Will Book __, Page 483
Proven: May Term 1817

In the Name of God Amen.

I, Christopher Wilfle of the County of Hawkins in the State of Tenn., being of sound mind but infirm of body, do make this instrument my last Will and Testament.

Item 1st. I give and bequeath unto my son John Wilfle that part of my tract of land on which he now resides, to begin in the great road where John Critz lives, crosses the same, thence down the road to the first fence of the lot now occupied as a calf pasture, thence a south course with s’d fence to the outside of the plantation, thence a westerly course with the fence back of the barn to the line of John Burris‘ tract, to include all that lays south of the before described lines,

also one negro woman slave named Easter, provided she may choose to go to him, and in the case she does not, she is to be sold and the amount of sale paid to my son as aforesaid.

Also, one bay mare called Tam.

Item 2nd. I give unto my three daughters, Mary, Elizabeth and Pheby, all the remaining part of my land lying principally on the north side of the great road, to be equally divided between them, and in case they cannot agree among themselves, it is my will that James T. Gaines, Robert McMinn & John Critz divide the same into three lots of as near equal value as they can, and that my said daughters draw lots…

I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary two negro slaves, to wit: a boy named Ceaser, and a girl named Emeline.

I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth two negro slaves, one a woman named Milley, the other a girl named Mariah.

I also give and bequeath to my daughter Pheby two negro slaves, to wit: Carson and Winney.

I give and bequeath unto said daughters aforesaid, all my stock (except the mare before mentioned), together with all my farming tools of every description.

And in case there should be more of either than they may wish to keep on the farm, they are to be sold at public sale by my Executors and the proceeds divided equally amongst them.

I also give my said daughters all my household and kitchen furniture, and if more than they wish to keep, to be divided as the last above-mentioned articles are to be, or in case of a separation taking place between them by marriage — in that case, the stock on hand, household and kitchen furniture to be equally divided so that the one going off may have her share with her.

I wish my two stills and vessels sold and the money arising therefrom after paying my debts to be equally divided amongst my four children.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal. This 17th day of May in the Year of our Lord, 1817. I constitute and appoint the before ________ James T. Gaines, Robert McMinn & John Critz Exec’s of this my last Will & Testament.

Christopher Willfle (seal)

Signed and acknowledged in the presence of:

John M. Vaughan
John Akaid

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