Will Book __, Page 252 [as transcribed]

In the Name of God, Amen.

I John McBroom of the County of Hawkins, State of Tennessee, being sick and weak in body but of sound and disposing mind, considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs & 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 the manner and form following, that is to say:

First and principally, I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named, after my debts and funeral charges are paid &c.

Item. I give and devise unto my eldest son James McBroom $5.00, together with what he has received more than a proportional share alike.

Item. I give and devise unto my eldest daughter Polly $5.00 together with what she has received a full proportional share alike.

Item. I give and devise unto my son Alexander McBroom‘s children — all that are lawfully begotten — all the tract of land that I now live on that lieth on the north side of the Carter Valley Road, to have and to hold each and severally to share alike in fee simple.

Item. I give and devise unto my daughter Jane McBroom all the tract that I live on & claims that lieth on the East side of the Carter Valley road to have and hold in fee simple.

Item. I devise & bequeath all the rest & remainder of my Estate, that is, the money proceeds of the sale of my property after my death to be equally divided between my son Alexander and daughter Jane McBroom in shares and shares alike, with the exception of one negro woman called and known by the name of Pegg, which I wish to free as follows:

To all whom it may concern, be it known that I John McBroom of the County and State aforesaid for divers and good causes & considerations release from slavery, liberate, manumit from slavery my negro woman named Pegg and I do henseforth declare to be free and discharged from all manner of servitude forever after my death.

And lastly, I do hereby constitute Absalom Looney & Jacob B. Groves to be sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament, revoking and annulling all former wills by me heretofore made, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will & Testament.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal This 22nd day of January, 1828.

John [X] M. McBroom (seal)

Signed sealed published & declared by John McBroom the above named Testator as and for his last Will & testament, in the presence of us who at his request, in his presence & in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto:

Attest:

Aaron Williams
Absalom Looney
John Charles
Jacob B. Groves
Andrew Gouldy Executors

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