Found in the County Court House, Maury Co TN
Will of Elijah Hunter,  Maury County Tennessee, circa 1836

In the name of God Amen. I Elijah Hunter of the County of Maury of State
of Tennessee being of sound mind and disposing memory do make and ordain
this my last Will and Testament.

After my death my body to be buried at the discretion of my executor.

First - I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Hunter during
her natural life or widowhood all of the tract of land where on I now
live with all the improvements and profits there of  also my negro woman
Lucy  about nineteen years old also my negro woman named Dolly and child
about twenty nine years of age. To dispose of at her discretion during
her natural life or widowhood. After her, Elizabeth Hunter death or in
the event that she may marry again after my death, then the said tract
of land with its improvement and profits afore said I give and bequeath
to my two sons James and Gideon with this provision that neither shall
to any other person, except the other both may sell jointly to any other
person. The said Lucy and her increase, in the event of the aforesaid I
give and bequeath to my step-daughter Mariah Briggs and my own daughter
Celine and my son George jointly. And Dolly child and her increase in
the  above instance I give and bequeath to my  two daughters Elizabeth
Foster and Celine  and son George jointly.

2nd I confirm unto my son Isaac the tract of land and other property of
which I have already given him and which he is now in possession of in
and also on hundreds in money to be paid out of the sale of such
property as I shall herin after direct to be sold.

3rd I Confirm unto my son Perkins the tract of land and other property
which I have already given him and which he has been in possession of
and also five dollars in money to be paid out of the sale of such
property as I shall herin after direct to be sold.

4th I confirm unto my son David the property which I have already given
him in addition to which I give and bequeath unto him one hundred in
money which is to be paid out of the sale of such property as I shall
herein direct to be sold.

5th I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca Tarkinton in addition to
what I have already given her one hundred dollars in money to be paid
out of the sale of such property as I shall herein direct to be sold.

(There is no mention of 6th as I can see)

7th I give and bequeath unto my son Jesse (or Jefen ) my negro boy
Jacob together with a saddle and bridle and the horse that I have
already given him.

8th I give and bequeath unto my son James my negro boy Bob.

9th I give and bequeath unto my son Gideon my negro boy named Esau.

10th  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Fields all of my
interest in the estate of Mother Mary Brooks at her death reserving one
hundred and thirty dollars which is to be paid to my brother Elisha
Hunter living in the state of Missouri. This donation is to be divided
between the heirs of Margaret Fields decd. equally.

It is my last will and request that my negro  man ---- together with all
my perishable property not heretofore disposed of shall be sold to pay
my just debts and and satisfy the bequest in money heretofore mentioned
and whatever remains --- f it sale of its above mentioned are satisfied
then the surplus if any to be equally divided between my lawful heirs.

Lastly I hereby nominate and appoint my son Gideon my lawful executor in
case he arrives at lawful age before this my last will and testament
shall be acted on and in hte event of my death before he arrive at full
and lawful age I hereby nominate and appoint my friend Harmon (Wramon or
Norman) Smith my executor to carry into effect this my last will and
testament.
In Witness whereof I have herewith let my hand and seal this 6th day of
August A. D. 1836.
                                                               Elijah
Hunter (Seal)
R. W. Morris
Aaron H. Brooks
Micajah Brooks
 

©2004, 2005 by Paulette Carpenter; all rights reserved.