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REV. THOMAS McLAIN |
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ca 1855 |
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In the name of God. Amen. I , Thomas McLain of the County Of Grene and State of Tennessee being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, knowing that it is appointed once for all men to die, I therefore think proper to make this my last will and Testament. First I recommend my soul in the hands of almighty God who gave the same and my body to the earth to be buried in some decent burial. First I direct that all my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any monies that I do possess or first come into any of the hands of my Executors and as touching such wordly property to herewith it has pleased Almighty God to bless me with in this world. I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form to wit: First, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth the plantation on which I live now. She is to have the Proffits of said place during her natural life and at her death. My son Jonathan is to have one hundred acres of said land (Namely the ---- ? ----) original tract together with all the improvements thereon) that at her death he is to have the above named tract inclusively as his own and as a compensation for what he had done in supporting me, and for this compensation given to my son Jonathan (namely the above tract of land) he is to see to me and his mother (viz my wife Elizabeth) during both our natural lives and to take care of us and give us a plentiful support in all such things as may be necessary to make us comfortable through life. I also give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth all of the stock of which I am and may be possessed of at my death namely the hores, cattle, hogs and sheep -- and also all the farming utensils. My just debts paid out of said property and she is then to have said stock and property during her natural life together with half the increase of said stock before mentioned and I also allow my son Jonathan the other half of the increase of the above stock after my death until the death of his mother and for which compensation he is to take good care of his mother. Part of the stock and the property or stock that he now claims or that which he may raise, buy or otherwise be possessed of shall be his own exclusively together with half of the above named increase to dispose of as he may deem proper. And if the stock that I have given to my wife and the increase as above named at her death said stock to be sold on a twelve months credit and the money when collected by my Executor to be equally divided among my sons Daniel McLain, Joseph McLain, George McLain, John McLain, Clark McLain, and my daughters Nancy Harvey, Deborah Henry, and Elizabeth Vernon. Further I give and bequeath to my son Murrell McLain fifty acres of land which I entered lying on Caney Creek adjoining the old original tract, together with the improvements thereon. He is to have as his own exclusively as a compensation for one hundred dollars which he paid to me, and for which compensation he is to need in seeing to me and my wife Elizabeth as occasions may require. Further I give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth all the household furniture for her own and to dispose of the same as she may think proper. Lastly I nominate, --- and ordain my son Murrell McLain and my son Jonathan McLain as my Executors of this my last will and testament. I also revoke and dismiss all my former wills and testaments in and by these present I acknowledge this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this September nineteenth, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven. ( signed ) Thomas McLain ( seal ) Witnesses: (Greene County, TN,
Will Book 1, pages 445-6 (Minute 22, page 195) |