Person:James Reed (93)

In the name of God Amen, I James Reede of the County of Maury and State of Tennessee, being at the time perfectly in my right mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body, and that it is unto all men one to die, do make this my last will, in the following manners.

First & principally I recomment soul to God who gave it, and my body to the Earth, from whence it was taken, to be decently buried at the direction of my Executors, and as touching my worldly estate, which God has been pleased to ? in this life, give and dispose of in this manner. First after my funeral expences, I all all my just debts to be paid.

Secondly, I give and bequeth unto my brother Hugh Reed, William Reede, Isaiah Reede, and John Reed, and likewise my deceased wife's, Mary Reede's children, Janey Steele, Martha Steele, and Hannah Fullerton --deceased heirs, my negro's by name: Bill, Betty, Ann, Alice, Jerry, David, Jinney, Mindy, and to be divided as follows: my brothers to have one half of said Negroes, and my deceased wife's children to have the other half, to be divided by Samuel McDaniel, Allen Leifer, Robert Cowdon, Thomas Black in two lots, and draw for shares, and if they can't be divided equal, the money to make them equal.

Thirdly my furniture, give to Jinney (Jannet) Steele, Mary Cowden, also my deceased wife's saddle, Anney (Hannah)Fullerton, wife of James Fullerton.

Then all the other property not named, to be sold and the money to be divided, one half to my brothers and the other half to my deceased wife, Mary Reed's children.

And I do make this my last will and testament and do destroy all former wills.

And to compliment and appoint John Steele and John Wood my Executors.

Signed, sealed & delivered this six day of June in the year of our Lord, One Thousand, Eight Hundred, twenty-two.

(Signed) James Reed (his mark)

Wit:

John L. Wood

Samuel McDaniel

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