Maury County, TN Will Book C-1 pp 244-246

Presented January 31st, 1824

In the name of God amen I William Dooley of the County of Maury and State of Tennessee being well assured of the uncertainty of human life, and knowing
that it is appointed for all men once to die, and through the goodness of God possessing a disposing mind and sound memory do make and ordain this my
last will and testament hereby disannuling and rendering of non effect all Wills and Testaments heretofore made by me (viz) principally and first of
all, I give, devise and dispose of all the worldly Estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life in the following manner (viz) It is my desire that after my decease, all my lawful debts be discharged by my Executor or Executrices as hereinafter mentioned out of such money as may be due me by Note or otherwise so far as it will go and if not sufficient to discharge all, then they will dispose of my South Stock in a way to effect that purpose to the best advantages of the family.

Secondly, it is my will and desire that whenever my daughter Louisa chooses to leave my family or on the day of her marriage shall receive as a part of her ultimate dowry one good Feather Bed with its furniture worth $40, One horse or mare worth $40, one saddle blanket and bridle now in her possession worth $30, one desk now in her possession worth $25, one cow and calf worth $10, one sow and pigs and three Ewe sheep worth $8. 

Thirdly, It is my desire that my daughter Cynthia whenever she chooses to leave my family or on the day of her marriage received as a part of her ultimate dowry one feather bed and its furniture, one horse or mare, one saddle, blanket and bridle, one desk now in her possession, one sow and pigs and three eyes sheep and one cow and calf all to be worth one hundred and fifty one dollars.

Fourthly, it is my will and desire that all my household and Kitchen furniture, my waggon and all my farming utensils, all my stock of horses or a sufficient quantity of he above articles for the support of my family and farm at all times to be kept on the premises, and unappropriated to any other use and as many cattle, hogs and sheep as may be necessary for he use and Support of the family.

Fifthly, It is my will and desired that all my negroes (viz) Sylvia, Prissy, Rachel, Sam, George and Diela with all their increase remain on the farm and labor by the direction of my Executor or Executrices here after mentioned for the general good of my family.

Sixthly It is my will that my lands and plantation on which I now life be left in the occupances of my family for their support under the following restrictions (viz) There shall be no unnecessary waste of timber, none cut for sale, nor any other use, but for the support of the Farm, five wood and buildings on the premises. No part of my
lands are to be leased or rented to or cultivated by any but my own children, and in the event of the death of one or more of my children, without heir issue, then in that case, their portion is to return to the general masse of my estate for the benefit of the surviving heirs.

Seventhly, It is my will as far as my children many that they be provided for as my daughters Louisa and Cynthia are as near as the circumstances of the family will permit.

Eighthly, I hereby appoint my beloved wife Jane and her two daughters Louisa and Cynthia Executrices of this my last will and Testament and all my other children in ___ as they become of age, but in the event of any of my children marrying or having any family, they are by that act excluded from any authority in the execution of my will and should my wife marry again, she is hereby excluded in like manner, and in that case it is my will that she receive of the household and kitchen furniture, and stock of every kind so much as not to embarrass the Preparations of the house and farm and in case of my Executors or Executrices being each did as before preceded or re_____ by death, and none left to act but minors, I wish the Court of the County to appoint a guardian to direct and manage the Estate until the oldest minor because of age, and last of all when my youngest surviving child becomes of age, it is my will and desire that an equal and final division of all my estate, both real and personal shall take place, having a due regard to the land each child may have received previously amongst all my legal and surviving heirs as they may agree or a
majority of them to divide the property amongst themselves equally or sell it at public venue or private sale as they may deem most conducive to the general interest.

The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 30th day of January, the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three. Signed and acknowledged in presence of John Smised, John Copleland, Adair Discon

Submitted by: Lauri Dooley Miller