The will of John McMurry dated 6 July 1820 is reproduced here for its general interest and the listing of the children of John.
"In the name of God, Amen. I John McMurry, a citizens of the County of Sumner, and State of Tennessee, being in a low state of health, but of sound mind and memory, well knowing the uncertainty of life and certainty of death do make, ordain, publish and declare the following to be my last will and testament.
In the first place I leave to my beloved wife, Elizabeth McMurry, the entire use and enjoyment of the following property during her life vigil. A sufficient support of the plantation where I now live, together with Phillis and Milly, two negro woman, the gray mare and colt, two cows and two calves, two feather bed and furniture, the cupboard and kitchen furniture, six sheep.
Item: I give James McMurry, one negro boy named Mitchell together with the woman and children she has had heretofore.
Item: I give David McMurry, the property he has received of me heretofore.
Item: I give to my daughter, Peggy McMurry, Violet, her child, and a boy named Andy, together with two feather beds and furniture, one black man, two cows, and if she dies without an heir the said property to be John McMurry's and his mothers.
Item: I give to my son, Samuel McMurry, the land he now lives on, running as the crop fence now runs to where the branch crosses the fence then down the branch to Bains line, with Hannah and her children. George excepted lien on money that he has had of me heretofore.
Item: I give to my daughter Betsy, Rhitton (sp) and Peter, two Negroes, during her life to do as she and her husband see cause forever.
Item: I give my son, John McMurry, the land whereon I now live, except during her life. I also give to my son, John McMurry, one negro man named Jacob to be his, his heirs, and assigns forever, on condition that John McMurry support his mother and sister Peggy agreeably, and he also support two old Negroes, Jane and Hector, by their labor as long as they are able to labor, and then till death. I also give my son John one negro girl named Sally together with the two Negroes, George and Herman, that I have given him a deed of gift for heretofore. I also give my son, John McMurry, the new wagon and gear and all the plantation utensils, still, and blacksmith tools, to be his and his heirs forever.
Item: I give to my daughter Eleanor McKissock (sp), Phillis and Fender (sp) with their increase theretofore and hereafter, which Negroes the said Eleanor and Robert McKissick has received into possession.
Item: I give in addition to what I heretofore named, to my beloved wife our negro girl named Tilda to her and hers forever. The Negroes and above property named as lent also to be my wife's property to dispose of as her own and to belong to her and her heirs and assignees forever, the land only excepted which I freely give to my son, John McMurry, after the death of his mother.
Item: I leave in addition to what I have given my daughter, Betsy, one negro girl which she has now in possession named Daisy, during her life and after her death I give the said Negro to my son John McMurry.
Item: In addition to what I have given and lent to my wife, son John, and daughter Peggy, I also leave them a negro boy named Vincent for the support of them till the death of my wife, and after the death of my wife I give him to my son John, his heirs and assigns forever. I also give my son, John McMurry, my stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, that I have not disposed of - also the whiskey is to be sold for the use of wife, John McMurry and Peggy McMurry.
Item: My wish and desire is that my executors, hereafter named sell my old wagon and gig and other property not willed, and pay my just debts, collect debts due me, and if any money left, let it go to the support of the family. Lastly I nominate and appoint my two sons, Samuel McMurry and John McMurry, sole executors of this my last will, severing all others by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 6th. day of July one thousand eight hundred and twenty, signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said John McMurry to be his last will and testament. In the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names.
his
John X McMurry Seal
Mark
B. Neal
Wm. Buntin
Wm. Giving
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court, August four 1820
The last will and testament of John McMurry, decd. was produced in court for probate and the same duly proved by the oath of B. Neal and William Bunting, subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded, and thereupon Samuel McMurry and John McMurry, executors named in said will appeared in court and qualified as such by taking the oath of an executor as prescribed by law - whereupon the same Samuel McMurry and John McMurry, executors as above said with William Bunting and Thomas Anderson their securities entered into and acknowledged there penalty of five thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs.
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