whose name is Ben.

We, and each of us, do bind ourselves in the sum of $500.00 to stand to the above agreement.

As witness our hands and seals, This 24th of August, 1832.

James Cooper (seal)
William Cooper (seal)
John Cooper (seal)
Robert Cooper (seal)
Wiley Cooper (seal)
Jane [X] Cooper (seal) (her mark)
Elizabeth [X] Cooper (seal) (her mark)

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us:

George Morrison
Robert Cooper

Note: The above will of John Cooper was proven August Session, 1832.

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