I Haywood Bledsoe do make & publish this as my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made.
1st I do direct that all my funeral expences & all my debts to be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any money that I may be possessed of or may come into the hands of my Executors. 2nd I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Dorothy during her life or widdowhood; the following discribed slaves & property to-wit, Ross Rachel Bob & Lemuel & all my stock Hogs & Cattle four choice mules & also Two horses. 3rd I give and bequeath to my son Boyd three negroes Stephen Wilson and Tabb. Stephen to be bound to Esqr Carson to learn the Tanning trade, say, three years. 4th I give and bequeath to my son Ballard three negros Carroll Hubbard & Addeline. 5th I give & bequeath to my Daughter Jane Buby three negros Jenny & child Milly and Martha. 5th My Servant Ned to be hired out annually & the proceeds used in educating my wifes & my own children, and it is my desire that my wifes children to have each a horse saddle & Bridle as they become of age. 6th. The proceeds of my fatning hogs & all the notes & accounts & cash on hand that may come into the hands of my Executors over and above the demands against the estate to be loaned out on interest & equally divided among my own children as they become of age. It is my desire that if my wife Dorothy thinks it advisable at some reasonable & proper time to purchase out of my estate one negro girl each for her two daughters Betsy Ann & Mary of about their age and give my estate (De two boys) that now belong to Smith's estate. Its my desire that a carryall or some plain carriage be bought out of my estate for the Special use & benefit of my wife & children. And I wish my land to remain as it is for the use and benefit of raising my family. Its my desire that Yancy Bledsoe & John K Clark be my Executors. Its also my desire that the property left my wife after her death or marriage belong to my own children.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 9th Nov 1839
Haywood Bledsoe
In the presence of
Richmond S. Cole
Maston C. Randal
Saml. A. Allen
State of Tennessee)
Carroll County Court) December Term 1839
This day the last will and Testament of Haywood Bledsoe was produced in open court and the due execution of the same was proven by the oaths of S. Cole & Maston C. Randal witnesses to said will as being the last will & Testament of said Haywood Bledsoe. Whereupon John K. Clark one of the executors mentioned in said will & entered into Bond as one of the executors of the same in the penal sum of Twenty thousand dollars with John Clark & Richmond S. Cole his securities thereto & took the oath the law directs.
A Copy Test
George Hern Clerk
By J. R. Smith D. C.