contributed by Barbara Collin

Marshall County Will Book C, page 231

In the name of God Amen}
I John W. M. Short of the County of Marshall State of Tennessee being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do make ordain publish and declare this to be my last will and testament that is to say first after my funeral expenses be paid and all my just debts are paid and discharged the Residue of my estate Real and Personal I give and bequeath and dispose as follows.

First to my beloved wife Malinda P. Short all my personal effects and all my lands on which I now reside and the apertainences thereon.
Second In the event that my personal effects are not suficient to pay all my liabilities then I direct that a sufucient quantity of my lands lying on the West end of my land be sold on a credit of Twelve months credit to pay the remainder of my debts and that my Executor have full power to sell and make a good title to the same. I likewise make and constitute and appoint Z. Haislip to be my Executor of my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills at any time by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and afixed my seal. This January the 15 day 1871.
John W. M. Short (seal)
his X mark

The above written instrument was subscribed to by the said John W. M. Short in our presence and acknowledged by him to each of us and he at the same time published and acknowledged the above instrument so subscribed to be his last will and testament and we at the testator’s request in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto.
Joel Dodd (seal)
George Dodd (seal)
his X mark

Jurat 10-2-93
At the request of the testator J. W. M. Short Testator of this Will
I became a subscribing witness. This October the 4th 1888.
Test — T. W. Short Jurat 10-2-93

State of Tennessee}
Marshall County}
This day came Joel Dodd & T. W. Short the two subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Will who after being first duly sworn proved the due execution of the same by the testator upon the day and date therein named. Whereupon the Court ordered the same certified, and the Will recorded.

Witness my hand at office. This October 2, 1903.

W. L. Wallace, Clerk
B [unreadable] JR Nance[?] DA[?]