Will of Robert Harris
Signed 4-Aug-1806

Transcribed by Winona Creek
©2000

Source: Sumner County: Roll # 91
Probate Records ( County Chancery Court) Wills Vol 1- 5 1789- July 1904
Tennessee State Library and Archives
Vol. 1; Page 107

In the name of God Amen: I Robert Harris of Sumner County and State of Tennessee, do make this my last will and Testament: I order my Executors hereinafter named as soon as it will be in their power to pay my funeral expenses, and my just debts I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife her bed, the Covering thereof and the curtains to be at her disposal at her death, as also her wearing apparel; also my Brown Mare called Swell. I also order, and it is my will so long as my wife and children are in a family capacity, they have full and free use of my books; but at the death or marriage of my wife, I order that volume of Baxter's works left me by my father to be given to my son Blair. I give and bequeath unto my son Blair, Bonsells Universal history, and Reaon Creation--my silver she buckles and plated knee buckles, and my ivory pocket book this is all his share as I gave him and my son Robert a thousand and fifty acres of land near the Ohio. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Agnes Cunningham Gohen Thirty dollars out of the last bond due me in Virginia but if she should die before it is received, I order it then to be given to my grandson Harris Gohen And to be put to interest on good security, until he attains full age in law, but if he should die I then order it to be given to such other children as may be alive of my said daughter Agness. I order and it is my will that my daughter Mary Gibson Harris have and keep all that now is called hers and the book obligations on the reservations I order and it is my will that my wife have an equal share of the money due me in Virginia, with her six youngest daughters after their will be found Saddles, One a mare an their woman's a shall be hereafter mentioned purchased for my children. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Frances Houston Robinson and equal share with her Mother and Sisters in the money due me in Virginia. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Araminta Juliet Orr all that she now has, and an equal share of the money due me in Virginia. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Caroline Simpson all that she hath and an equal share of the money due me in Virginia. I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Harris, Wells Geographical History of the old and New Testament, as he is partner with his brother Blair in a thousand and forty acres of land in Virginia, that with a new saddle or the price thereof, which shall not exceed twenty dollars, that is all I give him. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Speer Harris a new Saddle as equal as possible to those her sisters Mary Gibson, Frances Houston, and Araminta Juliet hath got, and equal share with her mother and sisters in the money due me in Virginia. I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Henritta Harris new saddle such as already mentioned and that she share equal with her other sisters in the money due me in Virginia. I also order my daughter Sarah Caroline Simpson a new saddle such as above. I give and bequeath unto Thomas Leroy Harris Pope's second and fourth volumes, and Milton's Paradise Lost. As my said son appears to be weakly, it is my will that he be put to an easy trade, such as the saddler, but he and Executors hereinafter named, and his mother are to be the judges, and do as they shall think best; it is my will that he be taught arithmetic afar as through the rule of practice; as soon as it shall appear either by the death of my wife, or her marriage that my children would separate I order my executors to sell the land; one fourth of its price is to be equally divided amongst my six youngest daughters, as is names--other three fourths to be my youngest sons if that happen before he is twenty one years of age; it is to be put to interest until he arrives to full age. I do hereby empower my Executors or the survivor to make a good title to the purchaser, but so long as my family live together, all the stock and farming utensils shall be for their common use, but on the separation of my family I order my Executors to make sale of the whole that may be found and the money when collected to be equally divided amongst my ten children, or the survivors of them. I also order my Executors as soon as they have money in their hands, to purchase a Bible for each of my children; and write their names and day of their birth from the record that I kept. I order my Executors when that (when the) sale as above is made, that the wagon, if thee is one be sold as the stock. I order and it is my will that at the separation of my family, my books bound and unbound be as equally divided amongst my children as possible. I ordain and appoint my son Blair Harris, and my son-n-law Greenberry Orr the Executors of this my last will and Testament, revoking and disannulling all former wills heretoforemade, ratifying this and none other. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal in my own house, after writing it all with my own hand, this fourth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and six.

Robt Harris (Seal)
Signed Sealed and declared by the Testator as his
Last will and Testament in the presence of
Josiah E. Giles
Albert Holmes
John Giles.
I do hereby certify that I did with my own, make the alteration of the date this fourth day of August one thousand eight hundred and six.
Robt. Harris

I Robert Harris do make the following Codicil. I order that my Executors shall not give Frances Houston Robinson Shaw to her husband in money, but they are to know of her what She is most in need of, and they are to buy it, and give to herself this they are to do as often as it happen. I discharge and forbid my Executors from ever giving William Robinson any of his wifes part of the Estate. In Testimony whereof I have put my hand and affixed my seal fourth day of August one thousand Eight hundred and six.
Robt. Harris (Seal)
Signed and sealed in the presence
Of Josiah E. Giles
Albert Holmes
John Giles



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