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I Melzar Schluter of the County of Sumner & State of Tennessee, do make and publish this as my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made.
First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any money that I may die possessed of or may first come into the hands of my Executor or Executrix.
2nd. After all my just debts are paid as provided above then I will and bequeath to my beloved wife S. G. Schluter all my real and personal property and effects to hold and control during her natural life for her sole bebefit and the benefit of my son Augustus Garwood Schluter at the death of my wife S. G. Schluter, I direct that all of my property both real and personal be turned over to my son A. G. Schluter and others should there be any others I also direct and request my wife S. G. S. to give too each of my sisters J. G. Hale of Texas and C. A. Woodward of Sumner County five hundred dollars each out of my estate so soon as convenient to do so this is provided we have no other heirs besides A. G. Schluter should we be unfortunate as to loose our beloved son Augustus G. Schluter and leave no other heirs I then direct and request my beloved wife to give whatever amount of my estate that may be left at her death to my two sisters J. G. H. and C. a. Woodward and my Nephew Melzar Schluter to be equally divided [pg 259] between them. If our beloved son should live I wish him to be well educated.
I do nominate and appoint my wife S. G. Schluter my Executrix without bond or security.
In witness whereof I do to this my will set my hand and seal, this April 15 1877
(signed) M. Schluter
Signed sealed and publish in our presence and we have subscribed our names to in the presence of
the Testator. This April 5 1877 (note, date as written)
Test
F. D. Blakemore
John W. Knight