Thanks to Edith Ward for donating the Will of her ancestor JOSIAH CROFT (Click on his name to view the will.) If anyone has Polk County Wills they would like to donate to this site, just send to me and I will add to Polk County Will site!
The following wills were transcribed by Marian Bailey Presswood from microflm made of the earliest records remaining after the two disastrous Courthouse fires in 1895 and 1935.
County Court
November Term 1893:
Last Will and Testament of Jesse
Rymer, deceased.
In the Name of God, Amen.
I, Jesse Rymer,
of Polk County, State of Tennessee, being of sound mind and in the full
possession of my mental faculties, considering the uncertainty of
life, make this my last will and testament as follows:
That
after my death, after all my debts and obligations are paid, I make the
following disposition of my property and effects.
To my beloved daughter, Minerva J.
Fetter, and her heirs I give and bequeath my farm on the
Ocoee River, Polk County Tennessee, being my homeplace and bounded by
Griffin, Rogers, Kimbrough, the lands known as the Ferguson place
and the lands of O. W. Mueller. To my beloved
daughter, Fannie Lillard,
and the heirs of her body, I bequeath the farm known as the
Ferguson place except the forty acre woodland lying near the M. C. Higdon's ,
and being still indebted partly for the same, it is my will that the life
insurance policy due from the Knights of Honor shall be applied to the payment
of said debt and that the deed be made to her in accordance with the above
provision
To John Graham I
bequeath fifteen hundred dollars to be held in trust by my executor or his
successor until he shall have attained the age oftwenty-five years.
To my brother, D. W. Rymer,
I bequeath the forty acres of the Ferguson place above excepted
and direct that the deed be made to him, also five hundred dollars in
money. The rest of my property I want divided among my
two daughters, Minerva J. Fetter,
Fannie Lillard and my
four brothers, David
W. Rymer, william H. Rymer, A. J. Rymer, and John C. Rymer and John Graham ,
I further direct that all my daughter Fannie Lillard shall receive shall be in
her own right as her own individual property and the
realty heretofore bequeathed shall go to her and the heirs of her
body. I also hereby empower my executor to
dispose of all the rest of my property, both realty and
personal at his discretion, either by private or public sale as he may deem
best. The policy of two thousand due from the Knights
of Honor at my death is made payable equally to my two
above mentioned daughters and want these bequests so understood that the
whole amount of two thousand dollars shall be applied to the
payment of the debt owing on the Ferguson place,
otherwise, that one thousand dollars would be due from Minerva to Fannie to
make them equal in the realty. I
hereby appoint O. W. Mueller of
Polk County, Tennessee, the executor ofthis my last will and
testament.
Made, executed, and signed the nineteenth of
September, 1893. Thomas
T. Biggs, Fannie M. Clemmer ·
Signed: JesseRymer
County Court,
February Term, 1894
I, Dennis
Haskings, do make and publish this as my last will and
testament, hereby revoking and making void all others by me at any time made.
First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon
after my death as possible out of any money that I may be possessed of on May 1,
come into the hands of my executor.
Secondly, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Sarah
M. Haskings all the household and kitchen furniture to
dispose of and do as she may see fit with at such times as she may desire. I
further desire and direct that she have the use of all my personal and real
estate on so much as will afford her a sufficient living fiee from want during
her natural life. I desire that D. C.
Haskings, D. W. Haskings, and Elizabeth S. Haskings, who
intermarried with
Sam W. Colwell have
all my personal and real estate of every kind, the personal to be sold and
divided equally amongst the three above named heirs and my real estate to be
divided so as to give Elizabeth S. Coldwell
the upper end of the farm the creek runing between the fields, the line dividing
the cleared land and uncleared lands in proportion so as to include the timber
land lying on the island creek; the cleared lands lying below the creek to be
divided between D. C. Haskings and D. W. Haskings so that D. W. Haskings get the
lower end of the farm and timbered lands adjoining, and D. C. Haskings to have
the middle portion of the farm and timbered lands lying on the creek that runs
between the fieldsds, the heirs to agree upon the division and value if they can
and if not, to leave it to disinterested men. Hariett
Haskings who intermarried with Terrell Thompson and
Mary Haskings who
intermarried with Ezekiel Lillard,
have received their full amount of my estate as well. Lastly, I do nominate
and appoint D. C. and D. W. Haskings
my executors.
