Will Book __, Page 148

In the Name of God, Amen.

I William Dykes senr. of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being very weak but in perfect mind and memory, Thanks be given unto God. Calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament.

That is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul unto the hand of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the ______same again by the mighty power of God.

And as touching such world Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life,

First of all, I give and bequeath to Susannah Dykes my beloved wife my dwelling house and all the land on the south side of the road on Beech Creek, Hawkins County, and bounded on the west by the land of Jacob Light and on the east by Flower Mullins, during her life, and at her death my son William Dykes is to have that part of my land that I have devised to my wife.

And also I give to Susannah Dykes all my personal estate, or as much as she sees cause to retain, and after her decease all my personal estate to be sold by my Exec. hereinafter appointed, and money arising therefrom to be equally divided between my four daughters, Mary Hase [Hale ?], Prissilla Cooper, Sarah Mullins and Ann Raseberry.

I give and bequeath that part of my land on the north side of Beech Creek Road between Thos. Mullins and Flower Mullins to my son Isum Dykes to dispose of as he thinks proper.

I give and bequeath to my son John Dykes 250 acres of land, be the same more or less joining the land of Flower Mullins on the head of Beech Creek on the waters of Walkers fork to dispose of as he thinks proper.

I give to David McCatley a colt that my bay mare is now with foal, provided s’d David pays the season.

I add nothing now to my son James Dykes I have made ample provision heretofore.

I constitute make and ordain my son John Dykes the sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all & every other former Testament, Wills, Legacies, bequests and Executors by me in anywise before mentioned, willed & bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, This 14th day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand Eight hundred and twenty five.

William [X] Dykes (seal) (his mark)

Signed, sealed published, pronounced and declared in presence of:

Reuben Bernard
Wright [X] Mullins (his mark)
Joseph [X] Dykes (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.