Contributed by W. Ross Berry, Linden, Michigan

Will of Cader Piercey Senr.

In the name of God. Amen. I Cader Peircey Senr. of the County of Madison and State of Tennessee being in perfect health and perfect mind and memory, Do this Seventh day of April One thousand eight hundred and forty one, make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form as follows (To wit)

1st, I leave to my beloved wife Lucy Peircey all my real and personal Estate during her widowhood.

2nd, I give and bequeath unto my two Sons Bryant and Cader Peircey, all the Land on which I now live to be equally divided between them according to quality and quantity, so that Cader’s part includes the building, or my present residence, and in case either Bryant or Cader Peircey die without issue the Survivor to have all the Land.

3rd. My will and desire is that all the residue of my estate, after the marriage or death of my wife be equally divided amongst all my children with two exceptions the first that Reuben Peircey receive one dollar as his part , and no more.

The second is that all the children or heirs except Reuben receive Fortynine dollars and Eighty seven cents more than the heirs of Nancy Berry, as they have received that amount in advance The right and title of the said property to be vested in them and their heirs forever. I hereby constitute and appoint, my son William Peircey, Thomas Sowell and Dempsey Nowell Executors of this my last will and Testament. Finally revoking all former wills and bequeaths And acknowledging this and this only to be my last will and Testament.

Signed Sealed Delivered and
pronounced by Cader Peircey Senr.

his
Cader C Peircey
mark

Testator of his last will and Testament in the presence of
Martin ?
Wm Peircey

At the bottom left on the original there is a notation that Wm. Peircey’s handwriting had been proved in court by two men (whose names are illegible). The names look like “Pharoah Buon and Benj’n Buon”. On the back of the will is this notation: “Proven in open court, Isham V. Harris, Chair and ordered to be record-Recorded.” Another mark says: “1841” [This was transcribed from a xerox copy of the original that was ordered from the Madison County, TN courthouse in Jackson, TN]