Source: Court Records, Sumner Co. TN. Howard, Charles vs. Perry, John exec., 1843 -- (Wm. Kennedy dec'd.

In the name of God amen I William Kennedy of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee at present weak and frail in body but of sound mind and memory do hereby publish and ordain this my last Will and Testament in and from the following (viz)

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It is my will and desire that my just debts and funeral charges be paid punctually out of my estate

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I give and bequeath to my loving wife Prudence Kennedy the whole of my plantation that is to say, the tract of land I purchased of James Taylor and the tract purchased of the heirs of Ormand Allen lying on Mankins Creek with the rents and profits thereof with the household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils and stock of every kind or description during her natural life or widowhood excepting such as herein to be named.

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I give and bequeath to my son Armstrong Kennedy his heirs and assigns for ever my set of Blacksmith tools

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I give and bequeath my son John Kennedy a certain bay mare to him his heirs and assigns forever

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I give and bequeath to my honored mother Mary Armstrong during her natural life the cabin and the acres of land whereon she at present lives.

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It is my will and desire that at the death or marriage of my wife Prudence that my said estate be sold at public sale at a credit of twelve months with my Stock household and kitchen furniture farming utensils and Cotton Gin and library and the amount arising from said sale to be equally divided among my 12 children namely Armstrong John Rebecca Margarett William Daniel Elisabeth Evalina Alexander Rachel Simpson and Elisa their heirs and assigns forever and lastly I nominate and appoint my son Armstrong W Kennedy and John Perry my Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other former Wills in Witness where I have herewith set my hand and seal this 20th day of Oct 1809 and the 34th Year of American Independence.

Wm Kennedy

Signed Sealed Acknowledged in presence of John Turnin Saml Turnin Edwd Hagan and Shadrack Nye