Estate of John Hill (1850-1852)
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John Hill was one of the sons of Green Hill, Jr. The following were children of John Hill: Elizabeth L. Hill Roulhac, C. G. Hill, (Lucinda) Caroline Hill*, Sally Hill Rice, Susannah B. Hill Murphy, Mary Hill Goodman, Nancy J. Hill Goodman, John C. F. Hill and Thomas J. Hill. *She married her cousin, Richard Hill.
In the name of God Amen.
I, JOHN HILL, of the County of Haywood and State of Tennessee make and publish this testament of my writing, my last will and testament, revoking all wills heretofore made, if any, in the following words and figures, that is to say,
First it is my will and desire that my just debts be paid by my Executor out of funds hereinafter to be named for that purpose.
Secondly I hereby give, bequeath and devise unto my beloved wife NANCY H. HILL the following property,
First the two hundred acre tract of land whereon I now reside, lying, being and situated in said County of Haywood, according to its true metes and bounds with all and singular its improvements. The Gin and press thereon being a part of the improvements. Said tract of land is adjoining the land of THOMAS J. HILL in the West and Joseph G. Kelsoe in the East to her in fee simple forever, to do with as she may deem best. Also said twenty off of twenty four acres of another tract of land, lying in the West of the land I give her. Also one Negro man named Jordan, one Negro man named George, one Negro boy named Clevis, one Negro woman named Sa_ny, one Negro woman named Louisa, one Negro boy named Albert. Together with their increases and all the household and kitchen furniture of every description whatsoever that I am now owner of, or that I may be seized and possessed absolutely and forever.
Also one pleasure carriage and carriage harness and two carriage horses and my saddle horse, Peete, and her choice of two mules out of my stock, three plows and three pair of gears, three mowing hoes and grubbing hoes that belong to the place to have her choice in plows, gears and hoes, a cross cut saw and __.
Thirdly, I do hereby give, bequeath and devise unto my son WILLIAM HENRY HILL my two hundred and forty acre tract of land granted to me by the State of Tennessee lying partly in Haywood and partly in Hardeman County in the State of Tennessee, Range 4, Section 5__. Beginning at the North West corner of an occupancy in the name of JOHN N. BRADFORD, running West two hundred and forty poles, thence south one hundred and forty five poles, thence East forty seven poles, thence south twenty and one half poles, thence East one hundred and seventy six poles, then north thirty one poles, thence East seventeen poles, then north one hundred and thirty-give poles to the beginning. To him and his heirs in fee simple forever. Also one Negro boy named Sam, one Negro woman named Abegail and her boy child named Perry with their increases absolutely and forever.
Fourthly, I do hereby direct __my Executor herein after to be named to sell all my land and all my Negro slaves not herein and hereby specifically disposed of and make deeds and bills of sale to the respective purchasers, together will all and every other article and species of property that I may be seized and possessed of, and to collect all sums of money that may be due unto me, and out of the funds arising there from first pay all my just debts, and the balance I give and bequeath to all my children as well those whose names are not mentioned herein as to those whose names are mentioned, and to my beloved wife NANCY H. HILL to be equally divided amongst all of them share and share alike, and to each of their heirs and legal representatives, absolutely and forever, and hereby direct my said Executor to pay out said funds accordingly.
Lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend, John F. Kelsoe of said Haywood County, Tennessee, my sole Executor to this my last will and testament with full power to do all things __ful in the premises. Witness whereof I the said JOHN HILL have herein subscribed my name, affixed my seal and acknowledged the sums in the presence of each of the subscribing witnesses. Witness hereunto written this August 12th 1850.
JOHN HILL {SEAL}
Established by the supreme court of Tennessee at Jackson at the April term 1852 and moved by the County Court of Haywood County to the June term 1852 to be recorded.
C. P. Taliaferro, Clerk.
Source: Haywood Co TN page 642-643
Friday morning, November 5th 1852 Court met __ to adjournment present the Honorable John Read, Judge
William G. Roulhac & wife Elizabeth L. C. G. Hill William H. Hill Richard Hill & wife Caroline Sally H. Rice William H. Murphy & wife Susannah B. William Goodman & wife Mary
vs
Humphry W. Keeble & wife Nancy J. John C. F. Hill & Thomas J. Hill
Petition for sale of Land & slaves for Devision
Be it remembered on this 5TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 1852, Before the Honorable JOHN READ, Judge,
Causes came on for further hearing on the petition of petitioner __ pro confesso exhibit on the same and the report of the Clerk __ master and it appearing to the Court that JOHN HILL late of Haywood County, deceased, __and possessed of the Several __Lands in the petition and exhibits Specified and also the following Slaves viz, JORDAN, SAVORY, MOSEY, BEW, IRA, RUFUS, WILLIAM, REILLY, FANNEY, AGIA 65 years and FANNEY age 18 years & girl child about 18 months old and SONIA, it all appearing that by written agreement duly proved and registered that NANCY HILL the widow of said JOHN HILL has renounced and conveyed to the Heirs of said JOHN HILL her interest__the said property and particularly in the Negroes Jordan__Savory and that the petitions and defendants are the only Heirs and legatees of said JOHN HILL deceased and __ equally entitled to said property, and it appearing that in the life time of said JOHN HILL he entered into a written agreement with one THOMAS H. CANNON for the sale __One Hundred acres off the two hundred acres tract of Land granted to said JOHN HILL by the sate of Tennessee __ off so as to include the buildings and cleared Land where __CANNON now resides, and it further appearing that said __ slaves cannot be equally divided between the several heirs without a sale of the same. It is therefore ordered, adjudged and Decreed by the Court that WILLIAM G. ROULHAC the administrator of said JOHN HILL be appointed special Commissioner to sell said Land and slaves, and that after first giving thirty days previous notice printed or written advertisements at various public places in Haywood County and ___of the time, and place of said sale & proceed to sell all of said Land (except the part sold to said THOMAS H. CANNON, as aforesaid, to the highest bidder__a credit of one and two years and that he take__with at least two good securities and reserve a lien__purchaser money and that he also sell said slaves to the highest bidder on a credit of four months taking __ with good Security __a lien on the slaves for the purchaser money. It is further ordered that before said WILLIAM G. ROULHAC the Commissioner aforesaid enters upon the duties herein assigned him he be required to file with the clerk of this court his bond with approved Security in __double the estimated value of the property conditioned that he will make __ return and report of his proceedings. Herein and for the faithful accounting for any sum or sums that may come into his hand by virtue of his appointment as Commissioner aforesaid and make his report of his proceedings herein to the next term of this Court and that all other matters be reserved until the coming in of said report.
