Source: Sumner County Tennessee, Will Book Vol. 4, pages 17 -20
I Mrs. Ann A. Gass of Gallatin Tennessee in view of the uncertain of life do make and declare this my last Will and testament. I give and bequeath to my sons James A. Gass and John Gass or to the survivor thereof at my decease all my estate real and personal and mixed which I may have or be entitled to at the time of my decease - whether in law or equity - intending that the absolute title thereof and to every part thereof shall be at once vested in them or him by virtue of this Will at my decease.- yet in trust - that they or he shall as soon as practicable after my death collect all debts owing to my estate - and shall also by sale public or private at discretion on reasonable terms convert all my property and effects into money and that from the proceeds after paying my general expenses and all my just debts - they or he shall pay first to my unmarried daughters - they both surviving me and remaining unmarried; the sum of thirty eight hundred dollars to be divided equally between them - & if there shall only remain one of them unmarried surviving me - then that they or he shall pay to such unmarried daughter -(me)? surviving the whole of said thirty eight hundred dollars - and that they or he shall divide the residue of the proceeds of my estate equally among all my children - each & all taking share and share alike - And if any be deceased - then the child or children of such deceased child if any taking the parents share - and if any one or more of my daughters shall at my death be a widow she may at her election by adding the excess of the value of all her effects, (real property personal and mixed) over two thousand dollars to the said fund of thirty eight hundred dollars of my estate. above set apart for the unmarried daughters or daughter - have a joint fund created to consist of that thirty eight hundred dollars from my estate and such excess of said widows effect over two thousand dollars - and such widow may share said joint fund so constituted with the unmarried daughters or daughter share and share alike. In such case said trustees or trustee shall pay and apportion said thirty eight hundred dollars accordingly and shall judge & fix the value of such widows effect - and may require her to make her election in thirty days whether she will ask for a share of said fund on the above terms. The above appointments do not arise from and want of equal love for any of my dear children - but are prompted by the more dependent condition of unmarried daughters.
I appoint my said sons or the survivor thereof my Executors or Executor.
Witness my seal & signature at Gallatin in presence of two witnesses this 3rd day of May A.D.
1870.
(signed) Ann A. Gass
Witnesses names.
I. W. Harris
Isaac Harris
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court September Term 1871
The last will and testament of Mrs. Ann A. Gass dec'd was this day produced in open Court for
probate and was duly proven by the oaths of Isaac W. Harris one of the subscribing witnesses
thereto which was ordered to be recorded. John Gass one of the Executors named in the Will
appeared in open court and accepted the execution of the same. It is therefore ordered by the
Court that John Gass be appointed executor of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and
credits of Ann A. Gass and there upon said John Gass together with his securities T. J. Holder and
F. Hay Gass appeared in open Court and entered into and acknowledged their bond to the State
of Tennessee in the penal sum of fourteen thousand dollars conditioned according to law and said
John Gass was duly qualified.
Copy Attest Jesse Cage Clerk