Transcribed by: Deanna Oklepek
Stewart County, Tennessee
Will Book A, Pages 222 – 223
In the name of God Amen I Juduath Allen of the County of Stewart & State of Tennessee being in ____ on State of Health but Perfect mind & understanding do make & ordain this my Last Will & Testament First I commit my soul to God and my body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Like manner after my Death.
Item 2nd I give to my Grand Daughter & Grand son Patsy Smart Rogers & Thomas Jefferson Rogers my negro man Sam and sorrel mare to be equally divided between the two children if they should live to have an heir of their own & if neither of them shall live to years of maturity then the Above mentioned property shall be the property of my daughter Nancy if living & if not to be her heirs or proper representatives.
Item 3rd I give & bequeath all my stock & cows & hogs & bulls and my household furniture farming utensils etc to my Daughter Nancy Excepting & previous shares which I have already given & so pointed out to my Daughter Milly & Sally which is not considered as my property & it is known and understood by the Family to belong to Sally & Milly I do hereby nominate and appoint my Daughter Nancy sole Executrix to this my Last Will & Testament and do authorise her to sell and dispose of the Negro Sam so as to benefit her two children in Purchasing two Younger Negroes of less value so as to divide the Value of said Property as Nearly as practicible between the aforesaid Patsy & Thomas in shares. If Nancy should not live until the said Patsy & Thomas shall arrive to years of maturity so as to act for themselves then and in that case their lawful guardian shall be vested with full power to execute this my Last Will and Testament And whereof I have hereunto set my mane and affixed my seal this 4th day of June 1813.
Signed sealed & delivered in )
The Presence of us ) Judith Allen (Seal)
Test. )
James Scarborough ___ )
Nancy Blanton ____ )
Emilia Allen ___ )
Lucy X Blanton )
(Her mark)
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Transcribed by: Deanna Oklepek
Stewart Co. Tennessee Will Book D, page 97
William T. Allen of the county of Stewart and the State of Tennessee being sound of mind and memory but badly affected with the consumption do make this my last Will and Testament being worth twenty two hundred and Eighty & 46 cts.
First) All my just deb ts must be paid (which are few) Secondly I wish my elder Brother Madison to take the ballance of the money and buy a good farm some where in some new country or where mother may think most proper and move mother and the family to it. I want him (Brother M adison) to take the tittle in his own name and live with mother her life time if it should not take all the money lay out the balance for stock furniture etc for the support of Mother and family.
This instrument was proved by the oath of Brunson Bayliss, Jacob Sheyock & James Lee and thereupon admitted to record May Term 1837 of County Court.
Test Elbert Bayliss Clk
By J. C. Humphreys deputy
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Transcribed by: Deanna Oklepek
Stewart Co. Tennessee
Will Book D, pages 275
I Asa Morris do make and publish this my last will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made. First I direct that my fu neral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may be possessed of or may first come into hands of my Executor. Secondly I lend unto my beloved wife Polly two cows and calves and a yoke of oxen during h er Natural life or widowhood She taking her choice of the steers and her choice of the cows and calves. I also lend her during her Natural life or widowhood one bay mare and yearling colt and three young sows and pigs having at the time sixteen pigs and a ll my sheep and geese. I also lend unto my wife Polly all my household and kitchen furniture consisting of beds and furniture and bedsteads looking glass and clock etc. & also a rifle gun & all the above named property I lend to my wife during her life o r widowhood. I also give my wife Polly one years provision of corn and pork & also one barrel of salt out of my stock that I have not disposed of. I also lend my wife Polly two plows with the stocks and gears belonging to them being the smallest plows o n my place and the two best axes and all the hoes all which I lend her during her life or widowhood. I also lend my wife Polly during her life or widowhood my dwelling house and kitchen and all my building and farm and all my land. Thirdly I give and be q ueath unto my son John D. Morris the sum of five dollars. Fourthly I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Adaline Williams the daughter of my daughter Sally deceased by her husband Daniel R. Williams the sum of five dollars. Fifthly I give and beque ath unto my daughter Susan Anderson the sum of five dollars. Sixthly I give and bequeath unto my son Reuben A. Morris Twenty five dollars and a certain gray horse the horse he is to receive in the fall of 1839.
