Source: Sumner County Tennessee, Will Book Vol. 4, pages 188 - 190
In the name of God amen, I Thos. L. Armstrong nowing (sic) the certenty (sic) of Death and the uncertenty (sic) of life being in sound health and mind do make and publish this my last Will and testament here by revoking all other maid (sic) by me at any time.
First; I will and and (no mistake) bequeath my sole to the God that gave it and my bodie (sic) to be buried in a desen (sic) Maner (sic).
Second; I will that all of my just debts and my burial expenses be paid out of any money that I may have on hands (sic) or first comes to the hands of my executor hereafter appointed.
Third; I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Sinia Armstrong all of my estate both real and personal after paying my just debts and necessary (sic) expenses for her suport (sic), during her natural life giving her the rite (sic) to divide the stock and such other property as she may not need between my two children Elias Armstrong and M. C. Bruer (pg 189)
Fourth; I will and bequeath to my son Elias Armstrong after the death of my wife all of my lands on the Sumner County side of the Turnpike Road he paying over to my Executor to be held in trust for the benefit of my Daughter Mary C. Bruer, Two hundred and Fifty Dollars as hereafter provided for.
Fifth; I will and bequeath to my Daughter Mary C. Bruer all of my lands on the Robertson County side of the Turnpike Road to live on during her natural life after the death of her Mother Sinia Armstrong not subject to any Debts that she may ow (sic) or contract hereafter and in case she movves? of or? said (moves off of said)?? Lands or Dies then my executor is authorised (sic) to advertise (sic) said lands giving suficient (sic) notice and sell the same either publically(sic) or privately and divide the proceeds of said sale equally between her six children namely, M. E. Bruer, T. E. Bruer, W. L. Bruer, S. E. Bruer, G. N. Bruer and all or any part of the Two hundred and Fifty Dollars that is to be paid by Elias Armstrong that comes into the hands of my Executor for the benefit of Mary C. Bruer and her six children above mentioned and only to be paid over as she or they may need the same while she lives, my executor is authorized and required to select some then of his neighbors after the death of my wife, who will meet on the premises and equally divid(sic) the remainder of the property say? the perishable and cash equally between Elias Armstrong & Mary C. Bruer or her six children above mentioned (in case of her death) and to be managed by my executor as heretofore required so as to void a sale of the same.
Sixth: I hereby appoint my son Elias Armstrong as trustee of Mary C. Bruer and her six children
as above mentioned, And my executor to carry out this my last Will and testament.
Given under my hand and seal, this the 29th day of March 1869.
Test.
Benj. Roney
W. D. Morris
Wiley Grovs? (Groves)
(pg 190)
Codasil (sic) to the above having spent and used her monies, I will and bequeath to my wife Sinia
Armstrong all of the monies and effects coming to me from my Father W. L.? Armstrong and my
sister Susan Armstrong (estate??) to have and to use as she pleases, to be paid to her by the
representatives of said estate some of the lands specified above Will & Codicil having been
deeded, Given under my hand and seal this the 10th day of July 1879.
his
(signed) T. L. x Armstrong
mark
Test.
D. A. Jernigan
J. M. Merritt
Benj. Roney
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court - September Term - 1879
The last Will and testament and Codicil thereto of Thomas L. Armstrong was this day produced in
open Court for probate and the Will was duly proven by Wiley Groves one of the subscribing
witnesses thereto, and the Codicil was duly proven by the oaths of J. W. Merrett & D. A.
Jernegan two of the subscribing witnesses thereto which are ordered to be recorded. Thereof,
Elias Armstrong the executor named in said will appeared in open Court and acepted(sic) the
appointment of executor as aforesaid and there upon the said Armstrong together with his
securities, J. M. Sman?? & Wiley Groves and entered into and acknowledged their bond payable
to the State of Tennessee in the penal sum of five hundred dollars conditioned (as) the Law
directs & the said Elias Armstrong took the oath prescribed for executor and entered upon the
duties thereof.
Copy Attest. (signed) O. H. Foster Clerk