Will Book __, Page 267

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, James Johnson, of Hawkins County, State of Tennessee, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory but calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to die, do execute and publish this my last Will and Testament.

1st. I leave to my beloved wife Susannah the plantation on which I am now living, together with two horses, four cows and calves, 15 hogs, six sheep, all my farming utensils and household and kitchen furniture.

Also, Frank and his wife, Old George and his wife, which she is to have during her natural life.

If she should wish to discontinue housekeeping, the Executors may sell the land together with all the property except the negroes, and after making the heirs equal by counting in what I have previously given my children — giving my grandson James T. Johnson half as much as one of my children — then the balance of cash kept for the use of my wife Susannah until her death to be divided in the manner above named, also the negroes left to her to be sold and the cash divided in the same way as above named.

Having due regard to the property heretofore given my children, it is to be understood by this my last will that I have given to my son Thomas $100.00.

To my daughter Charity the sum of $550.00.

To my daughter Lucy the sum of $146.00.

To my daughter Folly the sum of $20.00, which several sums are to be taken into consideration and settled out of their several shares at my death, or out of my property that is sold at that time, which is to be all the property not herein mentioned.

I leave to my daughter Charity — Betsy, Sally and Betsy‘s youngest child, if she has more than one more child, i.e. the youngest child at my death.

I leave to my daughter Lucy — Bob & Sis & if Rachael has more than one child before my death, Lucy is to have the next to the youngest child.

I loan to my daughter Mary Rachael, Mandy and Rachael‘s youngest child at my death if she has any more children.

I will to my son Jeremiah — Young George, Henry & Lewis.

I will to my son James — Jacob and Katharine and William.

I loan to my grandson James Thomas Johnson — Jacob and the next child that Betsy may have which I want valued at my death and with them take into consideration the $100.00 that his father has had, then at my wife’s death, I want him to have enough cash to make what he and his father has had equal to one half as much as one of my own children gets, to have the use of during his life,

then unless he should have a lawful heir — a legitimate child — it is my will that what I have loaned him should be equally divided amongst my children at his death.

And all the above named property I want valued by three good men that may be chosen by my Executors and each one to have possession of the above named property at that time, but should one of my children’s part or negroes, together with what I have given them be estimated at more than another, they are all to be made equal out of what property is sold at that time or with cash.

The above property that I have given to my daughters, or rather loaned, it is my will that they should have the actual possession of it until their death, then to be divided amongst their children equally, but should there be an attempt made in any way to sell the above named negroes, it is my will that my Executors should take them in possession and hire them out and apply the proceeds in what way the Executors may think best to their use.

It is also my will that my Executors should out of what I have given my grandson James T. Johnson give him good schooling and his part not to be given him until he is twenty one years old.

The land over the river together with what property not herein mentioned to be sold at my death and disposed of as above mentioned.

And if the negro women should have any more children than what is otherwise disposed of, they are to be sold at my death with the other property.

Ratifying and confirming this my last will and Testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal This 26th day of June A.D. 1832.

N B Let it hereby be understood that I want my wife to have one year’s provision after my death.

It is also my will that the old negroes should be sold to the highest bidder; but not to be sold unless the heirs bought them, and so as not to part man and wife.

James Johnson (seal)

Attest:

Hardy Johnson
Elisha Dodson

N B It is my wish that James & Jeremiah execute this my last Will, or some other good man if they both refuse so to do.

Given under my hand This 26th day of June, 1832.

James Johnson (seal)

Attest:

Hardy Johnson
Elisha Dodson

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