Will of Judith Kenner
Two wills, dated approximately nine years apart, were recorded for Judith Kenner.
Will Book __, Page 279
In the Name of God, Amen.
I Judith Kenner of the County of Hawkins & State of Tennessee, being of sound and perfect mind and memory (blessed be God) do this sixteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nineteen, make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say.
First. I give to my mother Margaret Duguard the use or profits of all my Estate real & personal during her life, provided nevertheless that the same shall be under the care and management of my Executor from the time of my death and during the lifetime of my mother.
Secondly. I give and bequeath to my daughter Lucy Beverly Winston the use of my negro girl Mary during her life, and after the death of my daughter Lucy, I give my said negro Mary and Mary‘s increase to my grand daughter Margaret Winston, to her and her heirs forever.
Thirdly. I give and bequeath to my son Lawrence Sterns Kenner one horse, one bed and furniture, and one Beaufat.
Fourthly. I give and bequeath to my daughter Judith Cardin one bed and furniture.
Fifthly. I give and bequeath to my daughters Lucy Beverly Winston and Judith Cardin all my wearing apparel to be equally divided.
Sixthly. I give to my grandson William Winston Kenner the tract of land whereon I now live containing 110 acres by estimation, be the same more or less, to him and his heirs forever.
Seventhly. I give and bequeath to my grandson Roaham Beverly Kenner my negro girl Eliza and her increase, to him and his heirs forever.
Eighthly. I give and bequeath the residue of my estate real and personal to my grand children, equally divided, share and share alike.
Lastly. I hereby make and ordain my worthey friend William Simpson of Rogersville Executor of this my last Will & Testament,
In witness whereof I the said Judith Kenner have to this my last Will & Testament set my hand & seal the day and year above written.
Judith Kenner (seal)
Hezekiah Hamblen
George McCollough
Will Book __, Page 282
In the Name of God, Amen.
I Judith Kenner of Hawkins County, State of Tennessee, being in perfect health of body, of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding, considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence, do therefore make and publish this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following, that is to say:
I give and devise to my two grandsons Rodham Kenner and William W. Kenner all my land containing about 300 acres, their heirs and assigns in fee simple, to be equally divided when William W. Kenner comes of age.
I give and bequeath unto my said grandsons William W. Kenner and Rodham Kenner one negro woman called Eliza together with her offspring, equally divided, when William W. Kenner comes of age.
I give and bequeath unto my said grandson Rodham Kenner my walking cane, marked on the head with Rodham Kenner, also my silver table spoons.
I give and bequeath unto my said grandson William W. Kenner my silver watch, also I give and bequeath unto the said William W. Kenner my silver Teaspoons.
It is my desire that my negro man called Martin shall be sold and one half of the money to be put in the hands of my grandson William O. Winston for the special benefit of his mother, my daughter Lucy, and the other half to be equally divided between my two grandsons Columbus Carden and Joseph Carden, children of my daughter Judith Carden, to be put out on interest till Joseph comes of age. In case one of them should die, the whole of said half to go to the survivor.
I give and bequeath unto all my grand children all my claims and interests in the State of Virginia, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike whenever settled.
I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Beverly J. Carden the bed and bed furniture on which I lay.
It is my desire that my negroes called John, Nann & Caroline shall remain on the place whereon I now live, that all my stock and household furniture and farming utensils shall be kept together and nothing sold till the time herein after mentioned, and it is my desire that Lucy Winston my daughter shall take possession & live on the place & the house whereon & wherein I now reside till William W. Kenner comes of age or so long as my said daughter Lucy sees fit to reside on said place till the coming of age of said William W. Kenner,
it is also my desire that my negro woman Eliza with her children shall remain on the said place, together with John, Nann & Caroline and assist in making provisions for my two grandsons Rodham Kenner and William W. Kenner and my daughter Lucy Winston till William W. Kenner comes of age, and it is my desire that all things be kept together on said place by my daughter Lucy just in the situation as I leave them till William W. Kenner comes of age, and then my old negroes John, Nann & Caroline are to always find a home on the place whereon I now live or live with whomsoever of my daughters or grand children they see fit,
that when said William comes of age it is my desire that all my stock and household furniture be sold and out of the proceeds of said sale, I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Margaret Findley $60.00, unto my grandson John G. Winston $60.00 & unto my grandson Columbus Carden $60.00,
and after paying over the said sums, I give and bequeath unto my daughters Lucy Winston & Judith Carden the residue of said proceeds.
And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint William Simpson to be the Executor of this my last Will & Testament, revoking and annulling all former Wills by me heretofore made, ratifying & confirming this and none other to be my last Will & Testament.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal. This 13th day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & twenty nine.
Judith Kenner (seal)
Signed, sealed, published & declared by Judith Kenner the above named Testator as & for her last Will & Testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence & in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
O. Rice
G. W. Huntsman
This Hawkins County Will was transcribed by one of the following volunteers: Audrae Mathis; Gary Fletcher; Betty Mize; Diana Arney; Karen Negron, Kathey Welder.