In the name of God Amen

I W. Merritt of Marion County Tennessee do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others by me at any time made.

First. I will and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys [sic] that I may die possessed of or that may come into the hands of my executors.

Second. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Susan Merritt both all my personal and real property that I may die seized and possessed of for and during her natural life with full power to sell and dispose of both my personal and real property as she may need to do and desire to do for her own use and make title deeds for the same and to use for her own use as she pleases the proceeds thereof for her own use during her natural life. And at her death any and all remainder or remainders of both real and personal property that shall be and remain unencumbered by her my wife at her death to be divided in equal parts share and share alike between the following named of my collatteral [sic] heirs and the heirs and descendants of Henry W Long and the heirs and descendants of my beloved brother Miles Merritt.

Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint James Long and B Long my executors to execute and carry out this will.

In witness whereof in the presence of the witnesses whose names are hereto signed I do to this my last will and testament set my hand after reading over the same set my hand on this the twenty seventh day of July One thousand eighteen hundred and eighty seven.

Signed and published in our presence and we have subscribed our names hereto in the presence of the testator on this the twenty seventh day of July One thousand eighteen hundred and eighty seven.

W Merritt

D T. Thack
W. McCoy