Source: Sumner County Tennessee, Will Book Vol. 5, pages 6 - 8
In the name of God Amen. I Mary Flitcher Crenshaw, being of sound mind ans disposing memory, do make and publish this as my last Will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all other by me at any time made.
First: I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any monies that I may die possessed of, or may first come into the hands of my executor.
Secondly: I give and bequeath to each of my grandchildren herein named to wit: Claud E. Perkins, Effie May Perkins, Eunice Andrew, Thomas Andrew, Charles Andrew, Minnie Andrew, Willis Andrew, Lezzie Brown, William Brown, Emma Brown, Bennetta Brown, Lillie Brown, Reubie Brown, and to infant daughter of Margaret Matilda Brown, to Octavia Brown, Thomas Brown, Eunice Brown, Oscar Smith, Johnetta Smith, and Mamie Martin, the sum of Fifty Dollars, said sum of fifty dollars to be paid by my executor, directly to each of my said grand children who may be sixteen years old or past, or who shall be sixteen years old when my executor comes to pay the same over, and to the parent, or parents of such grand children as may not be sixteen years old when my executor comes to pay the same over, to be held in trust by such parent, or parents for such child, or children, until said grand child, or grand children shall arrive at the age of sixteen years, and then as each of such grand children arrives at the age of sixteen years, his or her fifty dollars are to be paid over to him or to her. In the event that any of my grand children herein named and to whom a bequest of fifty dollars is herein made should die before reaching the age of sixteen years, then the fifty dollars herein bequeathed to such child or grand children so dying is bequeathed to and shall go to the surviving grand children, herein named, who may be or shall live to be sixteen years old, that is to say the original fifty dollars with its accrued, or accruing shares of the grand children so dying shall go to the survivors who are, or shall arrive at the age of sixteen years, under the provisions of this Will.
Third: After paying my debts and the bequeies (sic) set out in the second item of this will. I give and bequeath the entire remainder of my property including my household and Kitchen furniture equally share and share alike, to each of my five children, Margaret Matilda Brown, Lucretia Ann Perkins, Sarah Jane Andrew, Johnetta Smith, Mary Elizabeth Martin and to my grand-daughter Mamie Martin, or to their heirs or representives if any be dead, the children of the child dying taking her one sixth. But if my grand daughter, Mamie Martin should die before she reaches the age of twenty one years, then I give and bequeath her one sixth interest after her death to my five children above named, equally, or to their representives, but if the said Mamie Martin lives to be twenty one years old her one sixth as above bequeath shall be hers absolutely and no advancements are to be charged against any child.
Fourth: I hereby nominate and appoint Dr. Thos. M. Woodson as the executor of this my last will and testament and direct that he be not required to give bond or security for the execution of this will.
Fifth: I hereby direct and authorize and empower my said executor, as soon after my death as practicable to sell my real estate wherever situated either publicly or privately and on such terms and for such price as he may deem fair and best, and to make deeds to the same tp purchases, and out of the proceeds of the same together with any monies, notes or other property left after paying my funeral exspenses and debts, pay the legacies as herein, heretofore set out.
Sixth: It is my earnest wish and desire that the division of my estate as herein set out shall be
made
peaceally and quitly and without any trouble. In witness whereof I do to this my will and set my
hand, this the 6th day of February 1891.
(Signed) M. F. Crenshaw
Signed and published in our presence and we have subscribed our names hereto in the presence of
the testatrix, this the 6th day of February 1891
L.M. Woodson
A.M. Woodson
Jas. W. Blackmore
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court April Term, April 30th 1891
A paper writing purposting to be the last Will and Testament of Mrs. M.F. Crenshaw dec'd was
this day produced in open Court for probate and duly proven by the oaths of L.M. Woodson and
James
W.
Blackmore two subscribing witness thereto when it received by the Court and ordered recorded
as said last
Will and Testament of Mrs. M.F. Crenshaw dec'd and Thos. M. Woodson being named in said
will as the
Executor thereof and being excused from giving bond as such appeared in open Court and
accepted said
appointment and was duly qualified, and letters Testamentory thereof issued to him.
A True Copy
Atest; Harris Brown Clerk