In witness whereof I do to this my will set my hand this the
(blank) day of July, 1872.
Signed and published in our presence and we have
subscribed our names hereto in the presence of the testator, ths the (blank) day
of July, 1872 .
Attest: W. J. Copeland
Jacob M. Rymer
Dennis Haskins (His
mark)
County Court
March Term, 1894
On the first day of February, 1894 Lucinda Barnes deceased, in her last
sickness at her own habitation in Polk County, Tennessee declared in the
presence of the undersigned, whom she specially requested to bear witness
thereto that her will was as follows: That she wanted Lewis
Barnes to wind up her business. That she wanted to be
buried in a certain way and she wanted tombstones put at her grave and at her
husband's grave. She wanted her doctor bill paid, she wanted Jane Presswood to have her wearing
clothing, bed, bed clothing and bedstead and one chest and table. She wanted
Marion Barnes to have
one trunk, one looking glass. She wanted Lewis Barnes to have one clock, one
bedstead, and the remainder of her effects she wanted equally divided among her
legal heirs, that is her children.
The said Lucinda Barnes died the
seventeenth day of Febnrary, 1894.
Written and signed by us this the 20th
day of February, 1894
Signed by: Lewis
Barnes
John Presswood (his mark)
County Court
In the name of God, Amen
I, Joseph
Marchant, of Ducktown, Polk County, Tennessee being now
about sixty-four years of age and being awase of the uncertainty of this frail
and transitory life, but being now of sound mind and disposing memory and in the
full possession ofall my mental faculties, and having a desire before I depart
this life to adjust my earthly matters and make disposition of such property,
real,personal and mixed as I may own at the time ofmy decease, do ordain publish
and declare this as my last will and testament, that is to say: First: I will
and desire that all my just debts be paid by my executor who is herinafter named
as soon as is practicable after my decease. Second: I -will, desire, and direct
that the following property be set aside and allotted to my wife,
Frances Marchant, as
her homestead and dower to be held and used by her during the term of her
natural life, the same at her death to revert to any lawful heirs to wit: John Thomas andElla
Marchant, this provision ofmy will being accepted by my
said wife, Frances Marchant, in lieu of the provisions ofthe law in order to
save the cost of setting apart house stead and dower by the courts. My house and
lot in the town of Hiwassee, Ducktown, Polk County, Tennessee and all the
household furniture, but any other personal property such as my stock etc. it is
to be subject to the payment of my debts I may owe at the time of my death.
Third: I will, desire and direct that all the residue of my estate whether real,
personal or mixed go to my children to wit : John Thomas and Ella Merchant,
and be divided equally between them to share and share alike according to the
statutes ofdescent and distribution in Tennessee. Fourth: I will, desire,
and especially request that my children and the beneficiaries under this will
go not to law about any of the property herein disposed of, but should any
questions arise which I cannot think posssible, I trust that tfie
beneficiaries hereunder will seek the advice and council of some honest person
learned in the law, and that they will be governed by his advice and not
waste their property in ~ruitless litigation. Fifth. I desire and request
that E. M. Kilpatrick ofl
Ducktown, Polk County act as executor of this my last will and I hereby
nominate and appoint him as such, having 111 confidence at his integrity and
that he will faithfully discharge the duties ofthis position. In witness
whereof I hereby publish this as my last will and effects and my name and seal
on this the twenty-first day ofMarch, 1894
Signed: Joseph Merchant
We, James G. Parks and
A.C.Hunter at the testator's request and in his presence
and in the presence of each other were present and saw him subscribe his name to
the foregoing instrument, which at the time be published and declared as his
last will and testament and we have affixed our names hereto as subscri~ing
witnesses. James G. Parks, E. M.
