CLAIBORNE COUNTY, TENNESSEE Will Book, Volume 1

Will of SPENCER EDWARDS, deceased State of Tennessee, Claiborne County I, Spencer Edwards, being weak in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory, do make and publish this as my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me made at any time.

First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed of, or may first come into the hands of my Executors.

Secondly, I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Artamasa Edwards, all my lands and tenements, including the plantation on which I now live, including the crop on hand, with all the stock, household and kitchen furniture, or so much as may remain after all my just debts is paid, or during her natural life or widowhood, except what is after mentioned.

Thirdly, it is my will that the children should all live together with Artamasa, my wife, and it is my will that each of the girls, to wit, Rachel Edwards and Sally Edwards, shall have each one cow and one feather bed and furniture when they become of age or marry, if they live together with their stepmother till that time; and that each of the boys, to wit, James Edwards and Sampson Edwards, have each of them a horse beast, James to have the claybank filly that is now on hands, and the same mare bred as soon as possible, and a colt raised for Sampson if it can be so, and will that Japtha Edwards keep the horse that I loaned him till next fall, and then return him to the family or pay a reasonable price into the hands of my Executors. And all the goods and chattels, lands and tenements that is not otherwise bequeathed in this my last will and testament, I will and bequeath the same to my before mentioned wife during her natural life or widowhood, or good behavior. If she marry, I will that all my estate be sold on a twelve month’s credit, and the money equally divided amongst all of my children. And my said wife to have an equal portion with my children, or if my said wife remains a widow, during her natural life. It is my desire at her death, that all my estate be sold as aforesaid, and the money divided equally amongst all my children, to wit, the children that is gone I want all be brought upon an equality with what they had had heretofore. It is my desire that the children that is gone should be made equal if that much can be spared from the family before the death of my said wife, except Martin Edwards. I think that he has had his full share; and Lety Mayes, formerly Lety Edwards; and Elizabeth Keck, formerly Elizabeth Edwards; and Japtha Edwards and George Edwards and Hiram Edwards and Joseph Edwards and Rachel Edwards and Sally Edwards, and James Edwards and Sampson Edwards, and Anna Edwards, and Martha Edwards, and McKindry Edwards, and Spencer Edwards.

I now nominate and appoint John Keck and Levi Goin, my Executors. In witness whereof, I do to this my will, set my hand and seal this October the 24th 1848. Test: Timothy Norvell William P. Yaden James (X) Houlton Spencer (X) Edwards