Will of Richard Martin
Signed 14-May-1846, recorded December 1846
Transcribed by Danene Vincent, February 1998
Source: Will Book III, p. 67-69 (Microfilm)
In the name of God Amen.
Know all men by these presents that I Richard Martin of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee knowing the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life have thought proper to make and publish my last Will and Testament and by these presents do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following to wit.
I will my Soul to God who gave it and my body to a decent Christian burial.
I wish all my past debts and funeral expenses paid.
I loan to my wife Sally Martin during her natural life or widowhood, all what is called my home tract of Land including what is called Dorris (?) and the Mc____ (?) places, My Negro woman Milly and her increase and a boy named Tommy (?), all my household and kitchen furniture as much of my Stock of all kinds as she may choose to keep all my farming utencils, and all the corn, wheat, oats, fodder and wheat, which I may be seized of at my decease, and the _____ hereinafter provided
4th I wish my negro boy Alexander sold or hired out as may be thought best by my wife & Executor
5th I wish all the rest of my estate sold and the money equally divided between my children to wit: Henry Martin, Soloman Martin, Seytha R. West, Jemima Hodges, Hanna Martin, Azeriah Martin, Richard Martin, Sarah J. Martin, and Louis Martin or their bodily heirs if either of them should be dead It is however to be understood that my Executor is to hold the moneys paid until they become of age.
6th I wish my wife to portion off the younger children as they shall have need as nearly as she can with those older ones which have been portioned off out of the household & Stock
7th At the death or Marriage of My wife Sally Martin I wish all my estate real and perishable sold on a credit of 12 months and the money divided among my children agreeable to the provision, in the 5th Itim in this instrumint.
8th Whereas, it is uncertain where my son Solomon Martin is or whether is living at all (?) therefore I wish My Executor to take & hold his parts both of the first and last sales, say ten years if he should not sooner hear from him or his proper representative or representatives for his bodily heirs Then if not, I wish his part loaned to the rest of my children in equal ______, except Seytha R. West is is my wish for good and sufficient reasons that she never realize one cent of his part lacking good Security with refunding obligations to refund the same to the said Solomon Martin or his bodily heirs, if they should ever apply for the Same.
9th I hereby appoint Meredith Hodges my Executor of this my last will and Testament.
10th I hereby revoke all former wills by me heretofore made certifying and confirming this my last will and Testament In making this I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, the 14th day of May 1846.
Signed and acknowledged in our presence and tested by us at the request of the Testator in his presence
Richard Martin
Seal
J. H. Coats
James E. Reddick
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court December Term 1846
The last will and Testament of Richard Martin decd was this day produced in Open Court for probate and was duly proved by the Oaths of A. H. Coats and James E. Reddick Subscribing witnesses thereunto which is ordered by the Court to be recorded.