Note : A copy of the written will and a transcription was provided to us by John W. Robinson, Sr.
In the name of God Amen
I Nathan Edwards of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee knowing that all men must
die, and having at this time a sound disposing mind & memory do think propper to make &
establish this my last will and testament & thereby revoking all wills heretofore made by me. My
boddy I Resign to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner & my soul to the
God that gave it._____
All of my property both Real & personal that I possess or may possess at my death I wish to be
sold (excepting what I shall hereafter otherwise dispose of) by my Executors and the proceeds
thereof distributed in the following manner to witt: In the first place I wish all my Just debts to be
paid. I then will that my daughter Pricilla Edwards, my son James Edwards, my son Little Berry
Edwards, my daughter Sally Hassell, my son William Edwards & my son Thomas C. Edwards and
their heirs shall have three hundred dollars each and in lieu of the three hundred dollars which I
have given to the children as above named I give unto my daughters Patience Edwards & Lovy
Cotton the following negroes to wit: to my daughter Patience Edwards & her heirs my negro girl
named Silvy & my negro girl named Jane. And to my daughter Lovy Cotton and her heirs I give
my negro girl named Harriett. I then wish the remainder if any after paying the sums heretofore
named to be divided equally amongst all my children - share & share alike. I hereby nominate and
appoint Little Berry Edwards, Thomas J. Edwards, Asa Hassell & Moore Cotton Executors to
this my last will & testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this, the
first day of June in 1826.
Assigned in presence of us; Nathan Edwards
Arthur Cotton
Benj. McCarliss
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court May term 1831
The last will & testament of Nathan Edwards decd was exhibited in open court & duly proved by
the Oaths of Arthur Cotton & Benjamin McCarliss the Subscribing Witnessess thereto & ordered
to be recorded & thereupon Littleberry Edwards & Asa Hassell two of the Executors therein
named appeared in Court and with William Cantrell & Benjamin McCarliss their securities entered
into & acknowledged their bond to the Governor in the sum of six thousand dollars conditional as
the law directs.
I took the oath of Exors prescribed by law.
A copy list A. H. Douglass Clerk
of said Court
Recorded in Book B
page 137