Will Book ___, Page 403
Proven: Sept. Term 1853

State of Tennessee, Hawkins County, December 2, 1849:

Know ye that I Thomas Poindexter being in very usual state of health and of sound mind and memory but calling to mind the mortality of my body, and it is appointed for all to die, do make, ordain and constitute the following to be my last Will & Testament.

First and principally, I give and recommend my soul of that gracious God who gave it me, and my body to a decent burial.

2. I give unto my beloved son James Poindexter all my part of the land which my father lived on which the said James Poindexter now lives on, to have and to hold, him and his heirs forever, to make him equal to my daughter Martha.

3. To make my son George and daughter Emaline equal with them, I give and bequeath unto them my dry field tract of land to have and to hold forever in law or equity.

4. I give to my son William L. Poindexter $500.00 to be raised out of the balance of my property.

Also my wife is to have all the rest of my lands, the red house lot and the home house and all the balance of my lands during her natural life or widowhood.

Also is to kep [as transcribed] with her all the blacks which I shall have in possession, and after making those children that has not had beds and furniture and one horse beast to make than equal with the others, after this is done she is to have all the rest of the household and kitchen furniture and all the horses and cattle and hogs, but I recommend that she makes sales and sells all her surplus property and live on the money.

She is to keep my youngest son with her until he (Robert) becomes of age and then to make him equal with the rest,

and at her death everything is to be equally divided between William Poindexter, George W. and James Poindexter and Emaline Poindexter and Robert F. Poindexter, and if I hereafter make anything it is to be equal to them all, and if the money I have on hand is not disposed of, it is to be equally divided between the above written names.

This I subscribe to be my last Will & Testament. Given under my hand and seal This 3rd day of December, 1849.

Thomas Poindexter (seal)

Witness:

John L. Gonnose
Edmond Lovin

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