Will Book __, Page 167

In the Name of God, Amen.

I Joseph Epperson of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, planter, being in and of imperfect health of body but in and of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God.

Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed once for all men 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 to the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I give to the Earth, to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall raise the same again by the mighty power of God.

As touching such as my worldly Estate whereas it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise and dispose of in the following manner and form.

First. I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Jane Epperson and my children all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs & cows, house furniture, and movable effects, together with my plantation on which I now live containing 100 acres, to be by her freely possessed during her widowhood.

At the expiration of her time, or at her death I will that the same property except the land should be sold and equally divided between the eight children: Betsy, Allen, Nancy Epperson, John Epperson, Polly Epperson, Peggy Epperson, Thomas Epperson, Hester Epperson, Patsey Epperson, Then I will said land to John & Thos. Epperson my two sons as their right and property.

I also constitute and ordain my dearly beloved wife Jane Epperson and Jesse Epperson the sole Executors of this last Will and Testament. And I do hereby utterly revoke and disannul all and every other former will, testament, [illegible], Executors by me before named, willed, bequeathed, ratifying & confirming this and no other to be my Will & Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, This 26th Sept. 1814.

Joseph Epperson (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and pronounced and declared by the said Joseph Epperson as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto set our names in the presence of each other.

Attest:

Henry Crawley
Francis Aubraken
Joseph Davis

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