Will of Richard Jones (1805, Robertson County, TN)

Date: 31 Jan 1805 [unknown]
Location: Robertson, Tennessee, United States
Surname/tag: Jones

WILL OF RICHARD JONES

In the name of God Amen.

I Richard Jones now of the County of Robertson, being of sound and disposing memory, make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, viz:

My will and my desire is that my Executors herein after named shall have full power and authority to lay out and appropriate as they may see cause all the monies I have due me, together with whatever may be raised from time to time by my estate, in the purchase of lands and other things necessary for the comfort and convenience of my wife and three youngest children and the education of my two sons Thomas and John.

Mv Will and desire is that my beloved wife Martha Jones shall have the right to enjoy during her life such part of the land directed to be purchased by my Executors as they may deem necessary, and at her death I Will the same land to my son Thomas provided he choses to take it under the condition hereafter expressed.

The balance of land purchased by my Executor I Will to be equally divided between my two sons Thomas and John, provided Thomas should arrive to the years of maturity and choose to settle himself off before his mother's death, should this take place or not my Will is that the land at my wife's death be equally divided according to value and choice given my son Thomas — my Will further is, should either of my sons die before they arrive to the years of twenty-one or marry, then and in that case the survivor shall be entitled to choice of the two lots and have an equal share of the other half with his brother Richard Jones, to them and their heirs forever.

I leave unto my beloved wife Martha Jones during her life the following negros, viz.: Sil, Peter, Isham, Nancy and Aggy with their past and future increase except John and Celina children of *Nancy, also Sue with her youngest child Humphrey and future increase which said negros at her death I Will to be equally divided amongst all my children or their legal issue to them and their heirs forever.

I also confirm unto my beloved wife the legacy of negros devised her by her father deceased to be disposed of amongst her children as she shall think proper.

I give devise and bequeath unto my son Richard H. Jones the bonds I hold on John Morgan of the County of Amelia Virginia for the sum of Three Hundred and Ninety Pounds, together with Two Hundred and Seventy Pounds Specie which two sums amount to the sale of his land in Virginia also one half of the crop of tobacco and wheat made on his land last year. I also give and devise my said son Richard the following negros, viz.: David, Humphrey, Nancy and Tab with their past and future increase to him and his heirs forever — I confirm to my said son the gift made him by his Grandfather Rowland Ward of Mingo and give unto him a sorrel horse called Snip and two feather beds and furniture.

I give and devise unto my daughter Martha Jones the following negros, viz.: Judy and Jennie with their past and future increase to her and her heirs forever. I also give to Wood Jones her husband a free discharge from the payment of all monies I have from time to time let him have.

I Will and devise unto my daughter Dorothy C. Jones specially as a part of her legacy, Celina with her future increase to her and her heirs forever.

I give and devise unto my son Thomas Jones, specially as a part of his legacy John, son of Nancy, to him and his heirs forever.

I give and devise unto my son John Jones specially as a part cf his legacy Edward Ward to him and his heirs forever.

My Will arid desire is that all the rest of my estate of every description be kept together under the direction of my Executors for the support of my wife and three youngest children, and to be divided equally amongst them as they become of age or marry.

It is my Will that my estate be neither inventoried or appraised.

I constitute and appoint my friends Peter Jones and Edward Ward Executors to this my last Will and Testament, revoking all others heretofore made by me.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 31st day of January, 1805.

(Signed) Richard Jones (B).

Signed, sealed and declared as his last Will and Testament

in the presence of

Samuel Scoot, D, Sayre, Peter Hawson, Edward Jones. N. B. — This addition to my Will I make in presence of the witnesses before I sign the general body of devises: I lend unto my daughter Martha Jones during her life time a negro girl by name Sally, which said girl with future increase, my said daughter Martha is at liberty to will amongst her children as she may think proper.

It is my Will and should either my children lose before di-vision the negro specially Willed to them, then and in that case, the child or children so losing their negro or negros shall be at liberty to choose another out of the general stock of equal value. (Signed) Richard Jones (B).

Witness:

Samuel Scoot, D. Sayre, Peter Hawson, Edward Ward.

Robertson County, May Term, 1805.

The foregoing last Will and Testament of Richard Jones, deceased, was proven in open Court by the oaths of Samuel Scoot and Edward Jones two of the subscribing witnesses there- to, and ordered to be recorded.

Thos. Johnson, Clerk of Robertson County.