Source: Sumner County Tennessee, Will Book Vol. 5, pages 46 - 48
page 46
I, Mary G. Harris being about the age of seventy five and having already passed the age of three score and ten, do this day make this my last Will and Testament concerning my earthly effects.
1st - It is my will that after death that my body be buried in the burying ground at my son-in-law's Marion Stewarts beside that of my deceased husband's grave.
2nd - I will to my son Dr. R. C. Harris all of my real estate consisting of about one hundred acres of land more or less lying in Sumner County Tennessee and on the head water of Draper's branch and bounded by the lands of Dr. James Head and McAdanis heirs, Dol. Hunter, Rodney Durham, Bryson heirs and Rogan heirs.
This land I have reserved in former donations or gifts to my children made through my husband for the purpose of taking care of me in my old age and in willing it to my son Dr. R. C. Harris I do so not because I think more of him than I do of my other children but for the consideration of his living with me and taking care of me in my old age and furthermore I will it to him with the following proviso. as herein mentioned he is to first pay all my debts, Dr. bills, burial expenses and place or have placed over my grave head and foot stone similar in size and quality to those over my deceased husband's grave. Those expenses which will naturally accrue he can pay off by selling off what live stock I may have of my own and if there should not be enough to pay all expenses he is to either pay the balance out of his own funds or out of the land herein named. This I leave optionary with himself. The above gifts is to take place after my death. I also have some old family relics which I want to be kept in my family not for their value but for mere [pg 47] keepsakes.
First I want Leonora Dickinson to have my cherry bureau which was my mother's made by her oldest brother John Gillispie in 1808, also a Cherry Press.
Second - I want Bettie Green Brown to have my walnut bureau made by the same John Gillispie in 1826 for myself, also a candle stand. I want Lucy Harris to have a wardrobe which was made for her. I want Tyree B. Harris to have a pair of side tables. I want George G. B. Harris to have my bookcase. I want John B. Harris to have my side board. I want Russel C. Harris to have my clock which was my mother's given to her at her marriage by her father George Gillispie in 1810 also a small dressing table which was his father's. I want my daughter Malvina to have my center table and a bedstead. I also will my daughter Betty Green Brown my large copper kettle and also eight large silver spoons in place of new ones which her father intended to give her as he did his other girls if she is willing to take them. I also will one feather bed to George Brown my grandson and pillows one pair. Also one feather bed and one pair pillows to Anna Stewart my granddaughter. Also one feather bed to George G. B. Harris and one pair pillows to the same. Also one feather bed and one pair pillows to Tyree B. Harris my son. I leave one of my large mirrors to Leonora Dickinson and one of them to Bettie G. Brown. There is a good many things not mentioned in this writing which I want divided among my children and if it does not suit any of them to take that is any of the things I have named for them they can leave them with some of the other heirs that wants them. I have marked the bed clothing I intended for them with their initials on each piece. Now I hope you all will be satisfied with the division I have made . I have not much earthly treasure to leave you but such as I have I give unto you. That is a mothers love and prayers that you may live(this marked out) all meet in that land of rest prepared for those who love and serve our Heavenly Father. This the 16th of Feb. 1888.
Mary G. Harris
Robert Bryson
Richard Alexander
[pg 48]
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court October Term Oct. 31st 1892.
A paper writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Mrs. Mary G. Harris
deceased was this day produced in open Court for probate when the same was duly proven by the
oath of Robert Bryson one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, the other witness Richard
Alexander being dead when the same was ordered recorded as said last Will and Testament of
said Mary G. Harris deceased.
A true copy.
Attest
Harris Brown Clerk