Will Book __, Page 163
Proven: Nov. Term, 1855

In the Name of God, Amen.

I Martha Dodson commonly called Patsey Dodson of Hawkins County and State of Tennessee being weak of body but sound mind and memory, calling to mind the mortality of this life, and knowing it is appointed unto all persons once to die, having a desire to dispose of such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me, do hereby make and publish this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following, to wit:

I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved children, Penelope Mays, wife of Beverly Mays, Eliza Dodson, Thomas L. Dodson, William E. Dodson, James H. Dodson, Sanford Dodson & George Dodson jointly the following named negro slaves, to wit: One woman slave named Nice, one negro boy slave named Jack. One negro girl slave named Sis, likewise one other boy slave named Dick, which several names slaves were willed to me by the last Will and Testament of my deceased father Thomas Johnson, and are all children of the said negro slave Nice.

Item 2nd. It is my wish and desire that all my above named children have jointly an equal interest and share in the above named slaves, arrangement to be made by my Executor hereafter named as shall insure each and every one of my said children their just part and share therein so that they each have share and share alike.

Lastly. I hereby nominate and appoint __[blank]__ sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament aforesaid.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of August A.D. 1853.

Martha [X] Dodson (seal) (her mark)

___ng [illegible] and acknowledged in the presence of us:

Test.

Wm. F. Lee
Thos. Johnson

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