Seventhly I give and bequeath unto my son Jam es H. Morris the sum of twenty five dollars and a sorrel mare bridle and saddle. Eighthly my will and desire is that all my property that I have not disposed of above be sold and after my debts etc are paid and those of my children above named have recei v ed what I have given them, my will is that William G. Morris and Samuel H. Morris and Asa Morris they also being my sons have the proceeds of said sale equally divided among them three. Also at the death or marriage of my wife my will is that all the pro p erty that I have loaned her that may then or be on the place I want sold and the proceeds thereof be Equally divided among my three last named sons (to wit) William G. Morris, Samuel H. Morris and Asa Morris and the land I now own after the death or mar r iage of my wife my will is that the same be equally divided between five of my sons (to wit) William G. Morris, Reuben A. Morris, James H. Morris, Samuel H. Morris and Asa Morris. Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint Samuel Ross my Executor. In Wit ness whereof I do to this my will set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of September 1838
Asa Morris
Seal
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Transcribed by: Deanna Oklepek
Stewart Co. Tennessee, Will Book I, page 360
We, M.S. Ross, J.G. Feltner and H.S. Hargis do state that the noncupative will of G.W. Wallace was made by him on the 24 day of January 1862 in our presence to which we w ere especially required to bear witness by the testator himself in the presence of each other that it was made in last sickness in his own habitation or dwelling house where he had resided several years and the same is as follows (to wit) It was his will t hat all his surplus property not actualy needed by his wife should be sold that the debts due him should be collected and all his debts be speedily paid and that all the property left by him to be the property of his wife and family and to be used as had been in his life time. And allso appointed his wife Sarah Wallace his executor to execute this will made out by us and signed this January 13 A.D. 1862.
M. S. Ross
J. G. Feltner
H. S. Hargis
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Transcribed by: Deanna Oklepek
Stewart Co. TN, Will Book B, page 116
State of Tennessee
We the Commissioners whose names are undersigned have met according to authority on the lands of William M. Cooley Deceased to lay off the Dower of W idow Ann Cooley agreeable to an order of Court directed to in and we the Commisssioners saeth that the one third laid off for Mrs. Cooley is to begin at the North east Corner of the tract of land whereon she now lives which William M. Cooley Deceased boug h t of Robert Tinner Beginning at and running south one hundred and six poles and two thirds. Thence west one hundred and fifty four poles to a stake. Thence north one hundred one hundred and six and two thirds poles. Thence one hundred and fifty four poles to the the Beginning including the dwelling house. In witness whereof we have this 28 June 1826 set our hands and affixed our seals.
John Lee-Seal
William Webster -Seal
Elias W. Smith -Seal
David Moore -Seal
John William -Seal
George Weeks -Seal
Jessee Morris -Seal
Elisha Williams -Seal
Ethel Wallace -Seal
John Morgan (his mark)- Seal
Edward Kelly -Seal
Thomas French -Seal (his mark)
Returned to August Term 1826
William KEEL, Sr., was born in Pitt County,NC, about 1765. With his wife, Mary, he migrated to Stewart County around 1810, settling in the extreme southern part of the county, near White Oak Creek. (This area is now in Houston County.) He has numerous descendants in Stewart County and all across the country, especially in the South and West. He is my g-g-g grandfather. As is evident from the will and probate, he died in Stewart County in 1825. Stephen Moody (contributor)
The Last Will and Testament of William Keel Sr. is recorded in Stewart Co. Will Book "B", page 63. This document is on microfilm roll #52, Stewart County Probate Records, in the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee.
In the name of God Amen I William Keel Senr of the State of Tennessee Stewart County being of a weak constitution and knowing the Mortality of Man that it is appointed for Man onse to Die but being of Sound Mind I do hereby make this my last Will and Testament revoking all other wills whatsoever. First I recommend my Soul to God who gave it and after my Decease my body to be Decently buried at the direction of my executors. As to my property or estate first all my lawful debts to be paid I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Mary Keel the tract of land on which I now live also all my personal property house and kitchen furniture to her during her Natural life to live and raise her family upon and after Decease the said land and what property She Shall leave to equally divided between my sons John Keel Nathaniel Keel and my son (sic) Elizabeth Keel. I also give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Allen and also to my son William Keel five Dollars each to be raised out of my state I do by these presents appoint my wife Mary Keel Executrix and my sons William Keel and John Keel my lawfull executors. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and offered my Seal this 28th day of May 1923.
his
William T Keel (seal)
mark
Test
Nathan Thomas
John Kizer
Joshua Walker
August Term 1825 This Will was proven in open court by the oath of Nathan Thomas and Joshua Walker and ordered to be recorded.
