Will Book 2, Pages 178-179

Filed and Proven: May 6, 1878

Knowing the uncertainty of life and certainty of death and being in feeble health of body but of sound mind and memory, I do hereby make and ordain this my last will and testament: as follows to wit:

First — I give my soul to God who gave it.

2nd. — I want my funeral expenses paid as soon as convenient after my burial.

3rd — I want all my just debts settled and paid as soon as convenient.

4th. — I hereby give and bequeath to my beloved wife Orlena Merriman my whole plantation and all my personal property for her support during her natural life or widowhood and also for a [illegible] and support for Laura F. Merriman, my daughter, while she may be single or unmarried with her Mother.

Now after the death of my wife Orlena then I want my estate divided as follows, between my children.

1st. — I give to my son G. W. Merriman the east end of my farm, beginning on J. Netherlands line on the north side of the farm and moving across at the east end of the field know as the Bob field at the road then east along the road to a hickory tree on the south side of the road, then with a post and nail fence across the valley to T. J. A___ [illegible] line then around the east boundary of my land to the beginning.

2nd. — I give to my daughter Martha Ann who married John Powers three hundred dollars or the value of the amount in land lying and being with of the land of G. Merriman and bounded on the east by his line and on the west beginning on Netherlands line on the north near to a gap or low place in the ridge, then running so as to enclose the spring, known as the Bob Spring and to the top of the ridge on the south side of the valley, then along the top of said to G. Merrimans line.

3rd. — I give to my son Jesse Merriman my homeplace including my house and land what is not included in the lots gave to [illegible] and Martha on the condition the said Jesse shall pay to my daughter Laura F. Merriman three hundred fifty ($350.) dollars or give her land on the west end of my farm to that account.

4th. — I give to my grandson William Bewley, son of William H. Merriman, deceased, Five dollars.

5th. — I give to my grand son heirs of Polly Hamblen, deceased to wit: Charles W. Hamblen, Five dollars, James M. Hamblen, Five dollars and Edward R. Hamblen, Five dollars

and I hereby appoint Orlena, my wife executrix to this my last will and she shall choose any one of my sons or sons in law to assist her in the administration of my estate without giving any bond or security for the performance of the same.

I also reserve one half acre of land including the family burying ground with timber to support it and also a road to the burying ground.

Done this 1st day of January 1878

G. R. Merriman

Witness:

John F. Powers
Thomas J. Amis

This Hawkins County Will was transcribed by Betty Mize.