Will of Jesse Reeve
Greene County, Tennessee
Will Book 1, p. 233
Written 12 Jul 1841
Proven 6 Sep 1841
Transcription
As it is appointed for all men once to die, I Jesse Reeve of Greene County and State of Tennessee Knowing the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First I desire to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner, the funeral expenses to be paid out of my estate, Secondly I desire that all my just debts be paid out of my estate by my executors, Thirdly I give and bequeath to my wife Ann Reeve during her natural life two thirds of the plantation I now live on including the dwelling house and all other buildings together with all my stock of any discreption (sic) and all my farming tools with all the household & kitchen furnature and all the grain and hay that is on hands and growing or as much thereof as she may need, if there should be any surplus of stock grain or any other property that she does not need - it is to be sold by my Executors at public or private sale as they may think best. She is also to have the service of my negro man, Tom during her life - Fourthly I give to my two sons Thomas Jefferson and Jesse Smith my plantation in Cocke county to be equally divided between them in value - Fifthly I give my son Jesse Smith a Note of hand on Henry & Isaac Earnest for two hundred dollars - and my famiy Bible at the old lady’s death - Sixthly I give my son George Washington the use of one third of the plantation I now live on during his mother’s natural life by his being out one third of the expense of keeping up the plantation also I give him Seven hundred dollars in cash to be paid to him by my Executors out of the money arising from the sale of the plantation and other property after the death of the old lady to be paid to him as the Executors sees he needs it - but in case he should die without a lawful heir, the Seven hundred dollars or any part thereof not made use of to be equally divided between all my living children - Seventhly, At the death of my Wife, the plantation I now live on and all the other property that may be on hand to be sold by my Executors at public Vandue or private sale as they may think best and the money arising therefrom after paying the seven hundred dollars mentioned above to be equally divided between my daughters together with all I have heretofore given them which I consider about equal The portion coming to my daughter Elizabeth Wall deceased to be paid to her children by my Executors as they come of age - Eighthly, At the death of my Wife, my negro man Tom is to be hired out, and the money arising from his hire to be kept by my Executors for to support him in old age if he should need it and at his death if there should be any left to be divided equally among my children. And lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son Jesse Smith and my Soninlaw Isaac Earnest my sold Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day of July 1841. No Security required of the Executor -Signed sealed and pronounced by Jesse § Isaac Reeve (seal)
Reeve to be his last Will and Testament in §
The presence of James Riddle §
James Fox §