Kilpatrick, A. C. Hunter, W. S. Maughan
After having had fully explained to me that under the
law I am entitled to dower and homestead in my husand's property and a
child's part of the personal property, and after having read the
provisions of the foregoing will, I accept the same fi·eely and voluntarily
in lieu of the provisions of the law.
Attest: James G. Parks and E.M. Kilpatrick, March 21,
1894,Frances Merchant
State of Tennessee, Polk County personally appeared
before me E.M. Kilpatrick Deputy CountyCourt Clerk of said County James G. Parks
a subscribing witness to the foregoing will ,who being first duly sworn says
that he was present and saw Joseph Marchant the testator subscribe his name to
the same, and that he be the said Joseph Marchant theie and there
published and declared the same as his last will and testment and that
the affiant at the request ofthe testator and in his presence and in the
presence ofthe other subscribing witnessses aftixed his name thereto as
a witness on the day it bears date.
Signed: James G. Parks
Sworn and subscribed before me this April 2, 1894 , E. M. Kilpatrick Deputy
County Court Clerk
County Court
July Term, 1894
In the name of God, Amen.
I, Sanders Griffin of
the County of Polk and State of Tennessee, being of sound mind and
memory, and considering the fiailties and uncertainties of this transitory life,
therefore make, ordain, and establish this my last will and testament.
That is to say after all my just and legal debts are paid I will and
bequeath to my daughters, Elizabeth Griffin
and Mary Ann Griffin, and my son G.W. Griffin all of my home, farm, with
its appertainices as an inheritance for life to share in the same equal
and alike. In case that my son G. W. Griffin should decide to part with his
interest as 4 above, provided he can do so provided that he sells the
same to my daughters, Elizabeth Griffin and Mary Am Griffin, if they
are both living, and in case one of my above named daughters should
die, then he to sell or transfer to the surviving one. I further
will, and it is my desire, that the remaining part ofmy real estate consisting
ofeighty acres, more or less, the place on which I formerly
lived and moved from to where I now live, be sold together
with my personal property, and the money that results therefkom together with
the money which I may have on hand at my death be
apportioned as follows:
First: My daughter Sarah Cates to have one hundred dollars,
also my sons Sanford F. Griffin
to be given three hundred dollars; also, William A. Griffin to be given one hundred
dollars; also, John
L. Griffin to be paid one hundred dollars. What remains
after the foregoing provisions have been made of my
personal property and effects it is my will and I hereby provide, that it shall
be equally divided between my four sons and three
daughters to share and share alike.
Attest: In
testimony of which I hereby subscribe my name on this the 28th day of February,
1893.
G.T. Orr
W. J.
Copeland
Signed: Sanders
Griffin
County Court
January Term, 1896
In the name of God,
Amen.
I, Benjamin P. Kendall,
of Ducktown, Polk County Tennessee being now of sound mind and disposing memory,
and being desirous of making disposition before my death of such property as a
kind Providence has seen fit to bless me with, do hereby make, ordain, make,
publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament, and revoke any
and all former wills of me at any time made, that is to say:
First: I will,
devise and direct that all my just debts, if any exist, be paid at once after my
decease. Second: I will, devise and direct that all my
property of whatsoever kind, whether real or personal, acid whether within
the State of Tennessee or beyond its limits pass at once after my
death to my beloved wife, Martha E.
Kendall, to vest in her in fee simple and to be hers
absolutely without any conditions whatever. Third: I hereby nominate and
appoint my said wife, Martha E. Kendall, my sole executrix without bond.
In witness whereof after hearing caefully read the foregoing, I
hereunto set my hand and publish the same as my last will and on this
the 21st day ofOctober, 1892.
