Book 2, Page 465

In the Name of God, Amen.

I Thomas Taylor of the State of Tennessee, now residing in Hawkins County, being much afflicted in body but yet in perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for it.

Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament.

That is to say, Principally and first of all. I do give and recommend my soul to God who gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth, to be buried in a decent manner, agreeable to the Christian rule, but at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again by the power of God.

And as touching such worldly Estates wherewith it has pleased (God) to bestow on me in this life, I do give, devise and dispose of in the following manner.

First. I recommend all my just debts be paid.

Secondly. I recommend all my perishable property to be sold and equally divided in my family of boys and girls, one black cow excepted, and allowed for Catrena Brown.

Thirdly. I recommend my land to be for the use of my son James Taylor for five years, and he is to scool Beckey and Ann to read and write their name, and to keep the plantation in repair, and at the expiration of five years to be sold and equally divided between John, Thomas, James and Wilson Taylor, and the said sons to pay Becky and Ann $150.00 each that is to come out of the price of the land, either in money or in property.

I allow Joseph Long‘s note 100 dollars, William Logan‘s note 50 dollars and Andrew Forgey‘s note to be collected by my Executors and give to suites of clothes to Beckey and two to Ann, at the age of 15 years.

And I do constitute my sons Thomas and James to be my Executors.

And I do hereby disallow, revoke and utterly disannul all quiths, and every Testament that mite have been heretofore been made, and I do hereby ratify and confirm this to be my last Will & Testament.

In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal This 26th day of February, 1813.

Thomas Taylor (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and delivered by the said Thomas Taylor to be his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names.

Test.

John Long
James Y. Long 

N.B. That part of my will saying that James Taylor is to live on my plantation five years is done away and the land is to be sold. [blank space] will allow and that part of James Taylor scooling my daughters Ann and Rebeckey is done away, and there is a note on James Surgian [Surgion] of 110 dollars and sixty-five dollars out of said note which is mine.

And I do certify that the above signed will to be my last Will and Testament with these under amendments.

Thomas Taylor (seal)

Test:

Aaron Wells
John Long

Transcribed by Betty Mize