I James Stratton Senr do make and publish this as my last will and Testament hereby breaking and making void all other wills by me at any time heretofore made- First I give to my dearly beloved wife Dicy Stratton eight hundred dollars out of the sale of my land the money to remain in the hands of my Executors and the Interest to be paid her annully except two hundred dollars which she can dispose of by will as she may see proper) I also give her five negros namly Peter, Jacob, Bob and Lizzy and child,John during her natural life and I also give her so much of my household and kitchen furniture as she may choose to take to be disposed of by her as she may see fit. and I like wise give her our house, her choice briddle and saddle and Buggy provided I have one at my death and should my wife at any time become disatisfyed with living about amoung her children she may receive from my Executors the eight hundred dollars in their hands for the purpose of buying her a home. Second I have heretofore executed to my son Thomas J Stratton of Lebanon a ? a Bill of Sale for a negro girl named Ann for the use of my son William Stratton and his wife which Bill of Sale I hereby ratify and confirm. Third I give to my son Edward a negro boy named Henry. Fourth I give to my son James a negro boy named Anthony. Fifth I give to my daughter Frances Irland a negro woman named Caley and her children. Sixth I give to my son Richard a negro boy named Gilbert. Seventh I give to my son Thomas J a negro boy named Harry, who has since died and one hundred and fifty dollars in cash that his share may equal the others. Eighth I give to my daughter Letitia Stratton one hundred dollars in cash having heretofore given her a negro named Jane- Ninth I give to my daughter Martha Ann Adams one hundred dollars in cash having heretofore given her a negro girl named Mary. Tenth I give to my granddaughter Mary I Latimer when she attains the age of fifteen years Twenty-five dollars in cash and an feather bed stead and furniture in addition to the negro decreed to her by the Chancery Court Eleventh I give to my sons wife Frances Stratton the tract of land whereon my son lived at the time of his death for the use of herself and their children, to be sold at her death and the proceeds divided amongst all the children, or at any time after the second child comes of age, should she ? it best for the family, my said daughter in law may sell the land and divide the proceeds equally between herself and children and this, all I can do for that family having heretofore given property to my son John L Stratton- Twelveth at my demand? I will that my negro boy named George together will all my other property not hereto fore disposed of by this will shall be sold and the proceeds applied to the payment of my Just debts and to the discharge of the bequest ? before mentioned and the balance to be divided equally between my following named children, To wit, William, Edward, James, Richard, Thomas J, Frances Irland, Letitia Stratton and Martha Ann Adams. I will By consent of my wife should it become necessary I will that my Executor sell any of the negros given to her and pay her the Interest annally of the money arriving from the sale or purchase her another negro as she may direct My Executor is directed to sell my land either publickly or privately in such ? as they may deem best- At the death of my wife my will and desire is that all my estate ( except that before mentioned to be disposed of as she may see proper) ? before given her shall be divided equally or sold and the proceeds divided equally amongst all my following named children ) to wit William, Edward, James, Richard, Thomas J. Frances Irland, Letitia Stratton and Martha Ann Adams. And to carrying the provisions of this will into execution I do hereby appoint my son Thomas J Stratton and my friend Frederick Walkins as Executors.
| James Stratton | Seal |
October 1851
| John L. Bugg, Clerk |