Book 2, Pages 145-147
Filed and Proven: April 5, 1875

I Elizabeth Farmer in view of the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death and having a firm desire that after my departure that my little estate shall be divided and ___ in harmony and now being in sound mind and memory and mind I now make and do hereby publish this as my last will and testament, at the same time praying and committing my soul to him that gave it and my body to the grave and my property both real and personal as follows:

First – My will and desire is that my funeral expenses and all just debts be paid out of the first effects that come into the hands of my executors.

Second – My will and desire is that the tract of land of about one hundred and fifty acres be divided as hereinafter mentioned it being the same land I obtained by deed from James S. Caldwell in the 8th civil District of Hawkins County joining the lands now owned by William Vaun, William Burchfield and others and Holston River also on the North west, including where I now live also where Alexander Farmer, Barsheba Thacker, Thomas Manis and John Henry and George Richards now resides containing one hundred and fifty acres be the same more or less.

The first lot or parcel to be conveyed or assigned is the north east portion beginning of the dividing line at the river at the first low gap in the ridge below the mouth of the creek, then a straight line to the spring that George Richards is now using, then up the branch to a sourwood near John Henry‘s house in the original at the fork of the hollow, also east of his line is hereby assigned to my well beloved son James Lawrence Farmer and his heirs forever.

Second Lot, beginning at the sourwood above mentioned and to follow said line to a marked white oak on the top of the ___ Paps Knob, thus west top of said knob on ridge to opposite the lower corner of Alexander Farmer‘s farm thence a direct line from the top of said ridge crossing the hollow and with the fence and same direction of said fence to the river, this includes where John Henry and George Richards now lives and is hereby assigned to my well beloved daughter Mary Matilda (who intermarried with George Richards) and her heirs forever.

3rd Lot All of said tract lying west of the land described above and north of the top of the ___ Paps Knob or ridge named in second lot including where he now lives is hereby assigned and allotted to my well beloved son Alexander Farmer and his heirs with the condition that he keep it and occupy it for a home for himself and his lawful heirs but should he reuse to occupy the same he is hereby prohibited from selling or transferring said land to other ___ or ___ but to fall back for equal division of James Lawrence and Mary Matilda, and their heirs forever.

4th – I will and desire that the small piece of land lying on the south side of the extreme height and top of the said ___ Paps Knob or Ridge supposed to be some twelve or fifteen acres including the improvement where Thomas Manis now lives be and is hereby assigned and allotted to my well beloved husband George Farmer his heirs and assignees forever but in order that the title to the above described lands and every part thereof be perfect the awards as assigned and before the same can be done through being filed by the assignees must to wit: Alexander, James and Mary Matilda shall will and truly pay my beloved daughter Priscilla who intermarried with Robert Kersey their equal part of seventy dollars to be equally divided with the heir that gets the land and also the expense of administration .

5th – My will and desire is that all the personal estate that I may die possessed of, of every character shall belong to my well beloved husband George Farmer but in case he should die before I do, then and in that case I will dispose of it as I think best and further in consideration of the same piece of land assigned to my husband George Farmer he shall well and truly pay to my grand children to wit: George Farmer and Elizabeth Farmer, children and heirs at law of the late William Farmer, deceased each the sum of one dollar,

and lastly I hereby nominate and appoint Branch Tucker to perform the duties as executor of this will.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19 day of February 1875.

Elizabeth [X] Farmer (her mark) (seal)

Signed and acknowledged in presence of:

William Vaughan
W. T. Birchfield
Branch Tucker

Transcribed by Betty Mize