Source: Sumner County, Tennessee Will Book 2, page 260
In the name of God, Amen:
I John Mattox of Sumner County State of Tennessee being of sound mind and perfect
understanding do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the manner and form
following, viz.
Item 1st. It is my wish and desire that my executors pay out of my estate all of my just debts.
Item 2nd. I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Mary after paying my just debts, the whole of my estate both real and personal to be kept together for her use and benefit and to raise and school my children during her natural life or widowhood in case she should marry again, I wish the court to grant unto my executors an order to sell all my land and giveing unto my loving wife Mary a childs part of my whole estate and divide the remaining part of my estate equally between all of my living children. to have and to hold for them and their heirs forever. further in case my wife or widow should not marry again at the close of her natural life I wish the Court to grant an order to sell off my land and the money arising from such with the balance of my estate to be equally divided between all of my living children. I leave my loving wife Mary my Executrix with James Butler Executor to my last will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 13 day of September 1839.
John Mattox (seal)
Signed in the presence of
Samuel Cochran Senior
Joseph Smith
J. B. Brizendine
Mathew (his X mark) Perdue
Eli Perdue
State of Tennessee Sumner County Court October Term 1839
The last Will and Testament of John Maddox deceased was produced in open Court for probate
and was duly proved by the oaths of J. B. Brizendine and Eli Purdue two of the Subscribing
witnesses thereto and thereupon Mary Mattox the Executrix therein named appeared in open
Court and together with James Butler, James B. Brizendine and Eli Purdue here securities entered
into and acknowledged their bond to Newton Cannon Governor in the penal sum of Four
thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs and took the oath of Executrix prescribed by law.
Copy Test.
Thos. Donoho clk