Valentine Brown Will

Transcribed By Judy French, Comments Click Here

The last will and testament of Volentine (sic) Brown now being weak and enfebled (sic) by age but of sound mind, do make the following deposition of my property and effects.

1 I wish all my just debts paid first –

Iteim (sic)

2^nd I wish my negroes to be divided as equally between George W. Walker and Francis Kerby as their ages and sex will admit of –

3^rd It is my wish that my tract of land on which I now live containing one hundred and twenty acres be the same, more or less divided equally between Valentine Brown, Jr, Jas. Brown and Rich’d Brown – my nephews. –

4^th I wish my stock of every description to be sold and the proceeds of the sale equally divided between George W. Walker, Francis Kerby, Rich’d Bown, Jas Brown, and Vol (sic) Brown.

5^th It is my desire that my house and furniture be disposed of according to the 4^th item. –

6^th After my crop is made I wish it to be sold and its proceeds equally divided among those specified in the 4^th item - for taking care of the crop and attending to the hands I wish Francis Kerby to take the charge and he must have a reasonable compensation for the same.

7^th All debts due or coming to me by note or account I wish equally divided among those specified in the 4^th Item. – When collected.

8^th It is my wish that D. W. Mintto (?) of Sumner County act as my executor of this my last will and testament.

9^th My debts must be paid out of the common stock of all or in other words, all must be bear a proportionable part in paying my debts. –

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8^th day of August 1840

Test.

Volentine Brown

Elum A. Erwin

James H. Vaughan

State of Tennessee Smith County

September Term County Court 1840

This the last will and testament of Valentine Brown was produced in open court for probate and was duly ______ in open court by Elum A. Erwin & James H. Vaughan subscribing witnesses to the same and in motion entered to be __________.

Attest: John J. Burnette ??? of smith County Court

Personal note: Francis Kerby was married to Barbara Brown. Was George W. Walker’s wife, Elizabeth, Barbara’s sister. A Valentine Brown lived next door to Francis Kerby in the 1840 Smith Co. Census and listed as 80-90 years old. Was Valentine Brown, her father or grandfather? See Deed in Trust for Francis Kerby and Valentine H. Brown for more info. This Valentine and Valentine H. aren’t the same person since his father would have to be over 100 years old, but is Valentine H. the one named as a nephew?

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