Book __, Page 130
Proven: April Term, 1857 [Minutes page 44]

I, James Cox of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being of sound mind and memory and feeling certain that my natural life is drawing to a close, do therefore make publish and declare this to be my last Will & Testament, that is to say:

First. That my body be buried in a decent and respectable manner, and that my burial expenses be paid out of my Estate.

Second. I will that my lawful debts be discharged out of any money that may come into the hands of my Executor, which I will hereafter name in the Will, and the residue of my Estate, both real and personal, I will bequeath and dispose of as follows:

Third. I will and bequeath to my two nephews John James Cox and George Van Cox, sons of John T. Cox, the tract of land on which I now live containing 50 acres more or less, to be divided equally between them when they arrive at a lawful age, and that John T. Cox or some other suitable person have full control of my land until they come of age, and that my mother have her home and support off the said land during her natural life.

Fourth. I give, will and bequeath to my brother John T. Cox, the following notes and interest thereon:

[Note: bullets added below for ease of reading]

• One note on John R. Charles for $122.31, dated January 5, 1857;
• one note on E. D. Faris for $11.66, dated 12th Jan., 1857;
• one note on Jesse M. Lyons for 25, dated 29th August, 1856;
• one note on Nelson Campbell for $181.09, dated Aug. 6, 1856;
• one note on Jas. Miller for $33.42, dated April 9, 1856;
• one note on T. T. Barrett for $241.62, dated Jan. 25, 185_;
• one note on C. C. Miller dated March 18, 1850 for $15.00, due 15 October, 1856;
• one note on John T. White and James White for $42.63, dated March 5, 1857;
• one note on Jim Lyons for $25.00, dated Jan. 28, 1853;
• one note on Dan Green for $65.28, with a credit of $35.00, June 27, 1855.
• One Receipt on Elias Beal for $200.00, dated October 23, 1856,
• and that the said John T. Cox pay out of said notes the sum of $17.00 to George Cox.

Fifth. I give and bequeath to Sarah S. Cox, wife of John T. Cox, one note on Wm. White & Bro. for $98.31.

Sixth. I give, will and bequeath to John T. Cox & Sarah S. Cox his wife all my household and other articles too tedious to mention.

Seventh. I will that my Executor pay to George Cox the sum of $22.50 out of the money I now have on hand.

Eighth. I appoint, make and put on John T. Cox for my Executor to this my last Will and Testament.

Ninth. I will and desire that my said Executor pay to Thomas T. Cox my brother and Polly Bray my sister the sum of one dollar each, out of my Estate.

Interlined before signed.

In testimony whereof I James Cox hereunto set my hand and affix my seal The 6th day of March A.D. 1857.

James M. Cox (seal)

Witness:

Wm. A. [X] Owen
R. M. Sensabaugh (his mark)

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