In the name of God, Amen!  I, Zachariah Williams of the county of Weakley and the state of Tennessee, being of sound mind and supposing memory, do make and constitute this my last will and testament in the manner and form following, viz. 

 Item 1st, I desire that all my just debt be paid as shortly after my death as my executors which I will hereafter name may find it convenient and necessary. 

Item 2nd,  I lend to my beloved wife Elizabeth Williams, the tract of land whereon I now live.  I also lend to my said wife, one negro man named Ned, one negro woman named Mary, one negro girl named Maranda, and one negro boy named Rubin.  Also two choice
head of horses, two choice beds and furniture, all of my household and kitchen furniture, and all of my plantation tools.  Three choice cows and calves, three choice sows and pigs and pork hogs sufficient to make her and her family support for one year, and all the sheep that I now have, for her maintenanace and support.  Also one yoke of oxen and cart during her natural life. 

Item 3rd,  I give to my children Bennett B. Williams and Joseph G. Williams and Eliza E. Bynum, all of my property which has not yet been divided, to be equally divided among them as follows.  The negroes to be valued and placed in lots by three or more disinterested persons.  One lot for each one of them of equal value and all the other property not otherwise willed to be sold and the amountto be equally divided between my said children. 

 Item 4th,  It is my will and I desire that after the death of my said wife, that the land whereon I now live, be equally divided between my two sons, Bennett B. Williams and Joseph G. Williams, and that they pay to Eliza E. Bynum, three hundred dollars for her part of said land. 

Item 5th,  It is my will and I desire that after the death of my said wife, that the negroes which I have loaned to her, be valued and divided into three lots of equal value by two
disinterested persons, one lot for each of my said children. 

Item 6th,  I further desire that all the balance of property which I have loaned to my said wife, be sold and the amount arising from said sale to be equally divided between my three children a above. 

Item 7th,  I do hereby constitute, make and appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth Williams and my son Bennett B. Williams, My Executor and Executrix to this my last will and testament, revoking all others from gainsaying the same.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty.
Test:
Jesse Harris
James E. Bondurant
Willis Nailing
Benjamin Davis

Zarchariah Williams

Recorded this 6th day of December 1847

Transcribed by pj Thompson