Marshall County Will Book A, page 57

I Martin Adams of the county of Marshall & State of Tennessee do make and publish this my last will and testament. hereby revoking and making void all other will by me at anytime made.

first I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed of or may first come into the hands of my Executor.

Secondly I give and bequeath to Adson Adams, a tract of land where he now lives, containing one hundred acres heretofore deeded to him rated at seven hundred dollars to one thousand dollars including what I have heretofore givin him.

Thirdly I give and bequeath to John R. Gentry my son in law a tract of land whereon he now lives known as the piggs place. containing one hundred acres rated as seven hundred dollars to be made up to one thousand dollars including what I have heretofore givin him

fourthly and fifthly I I give and bequeath to my wife elizabeth during her lifetime a tract of land containing ninety acres to be laid off of the North end of my tract where I now live Including my Dwelling house and other buildings and at her death I give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth a Nego Girl named Franky and a negro woman named Dark durin her life time and then the said negroes & in all as if any is to be divided equally between all my children,

Sixthly I give and bequeath to my son in lw Daniel Collins a tract of land containing fifty acres where he now lives know as the Bullock place rated at five hundred dollars, and also a negro boy named John rated at five hundred dollars.

Seventhly I give and bequeath to my daughter Lena one half of the remainder of my tract of land on which I now live to be divided North and south and L. Adams to have the west end and also a negro girl named Ane* rated at five hundred dollars and the Land rated at the same.

Eightly I give and bequeath to my Daughter Margaret Adams the east and the rainder of my tract of land and rated at five hundred dollars and also a negro girl named Harriett rated at five hundred dollars. that is with the exception that Lena Adams is to have the cedar timber on two acres of Margaret Adams land and of four on Daniel Collins land to be laid off in a square

Ninthly I give and bequeath to my son inlaw John McClaren a negro boy named James rated at five hundred dollars to be made up to one thousand dollars including what I have heretofore givin him

Tenthly I give and bequeath to my son William Adams five hundred dollars incliding what I have heretofore givin him I further will if any of the above named negroes John, Anne, James, Harriett should die before they be secured by each heir that the balance be made up out of the remainder of my estate if any there be.

Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my wife Elizabeth & Wilie Perry Esqr. my Executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I Martin Adams the said testator have to this my will written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this 14th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundred fourty three.

Signed sealed and published in the presence of us who have subscribed in presence of the testator and of each other.

Martin Adams (Seal)
James R. Haskins, Jurat
Richard F. McLaren
John Stammer, Jurat

I Martin Adams having heretofore made and published my last will and testament do make and declare this as a codicil thereto. (to wit) first I direct and desire that a negro girl named Franky be give to A Litha Collins in the place of a negro boy John and that John be put in the place of Franky Lastly it is my desire that this codicil be attached to and constitute a part of my will to all intents and the purposes this 6th day April 1844.

Signed sealed and published in the presence of us who have subscribed in the presence of the testator – and of each other.

Martin Adams (Seal)
James R. Haskins Jurat
John Stammer Jurat

State of Tennessee Marshall County, County Court Sept 1844. Personally appeared in open court James R. Haskins and John Stammer who being first sworn proved the due Execution of the within will. It is therefore ordered by the court – that said will be admitted to probate. Witness my hand at office this 2nd day of Sept. 1844.
M.W. Oakley Clerk