CLAIBORNE COUNTY, TENNESSEE Will Book, Volume 2

Will of ELIJAH W. RICHARDS, deceased In the name of God, Amen. I, Elijah W. Richards, being weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

1st, my will and desire is that after my death my body be decently buried in a Christian like manner, and that my funeral expenses be paid and all my just debts out of any money that may be on hand or that may first come into the hands of my Executors.

2nd, I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary, all of my estate, both real and personal, during her natural life, and after her death, my will is that my wife dispose of such property as she may be possessed of as may best suit her own notion, either by sale or division, among my children, so as to give all an equal part. As to my slaves, my will is that my wife keep them during her natural life, provided she can manage them without too much trouble, and if they should be troublesome and disobedient so that she cannot manage them, then my will is that they be sold to the highest bidder and the money loaned at interest, and that my wife have so much of the money from time to time as she may have need of during her natural life. And if there should be any of said money left at her death, my will is that it be divided equally amongst my children as above directed.

And I do hereby nominate and appoint my wife Mary, and James Shoemaker, my Executors to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I, the said Testator, Elijah W. Richards, have to this my last will, set my hand and seal this 11th day of April in the year 1853. Test: Thomas W. Bellamy Thomas C. Bellamy Elijah W. Richards

Inventory of the Estate of ELIJAH W. RICHARDS, deceased Personal property includes: Horse, mare, mule colt, four head of cattle, 21 head of sheep, one two horse wagon and gearing, wooden clock, corner cupboard and furniture, falling leaf table, four feather beds and furniture, set of farming tools, set of wagon making tools, crosscut saw, handsaw, broad axe, two chopping axes, two iron wedges, household and kitchen furniture, man’s saddle and saddle bags, woman’s saddle, account on William McKee for $13.00; account on Mason Poor for $2.00

Negro woman named Sarah, aged about 55 years Negro man named Nelson, aged between 30 and 40 years One negro girl aged 15 years

Settlement with JAMES SHOEMAKER and MARY RICHARDS, Executors of the Estate of ELIJAH W. RICHARDS, deceased In the last will and testament of Elijah W. Richards, all of the estate of the deceased was given to his wife Mary Richards, after his debts and funeral expenses were paid, and the Executors have paid all the debts against the estate, and the clerk’s fee for settling up the estate, which in the whole amounts to the sum of $100.22 ½.

I will here state that James Shoemaker resigned his executorship at the last term of this court, and the Court ordered Shoemaker to come in and make settlement of the estate, and report to the Court , which they have done, and Shoemaker surrenders over all the goods and chattels and effects of the estate, both real and personal, to the widow of the deceased, Mary Richards, for which she acknowledges the receipt thereof, this 11th day of October 1854.

Thomas J. Johnson, Clerk