Will Book __, Page 485

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, Batson Whitehurst, of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being in perfect health of body and of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for his mercies, and calling into mind the mortality of my body and knowing that all men sooner or later must die, 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 into the hand of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth, to be buried in a decent Christian order at the discretion of my Executors here named which are Hillery Whitehurst of North Carolina and John Burkhart of Hawkins, Tennessee.

And as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First. I give and bequeath my negro boy George and negro woman Siller to my brother_ [as transcribed] Hillery Whitehurst and Henry Whitehurst, heirs to Sarah Camper and Nancy Cox, to be equally divided.

Secondly. I give to my four grandchildren, namely Patsy, Batson, John and Thomas Whitehurst the following two negroes, Charles and Nancy, to be equally divided, as they come to the age of maturity. My Executors to hire out the same for their benefit,

and the balance of my personal property divided equally with these four children, leaving sufficient to defray all debts and expenses, and:

Thirdly. For divers good reasons good will and full compensation which I bear for my friend John Burkhart, I do will, give and devise to him my negro girl Hannah which is now in his possession, to keep her as long as he sees cause, to dispose of as he may (think) proper, and as his property forever.

And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other (testament), will, legacies bequeathed by me in any way before named, willed or bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal. This 26th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.

Batson Whitehurst (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Batson Whitehurst as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names:

Attest:

Carter Mason
Edward Williams

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