In the name of God Amen. I John Shannon of the County of Robertson and State of Tennessee being of sound mind and disposing memory for which I thank God and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath the same in manner following. That is to say first I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Ann Shannon the place I now live on during her natural life, then to be divided amongst the other land. Also my farming tools and stock of any kind necessary for this family. Also the household furniture, my blacksmith tools to be kept for the use of the family and my sons. What property can be shared to be sold to the best advantage to discharge my just debts. Also my land in Hickinson & Humprhies Counties to be sold to the best advantage so as to researve one fourth for the legatees only to deferred from my heirs or transfer the land to the purchaser the money which should be collected for the lands sold that is not needed for the use of the family to purchase land an amount for the use of the heirs my lands to be divided in the following manner. VIZ I give & bequeath to my son Samuel one hundred acres of
page 21
land. I give and bequeath to my other sons, namely Hugh, James, William & Jesse one hundred acres of land each. I give and bequeath to my daughters, namely Elizabeth, Mary, Ann and Patsey fifty acres each & when the land is divided amongst them when any part happens to be thier land to add more to it to make it equal with the rest if so much can be obtained if not agreeable to the above if more can be obtained to be equally divided among my sons above mentioned the land above mentioned to be my enjoyed by my sons and daughters above mentioned and their heirs forever. The land or warrants that is obtained or may be obtained to be located in the new purchases or to be exchanged for land as my executors may see proper after laying what they may ....... ..... and to be equally divided between my sons before mentioned. I give and bequeath to my son Jessie one horse to be worth sixty Dollars. Each of my daughters Ann and Patsy to have one feather bed & furniture one saddle each and for my sons William and Jessie to use each of them a horse and to have each of them a good saddle and bridle all of the property left to my wife after her decease to be equally divided amongst my heirs or to be sold and the money to be equally divided among my heirs or to be sold and the money to be equally divided among my heirs as my executors may see proper. Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends James Shannon, Samuel Shannon & William Finley Executors
page 22
of my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me hereto for made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 7th day of December 1817.