Person:Nehemiah Dowell (17)

The 1810 U.S. Census, for Fauquier Co., VA, shows Nehemiah as head of a household consisting of three males under 10, three 10-16, one 16-26, and one 26-45. Females include one under 10 and one 26-45. Also listed with the household are nine slaves. The 1830 U.S. Census shows Nehemiah and Elizabeth living in Smith Co., TN. Household includes one white male age 10-15, one age 15-20, and 27 slaves. Nehemiah and wife, Elizabeth, migrated to Smith Co., TN., from Fauquier Co. VA, about 1825 and settled on 400 acres of land along the Mulherrin, tributary to the Caney Fork River. They had 10 children; nine boys and one girl. Nehemiah died 23 Sep 1842. Death date from Dr. Thomas J. Sneed's bill for services filed with estate. His will is dated July 30, 1839 and recorded November, 1842, Smith Co., TN. Wife Elizabeth, sons John D., William, Elias, Willis, Francis, James, Elisha, Robert, Presley (dec'd)/his heirs Francis Ann, Martha Jane, Mary Adelade. Dau. Mary Harris. Son-in-law Dawson B. Harris. Excs. Willis and Frank Dowell. Probate, 1842. Copy of will as follows: "In the name of God, Amen, I, Nehemiah Dowell of the County of Smith and State of Tennessee, being weak in body, yet of perfect mind and memory for which I feel thankful to Almighty God, knowing the uncertainty of this life do make and publish this my last will and testament, commending my soul to God who gave it, requesting that my body be buried in a decent plain manner. And as respects my property, I give, devise and dispose of in the following manner. First, I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth Dowell all of my negros now in my possession during her widowhood, except such as I shall set apart in this my will for my children and such as my children has already rec'd, and their increase during her natural life or widowhood. Also one half of all my stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. Also, the plantation or tract of land wherein I now live together with the farming and half of crop of the present year. Also, two hundred dollars in cash to be paid to her soon after my death. Also, all my household and kitchen furniture. 2nd, I give to my son, John D. Dowell, one negro girl, Clary, and one boy, Alfred, one feather bed and furniture, one bay mare and the stock he has received. I give to my son, William Dowell, two negros, Aggy and Edward, one feather bed and furniture, one horse and other stock which he has rec'd. I give to my son Elias Dowell('s) lawful heirs two negros, Eliza and Moses, one feather bed and furniture, one horse and other stock necessary which he has rec'd. Also, his equal distributive share of my entitled estate and lands which estate so falling to the heirs of said Elias Dowell. I vest in the hands of my two sons, Willis and Francis Dowell, as trustees who is hereby vested with full power to manage said estate during the lifetime of my son, Elias, paying to him the rents of the land that may fall to his children, or if sold, the interest on the amount so obtained together with the interest or the portions of money that may be due them as distributees in my unwilled estate. Also, the hire of the negros both before and after my beloved wife's death and should it so happen that my son fale to provide reasonable well for my grandchildren, his heirs when they come to full age, or marry, it will be the duty of said trustees to decide the rents and interest and hire of said negros equally between my son Elias and his lawful heirs annually or till the death of Elias as then to be equally divided between his heirs by sale or otherwise as may seem best; and in case of the deaths of said trustees, their legal representatives are requested and authorized to carry out the intent and purpose of this my will in the same manner that Willis and Francis is hereby required and empowered to do. I give to my son, James Dowell, two negros named Minsy and Randall, one bed and other stock with a horse which he has rec'd. I give to my daughter Mary Harris(') lawful he which they have already rec'd, one of which is now in my estate, but she is not to receive him as he, Dawson B. Harris, did sell him and I had to pay for him a very high price. She, Mary Harris, is to receive her full distributive share of my unwilled(?) estate except my negros of which she is to receive no portion or portions neither before or after my beloved wife's death, but of the lands, she by her lawful heirs is to receive her full portion with her brothers which estate of land is or marry or otherwise I vest in my two sons, Willis and Francis, as trustees for the benefit of my Daughter Mary Harris and her lawful heirs of her own body during the lifetime of said Mary Harris and the trustees are required to pay annually to said Mary Harris the rents and interest of her distrubutive share of my estate, except the negros of which she is to receive no portion whatever at any time, having rec'd already her full share and her death said estate so willed to the heirs of Mary Harris is to be equally divided among them by sale or otherwise and I realy(?) expressly provide that no portion of said estate is to go to pay any debt that Dawson B. Harris has or may ever contract liable by garnishee or other process whatever. I give to my son, Willis Dowell, two negros Jude and Isaac, one bed, horse and other necessary stock which he has received. I give to my son, Elisha Dowell, two negros, Willis and Sarah, also his bed and stock as the other children has rec'd and I do hereby vest the said negros, together with the land and money he may receive at any time be entitled, in the hands of my sons Willis and Francis as trustees for the benefit of my son Elisha during his natural life and after his death to his legal heirs in the same way as is provided for my son Elias in every particular. I give to my son Presley Dowell's heirs, Elira, Francis, _______, Martha Jane, and Mary Adelade, two negros, Dawson and Lucinda, one bed and horse and other necessary stock which he has rec'd except the girl she is here ready to be delivered. I give to my son, Francis Dowell, two negros named Jarvis and Martha, one bed and furniture, one horse and other necessary stock which he is to have, except the horse which he has rec'd. I give to my son, Robert Dowell, two negros Henry Banks and Anna, one feather bed and furniture, one horse and other necessary stock which he is to receive except for the horse which he has rec'd. All _____ lands and accounts against any of my children or others is to be considered part of my estate and to be accounted for accordingly except claims against my Daughter Mary Harris which is not to be brought against or her lawful heirs but 'tis hereby made null and void. I give to my grandson, William Harris, a horse worth fifty dollars and my saddle which he is to receive when he comes of age. I hereby appoint Robert Dowell Guardian for the heirs of my son Presley Dowell, dec'd, and request that he take immediate possession of his negros. I do hereby ordain and appoint my two sons, Willis and Francis Dowell, Executors to this my last will and testament this 30th day, July 1839. s. Nehemiah Dowell Signed presence of us: s. John Moore s. Larkin Smith s. Josiah Fite