WILL OF JOHN H. GILLIAM OF SUMNER COUNTY,
TENNESSEE
Son of James and Frances (Hopkins) Gilliam
The nuncupative (oral) will of John H. Gilliam, Decd.
Stephen R. Gilliam, Squire Brown, Saml. Massey and William Colwell after being legally sworn in open court depose and say that the following is the nuncupative will of John H. Gilliam declared and published by him on his last sickness on 27th day of January 1840. And that they were specially required to bear witness thereto by the testator - to wit in the county of Sumner to wit -
1st I wish all my just debts paid in the first place.
2nd I give and bequeath all the balance of my estate both real and personal to my wife Lucy Gilliam during her life to be enjoyed at her discretion - and at her death what of sd. estate which shall remain to be equally divided between his the sd. John H. Gilliams children and in the case of the death of any of his children their heirs to represent their deceased parent or in testate - and receive their portions.
Witnesses Present
S.R. Gilliam
Squire Brown
Samuel Morris
William Culwell
A photocopy of the original will was received from Sumner Co, TN Archives. An undated accompanying sheet reads: "Nuncupative Will of John H. Gilliam - No Record - Enter this in file upon minutes."
John H. Gilliam died prior to May 1, 1840, when an estate sale was held in Sumner County. His son, James Gilliam, was administrator of the estate.