Test WWilliams
The following is a verbatim transcription of the last will and testament of Dewitt A. DAWSON, son of Solomon and Rachel (MERONEY) DAWSON. Dewitt Asbury DAWSON was born 13 Apr 1819, in Stewart County, and died unmarried on 09 Mar 1854. Since he had no direct issue, his will is particularly rich in genealogical information about his siblings, their spouses, and their children. Dewitt A. DAWSON is buried in the Jones Cemetery, on Standing Rock Creek, next to his parents' graves.
This is recorded in Stewart County Wills and Administrations, Volume XX, page 397.
Transcribed by Stephen Moody-August 1998
I, Dewit A. Dawson, of the County of Stewart and the Commonwealth of Tennessee being of sound mind memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and Testament in the manner following...that is to say...
1st I desire after my death that all of my just debts be paid out of the first moneys that may come into the hands of my Executors or Executor
2nd I desire that all my Real Estate together with my perishable property be sold on Twelve months credit or such credit as my Executor or Executors may think advisable
3rd I desire that after paying my death and Funeral expenses that the Balance of the proceeds of my Estate be in some safe way invested so to make Lawful Interest and the said Interest only to be used if needed in the maintenance of my mother during her natural Life and after the death of my mother I desire that fifty dollars be invested in some safe way for the Term of Ten years from and after the death of my mother. The Lawful Interest of said fifty dollars to be paid per annum in quartages to the Standing Rock Church of which I am a member and after the expiration of Ten years said fifty dollars to be paid over to the Board of foreign missions as missionary money.
4th I desire than thirty dollars or a further sum if necessary should be appropriated to procure good Tombs for my father and mothers graves
5th I give and bequeath unto Wesley Parker my sister's son the sum of one hundred dollars said sum of one hundred dollars to be placed in the hands of Alexander Andrews as Trustee for said Wesley Parker. Said Trustee to use said money for the purpose of deeding to Wesley Parker eighty acres of land in the Vicinity whre said Andrews becomes Settled and for no other purpose shall said Trustee use said money but incase said Wesley Parker shall die in his minority or intestate. Then and in that Event said eighty acres of land to be divided betwixt Alexander Andrews three sons (to wit:) Christopher & Pickney & Andrew. Each shall receive share and share alike.
6th It is my will that the person or persons who may be troubled with me in my last sickness be amply compensated for their Trouble out of the effects of my Estate as I desire to be taken Good care of
7th I will and bequeath unto my sister unto Metilda Andrews wife of John Andrews the sum of one dollar
8th I will and bequeath unto Elijah Dawson, Elisha Dawson, my sister Ruthey wife of Alexander Andrews, William P. Dawson, Rebecky Anderson, & Sary Boyte wife of Lemuel Boyte all the remaining portion of my Estate what sum ever it may be. Each to share and share alike
9th I hereby appoint Elijah Dawson & Elisha Dawson & William P. Dawson or Either of them my Executors or Executor
(signed) D.A. Dawson
Signed and acknowledged before us this February 7th 1854
Test: John McClish; J. W. Wofford
State of Tennessee}May Term 1854
Stewart County}The foregoing paper writing purporting to be the last will and Testament of D. A. Dawson deceased was proclaimed in open Court and the Execution thereof duly proven by the oath of John McClish and John W. Wofford subscribing witnesses thereto and the same is ordered to be Recorded.
Test: W. Cook, Clk.
Transcribed by Stephen W. Moody- August 1998
In my room Stewart County, Tennessee June 16th 6:30 A.M. 1894
To W.B.Pugh
I, knowing that a continuation (very Long) of my existance is very uncertain. I here by request and appoint you to act as my agent, in distributing the means of what I may have at my death, that I have not given to the parties heretofor.
Now as soon as convenient after my death, I wish you to take charge of all my notes and books, together with all monies that I may have at my death, and deliver the same as I have instructed you. I have transfered most of, or quite all of my notes to several parties so hand them over, to whom transfered and what money I have on hand, I wish you to hand over to Desmond Hargis (my son) to be used in paying my Doctor bill (if any) and the paying of my funeral expenses and the ballance, he is to dispose of as he may see proper. All of my open accounts of every kind that I may leave upon my Books, I hereby give to my son Desmond, the receipt give by him, I hereby declare to be valid except my accounts against W.R. Rose I hereby give to his daughter Adah and his son Desmond; accounts against F.A. Jones I give to Maria B. Wyatt and Lyza Morris. Be it known that I have heretofor transfered all my household and Stock and property, to Desmond Hargis and he was to care for and support me as long as I live. That will be all settled at my death. Now to refresh memory, of all concerned I state, that herefor I give my clock to my grand daughter Bulah, my old watch to Sidny, my open face watch to Lionel, my shot gun to Sidny, my mule Trigger I have heretofor given to Lionel, but he is not to trade her off as song as she lives, Now Willie note these instructions, these things, try and carry out, and all will be well, I do not mean this as a will to be probated in Court. If I continue to live long I may add to or deminish from this.
