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WILLIAM ROBERTS last will and testament 
Recorded January 20th, 1838 

I, WILLIAM ROBERTS of the County of Weakley and State of Tennessee being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and understanding, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die have thought proper to make and ordain this my last will and testament. 

First, I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the dust to be buried in Christian like manner and to dispose of my worldly goods in the following manner, viz. 

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife MARTHA during her natural life, one fourth of the tract of land whereon I now live to be in the middle thereof.  I give and bequeath to her on the same terms my negroes, DAVY, THADDY, BOB and ANICA all of my stock consisting of horses, cows and hogs.  My wagon, also all of household and kitchen furniture and plantation utensils.  I give and bequeath to my son HENRY ROBERTS one dollar having advanced him his full portion already. 

I give and bequeath to my son WILLIAM C. ROBERTS' children two hundred dollars to be equally divided amongst them.  I loan to my daughter WINIFRED GORDON one quarter section of land lying and being in Graves County, Kentucky known as the Davidson place and at her death I give and bequeath it to her children to be equally divided among them. 

I give and bequeath to FRANCE ROBERTS as trustee for the lawful heirs of the body of my son (page 151) JOHN ROBERTS one negro girl named ELIZA and her increase which is now in the possession of said JOHN ROBERTS and so to remain during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided among the lawful heirs of the body of said JOHN ROBERTS also to my son JOHN ROBERTS ninety five dollars which I have loaned him. 

I give and bequeath unto my son FRANCIS ROBERTS sixty dollars.  I give and bequeath to my son RICHARD ROBERTS my negro man called BIG MATT also two hundred dollars.  I give and bequeath to my son THOMAS ROBERTS one fourth part of the land whereon I live lying in the southeast corner of the tract subject to one fourth of my wife's dower, my negro man CURD and my negro girl MICKEY.  I give and bequeath to my daughter REBECCA ANN FARMER my negro man named LITTLE MATT also one hundred dollars. 

I give and bequeath to my son DAVID MATTHALL ROBERTS one fourth part of the tract of land whereon I now live subject to my wife's dower and my negroes JOE and SILAS.  I give and bequeath to my son MARTIN U. ROBERTS one fourth part of the tract of land whereon I now live to be in the north west corner of said tract subject to my wife's dower my negroes RODA and PETER.  I give and bequeath to my son JAMES R. ROBERTS one fourth part of my land whereon I now live to be in the northeast corner of said tract subject to my wife's dower my negroes WILL, VINCENT and CATHARINE. 

I loan to ELIZABETH BAILEY nine acres of land on the state line west of the pond during her natural life, which is a part left to my son JAMES R. ROBERTS.  I further will and direct that the property left to my two youngest sons remain with that willed to my wife until JAMES R. ROBERTS arrives to the age of eighteen (page 152) years and that they will be supported and educated without any charge.  I further will and direct that at the decease of my wife of if that should be before my son JAMES R. ROBERTS arrives to the age of eighteen years that then and not till then, that the money by acirs named before be paid and the balllance if any remaining be equally divided amongst the children of my present wife MARTHA ROBERTS. 

And lastly I constituted, ordain and appoint my beloved sons FRANCES ROBERTS, RICHARD ROBERTS and THOMAS ROBERTS my executors of this my last will and testament. Hereby annull all other wills and disclaiming this to be my last will and testament in witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five. 

WILLIAMS ROBERTS (seal) 

Signed and sealed in the presence of 
J. A. ROBERTS 
JACOB G. GATES 
WILLIAM TAYLOR 
WILLIAM V. BOATWRIGHT 

STATE OF TENNESSEE 
WEAKLEY COUNTY County Court January Term 1836 

Then was the due execution of the within will duly proven in open court by the oath of JACOB G. GATES, WILLIAM TAYLOR and WILLIAM V.
BOATWRIGHT subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. 

WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, Clk. 

Typed & Submitted by Sandy Thompson Mattox 

 Taken from: 
 Historical Records Project - Official Project #465-44-3-115 
 copied under Works Project Administration 
 November 25,1938