Jonathan Cheshire Sr's Will, May 1841, Hardeman Co, TN

I, Jonathan Cheshire Senior, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any other time made.

First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any monies that I may die possessed of, or that may first come into the hands of my executors.

Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my son Tennison Cheshire my negro slave Ness.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my son Jonathan Cehshire my negro slave Alexander.

Fourthly, I do give and bequeath unto my six children, Mary Ann Cheshire, Ruthy Ann Cheshire, Martha Sain Cheshire, Manerva Cheshire, Pitser Miller Cehshire and Thomas Jefferson Cheshire, my negro slaves Jesse, Thomas, Mary, Hall, Fanny, Daniel and Nelson, to be equally divided between said six above named children, whenever Mary Ann Cheshire shall come to the age of twenty one, or at the twenty fifth day of December 1846. I do also give and bequeath unto the above named Mary Ann Cheshire, Ruthy Ann Cheshire, Martha Sain Cheshire, Manerva Cheshire, Pitser Miller Cheshire and Thomas Jefferson Cheshire, all my land and freehold estate in Tennessee, with the exception of one acre of ground which I give and bequeath unto the Methodist Episcopal Church at Salem Meeting House, to include the said meeting house and burying ground, to be equally divided between the said named six children whenever Thomas Jefferson Cheshire shall come to the age of twenty one years, or at the twenty fifth of December in the year of our Lord 1860. I also give and bequeath unto the above named six children all my household and kitchen furniture that I may leave at my death.

Fifthly, I do give and bequeath unto my daughters Sarah Gentry Jarvis, Nancy Coleman Orrell, Elizabeth B. Miller, also the heirs of my daughters Priscilla Sain, Susanna Jarvis and Lucy Sain, my negro slave Peg and my two stud horses to be sold and the proceeds to go to the above named daughters, Sarah Gentry Jarvis, Nancy Coleman Orrell, Elizabeth B. Miller, also the heirs of my daughters Priscilla Sain, Susanna Jarvis and Lucy Sain. I also give and bequeath all my freehold estate and the proceeds thereof that is in North Carolina unto Tennison Cheshire, Jonathan Cheshire, Sarah Gentry Jarvis, Nancy Coleman Orrell, Elizabeth B. Miller, the heirs of Priscilla Sain, Susanna Jarvis and Lucy Sain, to be equally divided between them. I also direct that after my death that all the property that I may leave not otherwise disposed of in this my Will be equally divided between my six children Mary Ann Cheshire, Ruthy Ann Cheshire, Martha Sain Cheshire, Manerva Cheshire, Pitser Miller Cheshire and Thomas Jefferson Cheshire. I also nominate and appoint my sons Tennison Cheshire and Jonathan Cheshire my Executors.

In Witness whereof, I do to this my Will set my hand and seal this 2nd day of May, 1841.

Jonathan Cheshire (seal)

Signed, sealed and published
in our presence and we have
suscribed hereto in the presence
of the Testator

Joel Raines
William Macon


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