I now sign L. D. Hargis
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WALTER BOSWELL, DECEASED
shared by Brenda Gaines Gulick
Stewart co., TN Wills and administrations Book A pg. 184-185
I, William Hubbard, being of good mind and Memory but in a loss of health do make this my last will and testament, In God's name, Amen.
Item, It is my will that after my just debts are paid the proceeds of my property be distributed in the following manner to Wit;
Item, I leave unto my loving wife, Sally Hubbard, during her natural life, the plantation where she now lives. Also a negro girl, Amitey (?), and all my stock of horses, hogs and cattle and sheep Item, Any properties hereafter named I think not proper to sell, except for the big filly, I gave to my daughter, Nancy,her first colt that _ _. Item, It is my will that whenever one of my children married, each of them shall be found with a feather bed, a good colt and calf from the stock lent to my said wife.
And it is my will that any proctors hereafter named , I give power to rescind, in case my said wife shall marry again to keep the property from being destroyed. It is my will that the property plantation, thru my loving wife, shall be kept together for the benefit of my children under the direction of Thomas French and Dudley Williams who shall be appointed my executors. Item; It is also my will that _ at the death of my said wife, I give to my son , William Hubbard and his heirs forever after, the _ of my estate with it's increase. I will that it be divided equally between my several children at the death of my said wife. It is my will that the bay filly be kept in the family as a _ _.
Item; At the death of my said wife, my negro girl, Ansly's(sp?) increase should amount to a negro a piece for my children to have one each equally to valuation. Yet I will that if her increase is not sufficient to give my children a negro each then my son William is to replace the increase of Amity with an equal division of the stock.
Item; I give unto Pleasant Hubbard to be raised from my stock , a horse, saddle and bridle to be worth $100 in trade and mounts which are to be decided agreeably to _ _ in writing in the hands of Moses Larisy. It is my will that Pleasant Hubbard shall have a cows calf, delivered to him at the time the mentioned horse is delivered.
I have constituted And I ordained my loving friend, Thomas French and my loving friend Dudley Williams executors to this my last will and testament, likewise to my loving wife Sally Hubbard I have appointed my executor to my last will and testament given under my hand and sealed with my seal this fifth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eighteen hundred and thirteen.
Signed and acknowledged in the presents of witnesses; William Hubbard
Henry Pugh,
Johnathan May,
John Gilbert
November 1813 This instrument of writing was proven in open court by the oath of Henry Pugh and John Gilbert to the last will and testament of William Hubbard _ to be recorded B Cooper, Clrk
shared by Cleo Hogan
Stewart Co., TN, Record Book E, p. 293, Will of E. W. Williams:
I, E W Williams do make & Publish this as my last will & testament.
First, I desire my funeral expenses to be paid out of the first money that shall come into the hands of my executor.
Second, I direct that all my just debts be paid and that my executor place a suitable tombstone over my grave to cost not exceeding $100.00.
Third, I give and bequeath unto my son Gracey Williams, all my property, consisting of real, personal property & choses in action, absolutely, when he reaches the age of twenty five years, which will be Sept 1, 1923, but from the time of my death, til sd Gracey shall attain the age of twenty five years, my executor shall pay over to sd Gracey, only the income from my estate, & when sd Gracey shall reach sd age, I direct that my Extr shall deliver all sd property, to sd Gracey. It being my intention to pay to my sd son, the income from my estate, till he is 25 years of age & then at that date to turn over [the] corpus of my estate to my sd son.
But should my sd son die before he reaches the age of twenty five years, or before I do, I give & bequeath to Mrs. Annie? Nance, Miss Mamie Scarborough & Miss Mattie Scarborough, who have been kind to me, one hundred dollars each, also fifty dollars to Dabney Nance--also fifty dollars to Miss Mamie Boswell, also fifty dollars to Nathan Williams, my cousin, also fifty dollars to Mrs. Kate Coppedge (wife of John Coppedge).
I also direct that my Extr. place tomb stones at the graves of each member of mine & my father's family, buried in the old Williams grave yard on Cumberland River.
