WILLIAM MARTINS
Last Will & Testament
Set up and established
May Term County Court 1857

In the Name of God; Amen, I WILLIAM MARTIN of the State of Tennessee and County of Dyer being sound in mind and memory but not in usual health do make this my last will and testament as to such worldy goods as I may die possessed of. I dispose of the same as follows.

First: I recommend my soul to God who gave it; and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner.

Secondly; I wish ELIZABETH C. and MARTHA JANE CRIBBS each to have a medium horse in value. JOHN J. to have a cow and calf one Bedstead Feather Bed and furniture. I give my two daughters JULIA F., and VICTORA one horse each as above. Bridle & Saddle one cow & calf, one bed stead Feather Bed & furniture each which will make all of my children equeal the remainder of my children having had such property given off to them here to fore, I also give my son THOMAS W. Eighty acres of land of the west end of the tract of land he now is living on known as the Lenox tract during his life but it is not to be livable for his debt in no way whatever, neither is he to transfer nor sell it; after his death it is to go to his wife and children, he is to have the land at valuation & what may be lacking to make him equeal in the division to be made up in property or money. I wish an equeal division to be made between all of my children, the children of my Daughter ADALINE to have her part equily. ELIZABETH C. CRIBBS & children to have her part & not to be subject to a division with CRIBBS other children the part following to WM. S. STARITT to go to his present wife EMELINE & Children and not to be subject or liable to his debts in any way whatever. I do this because of his much indebtedness & wishing to leave my property to my own children all the rest of my children to have their part and dispose of the same as they may think proper. I wish my land in lots as follows: My home tract of land to be divided in two lots layed off East and west, my seventy three acres occupant tract beginning at the South West corner of the land; that I have set aside to THOMAS W. MARTIN this I wish it and my negro woman ABAGAIL to be valued together so as to make sd. land near equeal with the other lots, the remaining ballance of the tract that THOMAS W. MARTIN'S living on to be considered as one Lot & valued as the same my Town Lot valued & drawn for my remaining three negroes HENRY, MADISON & HARRETT to be valued separately, and after all being valued to be drawn for by my Eight children namedly ELIZABETH C. CRIBBS, JOHN I. ANN MILLER, EMALINE STARETT, MARTHA CRIBBS, JULIA F. VICTORIA & the children of my daughter ADALINE, THOMAS WM. being previously provided for my chattel property to be sold & money if any to be considered in said valuation & division.

I do hereby appoint JOSEPH MILLER Executor of this my last will and testament as witness whereoff I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 14th day of March A. D. 1857.

WILLIAM MARTIN (Seal)

Witnesses:
JOS. PRICHARD
T. J. FRAZIER