In the Name of God Amen: I William Cage Senr. of the County of Sumner and State of
Tennessee, do make this my last will and testament in the manner and form as follows to
wit,
First
I resign my body to the earth from whence it came to be buried decently by my executors
hereafter named.
Secondly
I give and bequeth to my wife Elizabeth the three negroes I got with her to wit, Zack Ben
and Elige with the rest of the property that came with her, and should it be her choice to
live on the plantation I wish her to have a third of it during her natural life and I earnestly
enjoin it to all my children to treat her as a kind mother.
Thirdly
I give unto my son Joseph Cage the plantation whereon I now live after my youngest
children come to the age of seventeen years and in case of my death it is my desire that my
son Reuben Cage should take my plantation whereon I now live together with the negroes
stock and all that pertaineth to the said place to raise my children and to give them good
educations to keep them in a decent manner, and give them when he thinks them old
enough out of my property a good horse saddle and bridle.
4thly
I give to my daughter Betsy a negro girl named Caroline.
5thly
I give to my daughter Patsey a negro girl named Mahold.
6thly
I give unto my son-in-law Jack Carr a negro woman named Peg.
7thly
I give unto my son Loftain a negro man named Major.
8thly
I give unto my son Edward a negro girl named Mary.
9thly
I give unto my son-in-law William Hale my negroes Peter and Eads during said Hale and
his wife's lifetimes and the death of said Hale and wife they are to go to Jesse Cage.
10thly
I give unto my son Richard a negro boy named Charly.
11thly
I give unto my son Albert a negro boy named Lewis.
12thly
I give unto my sons Harry & Robert my negro boys Tom and Clint at the discretion of my
Executors.
13th
I give unto Nancy Cage the daughter of Reuben Cage the first child that Eads or Mary has
if any.
14th
I give unto Cyrus Hale son of William Hale, the second child that Eads or Mary may have,
and in case of the death of Cyrus without heir, then William and Priscilla is to have said
child if any.
15th
If there should be any negroes remaining in the family at the division that are not disposed
of they are to be given to my children that are most needy at the discretion of my
Executors.
16th
I give to my son Loftaine two hundred acres of land on Clinch River.
17th
I desire that any bonds that may be found amongst my papers when collected may be
applied to the support of my family by my Executors and that all my household and
kitchen furniture, stock and farming utensils be also applied to the support of my said
family. It is understood that the before mentioned property is to be in the posession of
Reuben Cage until the youngest child arrives at the age of seventeen for the support of
said family, at which time it is to be divided as before discribed.
18th
I constitute and appoint my sons Wilson, Reuben and Jesse Cage my whole and sole
Executors of this my last will and testament.
19th
It is my desire that my tract of land on Duck River containing three hundred and twenty
acres should be sold and Harry's education completed out of the sale of said land, and the
balance if any applied to the support of my family.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 15th day of May 1811.
William Cage (seal)
signed sealed and acknowleged in the presence of us
W. Gillispie
Griswold Latimer
Allan Cage