I also give to Mrs. Gle? Robinson fifty dollars. I also give to Miss Florence Robinson fifty dollars.
I give & bequeath all the balance of my estate not heretofore disposed of to the Board of Missions of the Christian Church of Tennessee, to be expended by sd. Board, in the Cause of religion in the County of Stewart, State of Tennessee.
Fourth, I nominate & appoint the Peoples Bank & Trust Co of Dover my Executor, to carry out the provisions of this my will.
Given under my hand this June 17th, 1914. [Signed:] E. W. Williams
Signed in our presence by the testator, June 17, 1914 & witnessed by us at his request. C. D. Scarborough, J. W. Rice.
Probate (1914): Stewart Co., TN: Personally appeared before me, J G. Robertson, Dpty County Court Clerk for sd County, C. D. Scarborough and J. W. Rice, the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will, who being first duly sworn; say that they were present at the execution of said will at the request of the testator and saw him sign and acknowledge the same to be his last will and testament, for the purposes therein set out. Witness my hand this July 17?, 1914, J. G. Robertson, Dpty Clk.
shared by Jim Long
Stewart County Archives Loose Papers, Will of James McCullough:
In the name of God Amen. I, James McCullough of the State of Tennessee and County of Stewart, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be God Almighty for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form as follows, that is to say, First - It is my will that Negroe woman named Cate should have her freedom. I do also give and bequeath unto my Negroe woman Cate ten acres of land during her natural life, including the house I live in and pasture. I also give unto my Negroe woman Cate all my household furnature Except one kettle and pott. I do also give my said Cate my Negroe my old gray mare & one cow with one years' provision. I do also will that all the residue of my property be sold and the money arising from the sail of my property be given to my son John McCullough. I do also give and bequeath to my son John McCullough, if he ever comes, ninety & a half acres of land in two tracts on Tennessee River, Stewart County.
I do also appoint Nathaniel Parker & Joseph B. Neville sole Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of October 1821.
James McCullough (seal)
witnesses:
Albert Brigham
Hannah Kitts
shared by Jim Long
Stewart County Archives Loose Papers, Will of Henry Meazles:
In the name of God, Amen. I, Henry Meazles, of the County of Stewart, State of Tennessee, being sensible of the mortality of my body, and touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life. I give, dismiss and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First, I desire that all my just debts and funeral charges shold be paid at the discretion of my executors. Secondly, I lend to my beloved wife Winiford Meazles all my estate, consisting of real and personal, agreeable to what I shall hereafter mention. I wish my executors to sell after my death such property as my wife thinks she cannot keep without waisting, and the money arising from such sale to be put to the best use for my children, and if my wife should marrie again, it is my will that Mills Meazles should have two Dollars. Item: it is my will that Hardy Meazles should have sixty Dollars. Item: it is my will that my son Henry Meazles should have my upper tract of land, lying on Cane Creek, containing three hundred and twenty acres more or less. Item: it is my wish that my three Negroes should be equally divided between my four daughters: Sely the wife of Arthur Pitt. Item: Winiford who is now single and Nancy the wife of Wiley Pitt. Item: and Fany and ten Dollars to Sely Pitt. Item: it my wish that Winiford should have sixty Dollars besides. Item: it is my wish that Nancy Pitt should have forty two Dollars beside. Item: it is my wish that Fany Meazles should have sixty Dollars besides her part of the Negroes. Item: it is my wish that Steven Meazles should have my lower tract of land lying on Cane Creek, containing three hundred and twenty acres more or less. Item: it is my wish for my wife to live on it her life time and tend the old grounds ?? ?? ?? ???? ground down to the shugar camp, square across east and west, and is my wife should marry at any time after my death, I wish her to third my land untill her death, and then Steven to have the whole of the lower tract. Also, Steven to have the two rifle guns. Item: Henry Meazles the son of Hardy Meazles to have the shot gun. Item: and at the death of my wife then sell the ballance and the money equally divided among Hardy, Sealy, Henry, Winiford, Nancy, Fany, Steven above mentioned, and constitute and appoint my wife, son Hardy and Steven Meazles my Executors to this my last will and testment. Witness whereof I have set my hand and set my hand and seal this 26th of Sept. 1822.
Henry Meazles
Signed, sealed and acknowledged
in the presence of us
John Phillips
Robert (x) Rainwaters
Proven by Jno. Phillips and the mark of the other witness, proven and order to take deposition of Rainwaters
A true copy from the original file in my office. Test: R. Cooper, Clk.