Signed B.P. Kendall
We,
at the testator's request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each
other, hereto affix our names as publishing witnesses to the foregoing
instrument. The same having been prescribed and declared by the
testator in our presence as his last will and testament on this the 21st day of
Ocotber 1892.
Signed by James
G. Parks, H. A. Rogers and J. L. Centers
State of Tennessee, Bradley County
I, James G. Parks, Judge of the Seventeenth
Judicial Circuit of said state, do hereby certify under my official oath that
the foregoing is a substantial copy of the last will of B. P. Kendall who died in Polk County in
the year 1892. That said last will was written by me at the testator's request a
few hours before his death that the same was duly executed by the said B.P.
Kendall and witnessed as stated that the same was thereafter duly probated in
the County Court. County Court of Polk County That (as I am informed) the same
and the record ofits probate was afterwards destroyed by fire when the
Courthouse was burned and that the testator devised all of his property
absolutely to his wife as stated in copy above set out. Given under my hand
the 27th November, 1895. Signed: James G
Parks, Judge 17t~ Circuit County Court
April Term, 1896
Last Will and Testment of Luther LilIard, deceased.
I, Luther Lillard,
considering the uncertainty of life, do make this my last will and testament.
First; I direct that all my just debts, including funerall expenses, be paid out
of my estate. Second: I will and bequeath that my beloved wife, E. P. Lillard, have during her natural
life, my homeplace and further that she have all the household and kitchen
furniture, one mule or horse and one cow, together with all the poultry on hand.
Also, fiive hundred dollars in cash out of my estate to use as she may deem
proper. Third: The balance of my estate, I direct that it be equally divided
amongst my heirs to wit: John A. Lillird,
Mrs. M. J. Russell, D. E. Lillard and Mrs. S. M. WiIlson.
Fourth: At a favorable time, I direct that my interest in the mountain lands be
sold and the proceeds thereof be divided equally amongst my four above mentioned
heirs. I hereby appoint D. E. Lillard, J. N.
Willson, and my wife, E. P. Lillard, my executors and executrix
of this my last Will and testment. February 15th, 1891
Signed: Luther Lillard (seal)
Signed, sealed
and delivered in the presence of John A. LiIlard, J. N. Willson
State of Tennessee , Polk County
June 20th, 1889 I, Jordon
Calhoun, of the county and state above named, being in bad
health and knowing that life is uncertain, and I being in my proper mind as much
so as at any time my past life, do this day make my last will and testimony.
First: It is my desire and will that my son, Joseph
Calhoun, have the farm on which I now live, except one
piece of bottom land known as the lower bottom on the Easm on whch I now live
on, which is my will and desire that my son, William
Caihoun, have. He William Calhoun, is to have full control
of said piece of bottom land, from this day on as his own, and said William
Calhoun is to have a free passsway into said bottom. The said piece oftzottom
land that I, Jordon Calhoun, now will to William Calhoun is bounded as
follows: Said piece of bottom land lies below the big ditch running
with the run ofthe old branch joining the Harvey
Cahoun heirs. Third: It is my will and desire to state in
this will that I have heretofore willed to my two daughters, Rachel Carter and her heirs, and E. C. Tunnell and her heirs all that I
intend for them to have of my estate. Fourth: It is my will and desire that I,
Jordon Cahoun, and wife Jane Calhoun,
is to have our support off of said land that I have willed to my son
Joseph Calhoun as long
as we live and he Joseph Calhoun is to have said land at my death.
