Will Book __, Page 364

In the Name of God, Amen.

I George A. Mathes of the County of Hawkins and State of Tenn., being in feeble health but of sound disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and declare this to be my last will & Testament.

It is my will and desire in the first place that my just debts be paid and that all the debts owing to me be collected.

It is also my will and desire that after the collection of the debts due to me and the payment of the debts which I owe, the balance of the money that may then [illegible] together with the money on hand remain, is to be equally divided between my beloved wife Nancy L Mathes and my two dear children Mary Jane and Margaret Elizabeth, share and share alike.

It is further my will and desire that all my other property and effects of every kind, both real and personal that may now or may hereafter in any way belong or descend or be bequeathed to me, shall in like manner be equally divided between my aforesaid wife and two children, share and share alike.

It is further my will and desire that out of the respective shares of my Estate bequeathed as aforesaid to my two children, a sufficiency thereof shall be at the discretion of their Guardian be set apart and devoted to their education.

It is also my wish and desire that my aforesaid beloved wife Nancy L be the Guardian of my two (children) Mary Jane and Margaret Elizabeth.

And I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved brother John P. Mathes of the County of Jefferson in the state aforesaid to be the Executor of this my last Will and Testament, and it is my will and desire that my s’d brother John P. act jointly with my wife in regard to the education of my two children

and I do hereby authorize and empower said Executor to sell and dispose of at any time, any of the property belonging to my Estate whenever in his opinion it may be to the advantage of my wife and children, and on such terms as he in his discretion may think best, upon consultation and with the assent and approbation of my wife.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal. This 27^th day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Forty Six.

G. A. Mathes (seal)

Signed, sealed and acknowledged the date above written in the presence of:

D. Mitchell
J. R. Johnston
Nathaniel Hart

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