McNairy Co., TN
Last will of John N. Barnhill, deceased
(summary of will, several pages long)
Pay debts and funeral expenses...
To my wife, the hands, homestead on which I know reside containing about 210 acres and known as the tract of land I bought from John R. Wright...
To my wife, my entire personal estate containing of my household affects with my stock of every description, wagons, farming impliment, notes and accounts and money on hand if any excepting my thrasher and my reaper and mower...
Leaves the thrasher and reaper and mower to my children both married and single, owned by them jointly for their use and benefit of my wife...
Already given property to his children both married and single...
I am now owner of a tract of land recently bought from John R. Hurley containing 345 acres and knowing the present financial pressure upon the country and that real estate is depressed in price I desire the same to be controlled and managed by my executors in the following manner, they are to rent the same as in their judgment may seem best and out of the rents the taxes with cost of repairs be paid and the remainder to go to my wife, and desire my executors to not dispose of any of said land at any time for 5 years, believing by then perhaps a reaction may take place and lands will sell for a better price...
I am the owner of several hundred acres of good land laying on the waters of Cypress, also several hundred acres of thin? or pots? lands lying out in the hills and ridges, but adjoining running down to the bottom lands, now, I desire the bottom lands to be subdivided in tracts of 40 to 60 acres, each and at the same time, hill? lands of about the same or equal amount be surveyed off to adjoin the bottom land a price put on each tract and (?) my children and the opinions? of 3 who corroborate and agree with each other shall govern the remaining two, and that Mrs. Wade? shall govern and they shall abide the same and the valuation of each piece shall be put in a pot and drawn by some disinterested party and each shall receive the piece drawn him or her, and receive amount in value and no. of acres.
In the event of death of either of my daughters prior to the division of the above named lands I authorise the husband of either or both to give their opinions and represent the children of my daughters and that the same be reprsented by sons, as to the value of the lands allowed to the heirs of my daughters and in the event of the death of either or all of my sons, the interest of their children is to be respected and represented by their legal guardians, and that the same be done in such a manner that either is not to have the advantage in any way of the other.
I have confidence in my son John T. Barnhill and believe that he will carry out my will and respect my wishes and deal fairly with his brothers and sisters or their children. I appoint him my executor...
This June 16, 1877
John N. Barnhill
Purdy Tenn. April 7, 1879
Since the above will was written I have decided to appoint my other 2 sons R.P. Barnhill and T.L. Barnhill associate executors with J.T. Barnhill and desire them to accept the trust and enter on such duties all together after my will is proven.
John N. Barnhill.
The above will presented in open court at this the Nov. term 1881 and properly proven by W.D. Jopling and C. Shull the two subscribing witnesses
This 7th Nov. 1881