Signed
in presence ofthis day and date above named witnesses: W.G. Calhoun, P. L. Davis
Signed:
Jordon Calhoun (his mark)
County Court
February Term,. 1897
In the name ofGod, Amen
I, Edward P. Chastain, of the 10th Civil
District of Polk County, Tennessee being now of about the age of seventy years,
and in the full possession of my reasoning faculties and in the enjoyment of a
reasonable degree of bodily health, do while thus blessed with mental and
physical strength, desire to make disposition of such property as God in his
good providence has seen fit to bless me with. To that end, I do therefore make,
ordain, publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament, that is
to say: First: I will and desire that all my debts owing at the time of my
decease be paid by my executor herinafter appointed, out of the first monies
that may come into his hands in course of execution of this will, and if such
monies coming into his hands be insufliicient in amount to pay such debts, it is
my will and desire and I hereby direct that my land situated in the seventh
civil disrtict of Polk County, Tennessee (the same being a part of section
twenty-nine fiactionat township two (2) south 4C ) and comprising 200 acres more
or less, be sold and the proceeds of such sale for a sufficient.amount of the
same be appropriated to the payment of my debts. The residue, if any there be,
to be made a part of the general fimds to be distributed as herinafter directed,
and I do hereby authorize and empower my executor to sell said land and make
deed of conveyance therefor the purposes above set forth. In making said sale, I
desire that my executor consult my attorney, James G, Parks, and to follow his
advice in selling and conveying the same. Secondly: It is my will and desire
that my wife, Mary E. Chastain,
hold, use, manage, and control all the rest of my property of every description
whether within the state of Tennessee or beyond its limits, for the joint
support of herself and our children during the term of her natural life, or
during her widowhood. If she should see proper to marry again, then it is my
will that my property be held in trust for the support of my children until the
youngest become of age. Thirdly: It is my desire to treat all my children
alike, and to make them equal in every respect in point of advancement to that
end, if any of them should many, I will and desire that each should be given
personal property in quality and amount equal to what the children who have
already married have received. Fourth, Upon the death or marriage of my wife,
Mary E. Chastain, and
when my youngest child becomes of age, or if my wife at any time after my
youngest child becomes of age should see proper to consent to it, it is my will
and desire and I hereby direct that my property be equally divided among my
children Abraham, Haseltine, Melvira,
Mollie, Jackson, Napolean, Ellen, Frances, Susan, John, Joseph, and James
to share and share alike, and in making said distribution, my executor is
authorized and empowered, and empowered to deliver the property to the
beneficiaries, or if necessary, to sell and make deed of conveyance for the
same. The proceeds to be divided as above directed. Lastly: I do hereby
appoint and empower John H. Rogers as
the executor of this will and I council the beneficiaries hereunder that they go
not to law about any of the property herein named, but if honest differences
should arise, then I council them that they seek the advice of honest men
learned in the law and follow it. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal and do publish and declare the foregoing for my last will on this
30th June 1888.
Signed: Edward P
Chastain
We the undersigned at the testator's request, and in his presence, hereto
subscribe our names as witnesses to his signature which he made in our presence
and at the same time published and declared the foregoing instrument as his last
will and testament.
Signed: James G.
Parks, James Parks, G.G. Hyatt
Polk County March
Term, 1900
I, Amos Ladd,
being of sound mind and disposing memory, and viewing the uncertainty of life
and the certainty of death, make this my last will and testament, revoking all
former wills by me made. First: I want my funeral and burial expenses paid
out ofthe effects of my estate. Second: I want my just debts paid out of the
effects of my estate Third: I will and bequeath all of my land to my daughter,
Nancy Hillard during
her natural life, and then to her bodily heirs. Fourth : I will and bequeath
five hundred dollars to my grandchildren, lawful heirs to V. Millers estatehereafter named: Craven Miller, Willard Miller, Annie Miller and Nanney Fetter ,
formerly Nanney Miller, her bodily heirs to come in for
one share, the above five hundred dollars to be equally divided between them.
