Will Book __, Page 372
Proven: June Term, 1856

I John Manis of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being somewhat advanced in life and rather of feeble health, but of sound and disposing mind and memory, considering the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, do make, publish and declare the following to be my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all the other wills made by me heretofore at any time whatsoever.

First. It is my will and desire that of the money that may be on hand at my death, or which may first come into the hands of my Executors hereafter named, all my just debts should be paid and all the expenses attending my funeral.

Second. It is my will and desire that my two sons, Nelson and George Manis shall have all my lands which lie in the valley where they now live, except that portion of said lands which lie northwest of a line to be run hereafter from a bunch of gums corner of a 50 acre grant to run with a line down to [illegible] Dubard‘s [DeBord ?] line and to cross the valley so as to strike Andrew Frost‘s line at Dubard‘s corner. It being my intention to give to my said two sons or their heirs all the lands which lies east and north of said line and to contain 125 acres to be equally divided between them, share and share alike.

Third. It is my will and desire that my four grandchildren, to wit: Sarah Manis, Rhoda Manis, Amanda Manis and Gathan [sic] Manis shall have my 50 acre tract of land as is contained in Grant No. 19338 and issued on the 20th day of October, 1835, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike.

But if it should be thought advisable and for the interest of said grandchildren, by my Executors to sell said 50 acre tract, they may sell the same and if sale should be made whilst said grand children are minors, the money arising from said sale shall be put at interest until the oldest may become of age or shall marry, and this his or her portion of said proceeds shall be paid over to him or her, and so on with the others.

Fourth. It is my will and desire that my son, Pleasant Manis shall have the tract of land whereon he now lives which lies west of the main road which passes my house from Sneedville to Rogersville. The east line to run with the road from the SE corner thereof to the lower corner of the tract whereon I now live, to wit: To the lower corner of my meadow. Thence leaving the road to the left and running a straight line to a stake, a corner of my 50 acre tract. Thence along the line of said 50 acre tract to a black oak and maple corner of said 50 acre tract. Thence around various courses to include all my land west of the last mentioned line.

Fifth. It is my will and desire that my wife Celia Manis shall have the entire use and control of my home plantation and the two places on which Washington Smith and John Robison [sic] now live for and during her natural life or widowhood, and after her death or marriage that said plantations shall belong entirely in fee simple to my two sons John and Gilbert Manis who are now minors, or their heirs, to be equally divided between them share and share alike.

And it is my will and desire that my wife Celia shall also have my negro boy Rowe and my mare mule for and during her natural life or widowhood, and after her death, or should she marry, then and in that case, it is my will and desire that my Executors shall sell the said negro boy and mule and divide the proceeds equally between Nancy Manis, Betsy Fields, Polly Robertson, Celia Manis and Lucinda Manis, my daughters, share and share alike.

It is also my will and desire that my wife Celia shall have all my household and kitchen furniture, and one third of the stock hogs that may be on hand at the time of my death, one third of the sheep, one third of the cattle and all the farming utensils.

Sixth. It is my will and desire that my son John Manis shall have a boy mare colt now one year old past and a saddle and bridle. And my son Gilbert to have a bay mare colt, saddle and bridle likewise. And that my daughter Celia shall have one cow and calf, one side saddle, and my daughter Lucinda shall have a cow and calf and side saddle.

Seventh. It is my will and desire that all the balance of my personal estate shall be sold by my Executors on 12 month’s credit and the money when collected shall be equally divided between my daughters Nancy Manis, Polly Robertson, Celia Manis and Lucinda Manis, and if any money should be on hand at the time of my death more than sufficient to pay my debts and funeral expenses, it is my will and desire that said monies shall likewise be divided equally between my said four daughters last above named.

Lastly. I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Pleasant Manis and my son-in-law Carter Manis Executors to this my last Will and Testament. This 15 September, 1855.

John [X] Manis (his mark)

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us This 15th day of Sept., 1855.

George R. Powel
Abijah Anderson
Wm. Sullivan
Clinton A. Manis

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