I FREDERIC WATKINS of the county of SUMNER and State of TENNESSEE, do make and publish this my last will and testament.
(First) I direct that my funeral expences [sic] and all my just debts be paid as soon as possible, out of any money that I may die possest [sic] of or may first come into the hands of my Executor.
(Secondly) I direct that each one of my children that have not had bed and furniture to have one before the sale.
(Thirdly) I direct that my land on which I now live, lying in district No. 10 and all my perishable property be sold either publicly or privately as my executor may think best after consulting with friends.
(Fourthly) I direct that my five Daughters be paid one hundred dollars each.
(Fifthly) I direct that the ballance [sic] of the proceeds of my estate be equally divided between my eight Children, AMELIA V. WATKINS one eights, LOUISA L. COLLIER one eights, JULIUS F. WATKINS one eights, HENRIETTA E. LATIMER one eights, SOPHIA A. BRIDGES one eights, ORVILLE C. WATKINS one eights, ELIZA D. GILLESPIE one eights, CHARLES W. WATKINS one eights, I will to the above named heirs their several portions during their natural life and at their death to their bodily heirs if they have any, if not to be equally divided between those that are living.
(Sixly) I direct that the amount I have charged against any of my heirs to be counted as part of their distribution share.
(Lastly) I nominate and appoint JULIUS F. WATKINS my executor without security to this my
last will and testament. In witness whereof I do, to this my will, set my hand and seal, this the 6th
day of December 1870.
Test
FREDERIC WATKINS (Seal)
State of TENNESSEE
SUMNER COUNTY Court. Dec (1st) Term 1877.
A proper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of FREDERICK WATKINS dec'd
was this day produced in open court for probate when ELIJAH HARRIS and REUBEN
DOUGLASS personally appeared and being duly sworn , depose and say they are well acquainted
with the signature and handwriting of FREDERICK WATKINS dec'd and that this aforesaid Will
and the signature to the same is in the genuine hand writing of said FREDERICK WATKINS
dec'd and C.W. WATKINS being sworn says that he found said papers, it is therefore ordered by
the Court that said will be recorded.
Copy attest
JESSE CAGE, Clerk
State of TENNESSEE
SUMNER COUNTY Court - Sept. (14th) Term 1878.
A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of FREDERICK WATKINS dec'd
was this day produced in open court for probate when ELIJAH HARRIS, RICHARD E.
DOUGLASS, and REUBEN DOUGLASS personally came, and being duly sworn, depose, and
say that the handwriting of FREDERICK WATKINS is genuinally [sic] known by his
acquaintances - and that they verily believe the paper writing dated 26th day of Dec. 1870, and
purporting to be the will of FREDERICK WATKINS and every part of it, is in the hand writing
of FREDERICK WATKINS - And C.W. WATKINS being duly sworn - deposed and said that
said paper writing was found after the death of FREDERICK WATKINS among the valuable
papers of said FREDERICK WATKINS. It is therefore ordered by the court that said will be
recorded. Copy test.
O. H. FOSTER, Clerk
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