Individual Details

Will

Will of Samuel Dodson

The last Will and Testament of Samuel Dodson the Elder in the name of God Amen,

I Samuel Dodson Sen. of (?) County of Grainger in the State of Tennessee do make, constitute, and publish this my last will and Testament hereby revoking and destroying all other wills by me at any time heretofore made.

First being in common health and of sound mind and Disposing memory and knowing that it is "appointed unto all men once to die and after this the Judgement" I will and bequeath my soul to almighty God who give it and I desire that my body after my decease be buried in a decent and Christian like manner and hoping in the blessed Ressurection [sic] of the same.

As to the worldly Goods which it hath pleased God to bless me with I dispose of them as follows, that is to say.

Item. First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah should she out live me, my Negro girl Sarah and her proceeds on increase should there be any during her natural Life and at her decease said Girl and her increase if any is to go to my daughter-in-law Matilda and at the death of my daughter-in-law to live with which one of my son Wm. Dodson's children she will choose to serve. My wife is also to have her bed and bedstead and furniture and a years provisions out of my Estate. Whereas I lately give my son Joel Dodson my black boy Cal I allow that for his part of my estate together with that I have heretofore given him.

Item. I give to my son John Dodson my black boy Prior, which with what I have heretofore given him is the amount I intend for his part of my estate.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Samuel Dodson my Negro boy Jim, which with what I have heretofore given him I intend for his share of my Estate.

Item. My desire is that the balance of my property and land be sold and the proceeds together with what money I have on hand and debts that may be due me be divided between my children as follows (to wit) Fifty dollars to my son Claiborne Dodson which with what he has already has had I intend for his part of my Estate. And fifty dollars to equally divided between all the children of my daughter Sally Neal (now dead) which with what I give them heretofore I allow to be her Share of my Estate.

And my desire is that the balance arising as aforesaid after paying my just debts be equally divided between my daughter Ruth Rucker and my son Abner Dodson, which together with what I have heretofore given them shall be their shares of my Estate.

And lastly I constitute and appoint my Son Joel Dodson my Executor to execute and carry out the behest of this my last will and Testament. In testamony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 21st day of January in the year of our Lord 1860 signed and acknowledged to be his last will and testament in the presence of James K. Mcanally and Henry Williams.

Samuel (his X mark) Dodson

Supplement of the last Will of Samuel Dodson the Elder as aforesaid.

Whereas in the foregoing will I omitted to give my wife all the things that I intended for her. I therefore make the following additional devise to her to wit. My black Mare and brindle cow and one Lady's Saddle also what money and debts she had when I married her and all the other property that she had when I married her together with one half of My Cupboard ware. I here declare the foregoing to be part of my last will and Testament. In witness of which I hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of January A.D. 1860.

Samuel (his X mark) Dodson
Witnesses
James K. Mcanally
Dlaiborne H. Dodson
Proven in open Court
Recorded March 10th, 1860