Will Book __, Page 370
Proven: Sept. Term, 1852

The State of Tennessee )
Hawkins County )

I, Cleon Moore of the County and State aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, make this my last Will & Testament.

First. It is my desire that all my just debts shall be paid.

Second. It is my desire that my beloved wife Emily G. Moore shall have all the negroes that I acquired by our marriage, to wit: Eliza, Esther, Ellen, Robert, Carroll & Nancy and their increase if any, and all the household and kitchen furniture that may be on hand at my decease which I acquired by our marriage.

It is also my desire that my beloved wife Emily shall have the farm that I purchased of William N. Cox in Jefferson County, Tennessee, on condition that she — my wife Emily G. — pay to my heirs the sum of $1,000.00 it being money that I paid in part of the purchase money of said farm and other moneys advanced by me for debts contracted by my said wife before our marriage and that she shall have a bay mare (Fanny) now on the farm & a cow and calf on the farm in Jefferson, which cow I acquired by her by marriage.

I desire further that should my wife Emily desire it she shall have laid off to her by my Executor hereinafter mentioned a sufficient quantity of grains &c from my farm in Jefferson County for one year’s support.

Third. It is my desire that the remainder of the property it has pleased Almighty God to bless me with shall be sold by my Executors on a credit of twelve months and the proceeds therefor to be equally divided among the following persons, to wit: Virginia McCarta (now dead), Sarah Moore, William Moore, John Moore, Margaret Moore, George Kendrick Moore, Moriah Bradford, Mary Moore, Eliza Ruth Moore, Josaphine G. Moore, Cleon R. Moore.

I have one other child, Emiline Moore, not named above but for whom I have heretofore provided.

After deducting from William Moore $900.00 and from Virginia McCarta‘s heirs the sum of $1,300.00, from George Kendrick Moore the sum of $1,200.00 and from John Moore the sum of $900.00, all of said several sums having heretofore been advanced to my children in lands or money, which I have no doubt will be admitted by each of them.

Fourth. Should my Executors believe that it will be to the interest of my heirs to sell any or all of my land not disposed of by me on a credit of one, two or more years, they can do so.

Fifth. I desire that there shall be no misunderstanding about what is my will and intention in this my will. That is, that my wife shall have all the property herein before mentioned for her, on paying the sum of $1,000.00 above stated to the rest of my heirs not heretofore provided for, and that the remainder of the proceeds of the sale of all my property both real and personal shall be divided equally among my heirs not heretofore provided for, after deducting the amounts hereinbefore specified from the heir’s share who has received it.

Sixth. I hereby revoke all other wills that I may have heretofore made, adopt and radify this my last Will & Testament,

and I hereby appoint Absalom P. McCarta and Thomas (Theo. I) Bradford, two of my sons in law my Executors to this my last will.

Signed and sealed in the presence of:

James L. Etter
Cleon Moore
John B. Logan

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