Will of David Wilson

Signed 19 Dec 1803 Recorded November Term 1814

Transcribed by Carolyn G. Smith, © 1991

Source: Will Book I, pages 77-79

In the name of God Amen: I David Wilson of the state of Tennessee and county of Sumner, I do hereby make this my last will and testament viz: as follows. I do bequeath unto my beloved wife Jean during her life one half of the house I now live in also all my household furniture, the use of a Negro woman named Rose and a Negro girl named Nancy and my roan horse. I give and bequeath into my son William two hundred and fourteen acres of land being half the tract including Honey's lick on Ginnon's Creek-also five hundred acres on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River. I give and bequeath into my son James five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River. I give and bequeath into my son-in-law Zacheus Wilson five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River. I give and bequeath into my William Steel five hundred acres of land on Spring Creek a branch of Duck River. I give and bequeath into my son Zacheus the plantation I now live on with all its improvements above excepted. Beginning at my son James south east corner running thence south to the old original line, thence west with original line to the old corner a mulberry. Ten north to James Wilson south west corner, also 50 acres transferred to me by Joseph Motheral adjoining the original tract on the west - also one thousand acres at the mouth of Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River being the half of the 2,000 acres tract to be divided equal in quantity and quality - also one sorrel mare and colt now on this plantation - also one half of my farming tools - also one Negro man called Cesar, provided said Zacheus pays to each of my legates thirty five dollars - also five hundred acres on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River. To son David - one hundred and sixty acres of land being part of the plantation I now live one. Beginning at William Wilson's south east corner thence with the line north to William Wilson's south west corner - also one thousand acres on Duck River at the mouth of Caney Spring Creek being a part of a two thousand acre tract to be divided according to quantity and quality - also one sorrel horse with half of my farming tools, with two cows and calves and such part of any hogs and sheep as my said wife shall choose to give to him - she being considered the possessor during her life - also one hundred dollars to be paid to him by my executor as soon as they can raise the money out of my indisposed land, - also five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek, a branch of Duck River. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River - also one bed and furniture - also a young Roan Mare -also four cows and calves. The property above mentioned to my beloved to her at her absolute disposal both in her life and at her death - also the disposal of my clothes to whom she pleases - it is also provided of the above mentioned five hundred six acres tract, said two thousand ninety six acres tract, said two thousand taken off divided into eight equal shares shall be lotted for any legatee. The remaining two thousand ninety six acres and said tract with all my other lands which I have not hereby disposed of I leave at the absolute disposal of my executors for the purpose of discharging of any just debts or _______ that may come against my estate. It is also hereby directed that my executors make a deed in fee to my son-in-law Jonathan Wilson for one hundred and twenty acres of land out of any of the land not hereby disposed of, of equal value to the Harpeth lands which he was to receive. Also a deed in fee to my brother Zacheus Wilson one hundred acres of any of my lands, not hereby disposed of, equal in value to what he was to receive of me on Harpeth. It is hereby provided that all my stock of cattle in Wilson County shall be equally divided into eight lots and lotted for, four head of horse creatures not hereby disposed of I leave to the disposal of my executors- it is also hereby provided that my executors have paid all my just claims against my estate. The remainder to be equally divided amongst all my legatees after my executors have received a just compensation for their trouble. It is hereby provided that my executors or heirs lay any of my duplicate warrants they shall have half the land for laying the same. If any of my heirs should not be satisfied with their lots, if any difference should arise I do hereby request them to settle it by arbitration and not go to the law and lastly I do here _______and appoint (My son WilliamWilson and my son Zacheus Wilson) my executors of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made. In testimony whereof I do hereby set my hand and affix my seal, this nineteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and three. Signed and sealed in the presence of Zack Wilson James S. Wilson Note: Will of David Wilson proved by Zacheus Wilson and James S. Wilson, subscribing witnesses; William Wilson and Zacheus Wilson sons of said deceased, executors, qualified. Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions at Court house in Gallatin, third Monday of March 1804. Carol Wells, Sumner County Tennessee Minutes, 1787-1805 & 1808-1810, (1995). This was the first recorded court minutes since October of 1803. Notes: Sumner County, Tennessee Will Abstracts, 1788-1882 by Shirley Wilson, 1987, p. 115: Wilson, David, 19 Dec 1803 - Life estate to wife Jean, son-in-law Zacheus Wilson. Sons William, James, "my Jonathan Wilson, my William street, son Zacheus Wilson, son David, daughter Mary, brother, Zacheus Wilson. Land bought of Joseph Moteral. Ex: Wilson, William; Wilson, Zacheus. Wt: Wilson, Zach; Wilson, James S. ) Will Book, 1-77.

Will: (source: http://www.tngenweb.usit.com/sumner/dwilson.htm)