Fifth. If my wife, Nancy,
outlives me, I want her to have a decent support during her widoWhood, Sixth:
I want all of my personal property brought to sale by my executor and the
proceeds given to my daughter, Nancy
Hilliard, and heirs, bodily heirs. Seventh: I leave
Joseph W. Browder my
executor of my estate by giving the usual bond. (His mark)
Amos Ladd
Attest: D. R. Dunn and J. F. Srowder
January 21st, 1 898
Polk Conty September Term 1902
Last Will and Testement of Isaac Harrison
I,
Isaac Harrison of the
County of Polk in the sTate of Tennessee being of sound mind and memory, but in
feeble health, do make and publish this as my last will and testament, hereby
revoking and making void all others by me at any time made. First: I direct
that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid as soon after my death as
possible out of any money that I may die possessed of, or may first come into
the hands of my executrix. Second: I will and bequeath to my beloved wife,
Mary C. Harrison, all
the personal property that I may die seized and possessed of every kind and
nature and also all the rel estate of which I may die seized and possessed
consisting now of my home farm and the Robert Williams Mill property during her
natural life, and at her death I direct that any personal property remaining be
equally divided between my daughter, M. E.
Fields and my son, I. J. Harrison. Third: After the death
of my wife, March C. Harrison, I will and bequeath all the real estate of which
I may die seized and possessed to my two children, M. E. fields during her
lifetime, and at her death to the heirs of her body, and my son, I. J. Harrison,
in equal shares, and it is my desire that in dividing the avove named real
estate that my son have his share on the north side of said land, and my
daughter have her share on the south side of said land. Lastly: I do hereby
nominate and appoint my wife, Mary C. Harrison, my executrix to execute this my
last will and testament, and she is excused from giving bond in witness whereof.
I do to this my will set my hand on this the twenty-fourth, 1902.
Signed:
Isaac Harrison
Published
in our presence, and we have subscribed our names hereto in the presence of the
testator and of each other and at the instance of the testator on this the 24th
day of March, 1902.
Signed: A. J.
Williams and G. L. Williams
I, S. L. Higdon of Reliance Tenn. declare this to be my last will and testament.
First, that my funeral expenses together with all my just debts be fully paid.
Second: That the home and lands now occupied by me be left intact to my wife, Amanda Higdon and our 5 children, namely Glen, Grace, Anna, May and S. L. Higdon, Jr., and should this homeplace be sold for any cause, it is my will that the proceeds thereof be invested in a home, or so much of it as my executors think best under the circumstances then prevailing, it being my intention that my wife and children be provided with a home, so long as my wife stays unmarried and that the children, or any of them are unmarried and need a home.
Third: It is my will that Maud Gallahar remain where she now live without rents, and that if her husband, Den Gallahar, wants to cultivate the lands, that he be allowed to do so by paying one half of the crops to my wife and children. Provided that he pays one half the tax, and one half the upkeep of the farm, it being my intention that my daughter, Maud, feel at home as long as she lives. If Den should not want to cultivate the land, then it is my will that he still live on and have garden and reasonable truck patches free of rent, and the land be cultivated by my family, or be rented to others.
Fourth: That the proceeds of my share in the real estate of my father and mother be divided equally between all my children, including the heirs of A. E. Higdon, dec. one share and Maud Gallahar one share, or the heirs of Maud Gallahar, if she should die, it being my intention that all my children share alike in this estate.
Fifth: That all my assets in cash or its equivalent, including life insurance, stocks, or whatever, outside of the real estate mentioned in item 4 be equally divided after the maintenance and education of my children, equally share and share alike with my above named 5 children, but it being my intention that these means be used first in the maintenance of the family and in the education of the children. And, it is my will that if any one of the children, especially the boys, show a tact for a special training, that they be given it, provided the means will permit, but on no account shall the wife or children be neglected or bared from the necessities of life; that my wife be consulted with from time to time as to her needs and the needs of the children and such allowances made them as their actual necessities require, not in extravagance or wastefulness.
