Source: Sumner County Tennessee, Will Book Vol. 4, pages 1 - 3
In the name of God Amen. I R.E. Dowell do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other wills made by me at any time void.
Clause 1st. As soon after my death as possible I desire that all my just debts be paid out of any monies or property that I die possessed of. My Executor will attend to this, he will pay all borrowed moneys first.
Clause 2nd. After the payment of my just debts as provided in Clause first - I will and bequeath to my beloved wife M.E. Dowell the lot upon which we now live with all of the improvements, the lot was given to her by her Father Dr. Drane and I placed all the improvements upon the same said house and lot is to be hers absolutely to do with as she may choose so far as I may be interested in the same.
Clause 2nd. All of my household and kitchen furniture I like wise give to my beloved wife to be hers absolutely also my sorrel buggy horse, and buggy if she desires the same, which she will make known to my Executor upon my death, but if my wife should not wish said horse and buggy and desires her interest in proceeds of their sale, then my Executor will sell them with my other personal property as I shall hereafter direct.
Clause 4th. My Store House on the public Square in Gallatin, I give and bequeath to my two little sons W.P. Dowell and R.E. Dowell to belong to them jointly and equally. My Executor will rent the same out for them and collect the rents so long as he thinks it to their interest that the same should be rented out, if however after he has tried renting he in his sound judgement and discretion should be of the opinion that it would be best to sell the same and convert it into money, then I direct him to sell the same to the best advantage and the monies arrising from the renting or sale.He, my said Executor will invest for them in whatever he thinks safest and most to their interest. If the house should have to be sold then my Executor is authorized to make deed to the purchaser.
Clause 5th. My Executor as soon as he can will have my business in Gallatin and at Fountain Head closed up. Having it do(sic done) in such manner as he thinks best, having all my accounts collected and personal property of every kind sold except the horse and buggy and household and kitchen furniture as before directed and when collected and thus converted into money, he will divide the same equally between my beloved wife W.E. Dowell, W.P. Dowell and R.E. Dowell my little boys.
Clause 6th. When my life insurance policy is paid of five thousand dollars then my Executor will divide the proceeds of same equally between my wife W.E. Dowell and my two sons W.P. & R.E. Dowell.
Clause 7th. I direct my Executor to sell all my personal property such as stock of goods, horses and wagon and such other personality as is the subject of sale not heretofore bequeathed, privately if he can, if not he will then sell publicly.
Clause 8th. My Executor will collect all debts due in as soon as he can after my death.
Clause 9th. I nominate and appoint Wm. F. Summers my Executor to this my last Will and
testament and
M.S. Elkins my Attorney to attend to such legal business as is necessary to wind up and settle my
business
after my Executor has settled and wound up my estate as heretofore directed he will hand over to
P.E.
Drane the interest of my two little boys in my estate. I hereby appointing P.E. Drane their
Guardian. All
erasures ( ? ) before signing this 10th Oct., 1870
(signed) R. E. Dowell
Test
W.C. Knight
C.B. King In the presence of R.E. Dowell Testator
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Oct 14th 1870
Will and testament of R.E. Dowell was this day produced in open Court for probate and duly
proven by the
oaths of C.B. King and W.C. Knight subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
W.F.
Summers having been appointed Executor in said Will appeared in open Court and accepted the
same and
said W.F. Summers together with his securities Mat. J. Lucas and P.E. Drane appeared in open
court and
entered into and acknowledged their bond to the State of Tennessee in the penal sum of Twenty
Thousand
Dollars conditioned as the law directs and thereupon said W.T. Summers was duly qualified.
Test (signed) Jesse Cage Clerk