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In the Name of God, Amen.

I, John Saunders of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being in a low state of health, but perfect mind and memory, Thanks be to God,

and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, I do make and ordain this my last Will and testament, that is to say,

principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors, not doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same by the mighty power of god,

and as touching my worldly Estate wherewith I am posessed, I give and devise and dispose of in the manner following, to wit:

Item 1st. I give to my son George Saunders all that tract of land of 400 acres on Honeycut‘s Creek that William Jeffers & Steven Parten is now living on to him and his heirs forever.

Item 2nd. I give to my son James Saunders the tract of land whereon I now live, with the appurtenances to the same belonging to him and his heirs forever, only the benefits arising from the same, I wish to be disposed of in the following manner.

I wish the said farm to be for the use and maintenance of my said son James and my two daughters Betsy and Polly, equally amongst them until they are grown up, after which time the whole of the premises belongs to James.

I also wish my two daughters Betsy and Polly to be with their sister Tabitha Chesnutt and being under her jurisdiction until they are capable of acting for themselves

and I wish Henry & Bitha to live on my farm and keep all the things together and as to my other Estate, I give and dispose of in the following manner (to wit):

All my negroes and stock of every kind I divide equally, share and share alike between George Saunders, Tabitha Chesnutt, James Saunders, Betsy Saunders & Polly Saunders with all the rest of my household furniture & utensils of every kind only.

I give to my two daughters Betsy & Polly a bed and furniture apiece which is to be considered in the division as a part of their share

and what past property of any kind that any of my children has already received is to be counted to them a part of their share.

To Willie Saunders I give five shillings, knowing that he is no child of mine,

and as to my wife Tisha Saunders, I give nothing as she has left my bed and eloped with another man.

I appoint Richard Mitchell & Joseph McMinn Referees and request of them to divide my said Estate among my legatees agreeable to the tenor of my last will and testament.

I do also appoint my son George Saunders & Henry Chesnutt Executors.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and seven, 1807.

John [X] Saunders (seal) (his mark)

Signed, sealed & acknowledged in presence of:

Wm. Paine
Sam’l Smith
Michael Rork

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