Being old and knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death,  I do make this my last will and testament not to be nullified or set aside.

 

Item 1st I give my brother George Neville one hundred dollars per year (provided he survives me) during his natural life

 

Item 2nd I give Roger Williams one hundred and fifteen acres of land where he now lives more or less

 

Item 3rd I give Demarius Travis fifty acres of land in the south west corner of the tract she now lives on during her life and at her death to her two youngest daughters

 

Item 4th  I give to Elizabeth Trigg's son Charles IIia Metcalfe all my land on the North side of Red River also the following negroes to wit William, Benjamin, George, Bryan, Cyrus, Henry, Mary, Sally, Dempsey, Richard, Eve, York, Eliza, Georgean, Mary, Junior, Elvira, Daniel, Whitmel, Hougton, Benjamin, Junior, Randle.  It is my will that the above named negroes given to said Charles Ilia Metcalfe shall only serve him until eighteen hundred and seventy and then said negros be hired out for five years (which brings it to eighteen hundred and seventy five) to raise money to transport them to a free state.  I also give said C. I. Metcalfe four feather beds and bedsteads and furniture, on side board, one Secretary, two side glasses, one three year old horse, the balance of my perishable property that is not otherwise disposed of to be equally divided between him and his mother Elizabeth Trigg.  Now if said C. I. Metcalfe should die without lawful issue,  it is my will that all the property that I have left him shall return to my estate and be divided among my relations, with the same provisions, that I left it to him.

 

Item 5th I give to John Travis twenty five acres of land adjoining the tract I gave his mother on the west and north.

 

Item 6th I give Elizabeth and Carene Travis each a bed and furniture.

 

Item 7th I give the balance of my property both real and personal to Elizabeth Trigg (except fifty acres of land which is yet to be disposed of). Now all the negroes that I give to the said Elizabeth Trigg is to serve her until eighteen hundred and seventy and then to be hired out to raise money to send them to a free state.

 

Item 8th Now if the laws of the State of Tennessee will allow my negroes to remain here I give to them fifty acres of land lying east of the land I gave to Mrs. Demairus Travis.

 

Item 9th I set Rhoda and Sylvia free at my death.

 

I appoint my friends George S. Wimberly and Needham B. Whitfield my Executors to this my last will and testament witness my hand this August 12th, 1853

 

J. Neville

 

E. S. Fort
W. L. Lyn
G. S. Wimberly