Will Book __, Page 214

Know all men by these presents that I John Grigsby of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and memory do this day make my last Will and Testament.

First of all, I give and commend my life into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the Earth from whence it sprang.

I give and bequeath to my wife Winney Grigsby my negro man Will and his family, Viz: Susan, Frank and Gibson, as long as she lives.

I give and bequeath to my son Nathaniel Grigsby and Ashby Grigsby all my lands and tenaments lying on the south side of Holston River adjoining on the west to James Sanders’ land and to James Bredens’ line on the east to be equally divided between them.

Nathaniel Grigsby is to have the part of the land I now live on, together with the buildings.

The said Nathaniel Grigsby and Ashby Grigsby are to have no part of the remainder of my lands.

My negro man Will is to be no longer a slave after the death of me and my wife Winney Grigsby; he shall be allowed to live with any of the children as he pleases or with anybody else.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Judy Smith ten dollars out of my Estate and all I have gave her and no more.

I give to my daughter Elizabeth Rutherford and John Rutherford her husband ten dollars out of the Estate I now have and all I have gave them and no more.

I give to my daughter Fanny Wood, dec’d and John Wood her husband ten dollars out of my estate and all I have gave them and no more.

I give to my daughter Polly Smith and James Smith her husband ten dollars out of my estate and all I have gave them and no more.

I give to my daughter Winney Rutherford and John Rutherford her husband ten dollars out of my estate and all I have gave them and no more.

William Grigsby my son is to have $235.00 out of my estate over and above an equal share of the remainder of my estate lands excepted being indebted for the value and all I have gave him and no more.

James Grigsby is to have an equal share of my Estate, lands excepted.

Also Samuel Grigsby is to have an equal share of my Estate lands excepted.

John Grigsby is to have the price of a plantation out of my estate to be worth Five Hundred Dollars and equal part of the estate.

Nancy West and her husband James West is to have an equal share of my Estate, lands excepted.

Lucy Murrel [Herrial ? — see original] is to have an equal share of my estate, lands excepted, and negro Ede and negro Alcy also.

I give to my two grand daughters Louisiana Smith and Minerva Smith a negro girl named Rose and all I have give them shall be theirs and no more.

So this my last Will and Testament whereunto I have set my hand and affixed my seal, This twenty eighth day of September, 1826.

N.B. I will that my son James Grigsby be appointed Guardian for Louisiana and Manerva Smith, my grand daughters over the negroes I have gave them above mentioned.

John [X] Grigsby (seal) (his mark)

Witness:

Jesse Creech

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