Sixth: That my saw milling and lumbering, after settling all claims incurred by it (which includes my indebtedness) be paid the remainder to be divided equally, one half to Den Gallahar, the other half to my estate. Den Gallahar owning one half interest after all debts are paid, and if Gallahar wants to run the mill on, I suggest he do so, provided my brother N.C. Higdon will elect to look after the business. In case he will and chooses to do so, I hereby will him one fourth interest in the sawmill and machinery, leaving one fourth to my estate, which is to receive one fourth the profits; if he does not elect to do this, then I suggest that the mill be sold or disposed of as my executors see fit and proper for the best interest of my family.
Seventh: That it is my will that the provisions herein be carried out by my executors as near as practical, expecting small details to be handled by them to the best advantage to my estate, and it is my will that none of my heirs or beneficiaries go to law, that if disputes arise, it must be fairly settled by my executors if possible. If it cannot be done, then it is my will that the one going to law be deprived of the benefit herein made and be allowed one dollar as their share in my estate. So long as my wife remains single, it is my will that she share equally with our 5 children in the benefits of my estate, except such proceeds as may come from the real estate of my father and mother, this as before stated to be equally divided with all my children.
And, last, I hereby constitute and appoint the Cleveland Bank and Trust company of Cleveland, Tennessee, together with my brother, N. C. Higdon to be the executors of this my last will and testament, revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and that my executors are not required to make bond for the faithful discharge of their duties, unless they elect to do so.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand this 21st day of February 1925.
S. L. Higdon
Subscribed by the testator in our presence and at the same time declared
by him to be his last will and testament.
Chas. B. Witt
R.E. McClary
W. B. Rucker
Editor's note: There is a codicil attached stating that the sawmill had
been purchased from Den Gollahar for which he had received his pay in
full.
Editor's note:[Marion Presswood] Around 1880, General Andrew Jackson Parks, son of Paul and Sarah Stephenson Parks, built the house in which my mom, Pearl Porter Bailey, now lives - as she has for the past 68 years. My grandmother, Zilpha Jane Griffith Bailey, purchased it for her family in August 7, 1926 after being forced from their homeplace in Fannin County, Georgia by the construction of Blue Ridge Lake and Dam. More than likely, the farm was part of the 600 acres purchased in 1840 by Evan Campbell father of Jackson's wife Lizzie. After Parks death July 10, 1923 at the age of 73, the house and 60 acre farm was owned for about a year by Lucy Guinn and then for a short while by Eula Shamblin, wife of Polk County News editor, John Shamblin, from whom my grandmother purchased it. Jackson and Elizabeth had no children so he left his estate to his wife and siblings. Lizzie died in 1926 and both are buried in nearby Old Ocoee Cemetery.
I, G. A. J. Parks, being of sound mind and disposing memory do make
and publish this my last will and testament;
First: It is my will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be
paid out of the first money coming into the hands of my executors.
Second: I will my gun, handsaw, watch, drawing knife and least iron wedge to my nephew, Jackson Parks, Jr.
Third: It is my will that my farm and all of my effects of every kind be sold and the proceeds thereof be deposited in the Benton bank for the benefit of my wife, Lizzie Campbell Parks.
Fourth: That my wife be provided with a good home or boarding place, where she shall be well cared for during her natural life.
Fifth: That after my death, a Tennessee marble double tombstone to cost about $100 to be bought of Tom Howard of Maryville, Tenn., if he is still in business there, to mark our graves.
Sixth: After the death of my wife, I will the residue, if anything is left, to my brothers and sisters and their heirs in equal parts. The names of my brothers and sisters are: G. C. Parks, Jane E. Campbell, dec'd W. A. Parks, Oregon A. Rymer, dec'd and Margaret Campbell, dec'd.
Seventh: I nominate and appoint T. M. Hicks and A. Lillard my executors of this my last will and testament with bond and they shall receive reasonable compensation for their services.
Witness my
hand this 19th day of August, 1922.
G. A. J. Parks
(Webmistress note: Margaret Campbell is Margaret Helen Parks Campbell, wife of Byron Dearmon Campbell.)
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