William
Mays - Will Dated 15 Nov 1818; Rec. June 1819 Jefferson County, TN, Will Book
2, p. 228
In the
name of God Amen I William Maze of Jefferson County and State of Tennessee
being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I
thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous
to dispose of all such worldly substance as hath pleased God to bless me with,
I give and bequeath the same in manner following that is to say:
lst I
desire that my Executors hereafter named, may sell so much of the perishable or
loos property such as out running stock as will pay all my -just debts which
may remain unpaid at my decease
2nd
After paying my debts, I give to my beloved Lydia Maze Two hundred Acres of
land I now live on including the mansion house with all the improved lands
together with the stock of all description, farming utensils and house hold
furniture during the term of her natural life and at her death I give to my son
William Maze the said two hundred acres of land so left to my wife to him and
his heirs forever.
3rd I
give to four grandsons, sons of Noah Witts two hundred acres of land it being a
part of the tract I now live on Beginning near Samuel Maze fence to include and
all the buildings and improvements and Lands improved where Noah Witt now lives
running up or near what is called the dry branch to include a place known by
the name of the Rich Hollow to be equally divided between them when the
youngest one comes of age to wit: William Witt, Anderson Witt, Enoch Witt, and
James Witt, to them and their heirs forever at the same time reserving the
benefits of the sugar orchard on said land for my wife during her natural life
and no longer.
4th I give
to my two sons James Maze and Lemuel Maze the remaining one hundred of land
belonging to said tract to be equally divided between them after my decease, so
that each of them be allowed to hold the part they live on
5th I give
to my daughter Fanny Maze one Sorrel Mare saddle and bridle, one Cow, one bed
and furniture to her forever
6th I give
to my daughter Patsy Maze one brown Mare, saddle and bridle, one Cow, and one
bed and furniture to her forever.
7th I give
to my son Gardner Maze one Dollar to him forever
8th I give
to my son John Maze one dollar to him forever
9th I give
to my son Caleb Maze one dollar to him forever
10th I give
to my daughter Milly Witt one dollar to her forever
11th I give
to my daughter Sally McDonaldson ('?) one dollar to her forever
12th I give
to my daughter Rodah Snodqrass one dollar to her forever
13th
It is my desire that my wife Lydia Maze at her death should dispose of all the
perishable & personal property which she may be possessed of at that time
in Such way as she may think proper
14th I
further make good all the property I have heretofore given to my children at
the time they married or at any time since to them and their heirs forever to
wit: Gardner Maze, John Maze, Caleb Maze, Milly Maze Witt, Sally McDonald,
& Rodah Snodgrass. And lastly I do hereby Constitute and appoint my friends
Lydia Maze and John McFarland Executrix and Executor of this my last will and
testament hereby revoking all others or former wills or Testaments by me
heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the
fifteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and eighteen.
William
Maze X His Mark
Signed
sealed and published and declared to be the last will and testament of the
above named
William Maze in presence of us who at his request and in his presence
have
hereunto subscribed our names as witness to the same.
Chestyy Jarnigan Henry Bradford
State of
Tennessee Jefferson County June Session 1819
Then was the
last will and Testament of William Maze Dec'd duly proven in open
Court and
recorded. Jas. Hamilton Clk
by his
Deputy Jas Hamilton, Jr