In the name of God Amen:
William Cockran of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee being in perfect health and memory of mind, but low and weak in body do make and ordain this my last will and Testament . . .
In the first place I will that after my decease my Stud horse and my Negro man Jim both be sold to the best advantage . . .
Secondly
I will that my plantation where I now live after the present crop is made _? is now _? be rented out to the best advantage yearly and also my negroes rent out except Jim before mentioned to be sold and the money coming from such rent be applied to raising and schooling my children . . . and to the support of my wife Nancy Cockran during her widowhood and that my said wife is to live on said plantation . . .
Thirdly
I will that at the expiration of seven years from the present date, whatever _? may remain from such rents and _? also my negros, my land and any income . . . be equally divided . . . amoungest my wife Nancy Cockran and my children to wit: My daughter Anna Cockran, my son Hiram Cockran, my daughter Rachael Cockran, my daughter Sally Cockran, and Julia T__?, and also a child my wife Nancy Cockran is now pregnant with . . .
Lastly
. . .appoint . . . Doctor John Bush, my brother David Cockran, my brother in law William Hubbert ?, my nephew John Cockran to be my executors . . . this second day one December one thousand eighteen hundred and one.
http://sites.rootsweb.com/~tnsumner/wtcockran.htm
