Will Book __, Page 355

I Solomon Mitchell of the State of Tennessee and Hawkins County, being of sound and disposing memory, do make and ordain this my land Will & Testament, revoking all other wills heretofore by me made.

In the first place, I give and bequeath unto my wife Nancy Mitchell all my Estate if she should survive me, that is, all my personal and real property or estate of every kind whatever, of every debt due or owing that I may die seized and possessed of, to have and to enjoy her lifetime.

Secondly. I desire that at both our deaths that my two slaves Betty and James may receive their freedom, and I do hereby at (my) death and my wife Nancy Mitchell’s death give them their freedom.

That is, I desire that my Executors may get a special Act of Assembly passed if it can be done for them to receive their freedom according to the tenor of this my last Will and Testament.

If they do not receive their freedom as above stated, I give and bequeath the above named slaves to John Mitchell my son forever, that is, in the following manner.

I give the service of said two slaves to him one day in each week forever, and the other five days of each week during their lifetime I give to said two slaves.

During their services to him, I desire he shall not depart with said two slaves or trade his right of them away.

Thirdly. At my death and my wife’s death I give and bequeath unto my eleven children, that is to say: Rebeckah, Lewis, Jesse, Greenberry, Nancy Robert, Morris, Elizabeth, Polly, Susannah, Richard Fifty Cents each.

Fourthly. I give and bequeath to my son John Mitchell all my property which I have not before disposed of of every kind whatever that I may die seized and possessed forever.

I constitute and appoint John Mitchell my Executor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal This 31st day of January, 1837
Solomon [X] Mitchell (seal) (his mark)

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us:

William Gideons
Marshall M. Webb
W. W. Walker

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