Sunday, April 19, 2015

Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop is my fifth great grandfather, through his daughter Hannah Bishop. Hannah married Enoch Townsend and they had Hannah Townsend who married William Harmon. William and Hannah Harmon were the parents of Nancy Harmon and twelve other children. Today I found Joseph's will at Family Search.

In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Bishop Senior on Mulberry Creek Claiborne County E Tennessee being now in the eightieth year of my age common health and of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial in the graveyard at the Mulberry Gap Baptist meeting house at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And is touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

Mulberry Gap Baptist Church. Photo posted to the Find-A-Grave website for
Mulberry Gap Cemetery. Used here by permission of Phil Cheek.

            First I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first monies that shall come into the hands of my executors from any portion of my estate either real or personal.

            Secondly, I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Lucy Bishop whom I make and ordain an executrix of this my last will and testament my dwelling house, kitchen barn stable or stable houses out houses all except those erected by my son Lewis Bishop and my soninlaw William Edwards and the lots on which they stand which have been erected by them of late on my premises together with all the household furniture beds goods chattels thereof and as much of the live stock and the produce which is raised on my present farm out of the rents arising therefrom as will be sufficient for a comfortable and decent support for her during her lifetime without being liable at any time to become chargeable to the county or state by a county levy and the remainder of the live stock and grain which is the overplus of her support I direct to be equally divided (p112) amongst the ten of my following heirs viz Elisha Bishop, Joseph Bishop jr., Elijah Bishop, Jonathan Bishop, Rebecca Adams, William Bishop, James Bishop, Lewis Bishop, William Edward, and Hannah Townsend, share and share alike in every respect But because Hanna Townsend has been dead some years past I therefore direct that her share or portion be equally divided amongst her own born children that shall be living at the time of making this said division which must be done by three Judicious citizens of the County Share and share alike amongst them. As it respects the out standing debts that are owing to me either by notes of hand Bonds or accounts of any kind I direct that my executors collect them or cause them so to be done and after deducting all proper and lawful costs and charges thereof then divide them equally amongst my ten mentioned heirs in the same manner as before stated. As my son Lewis Bishop and my soninlaw William Edwards of late have cleared and put into culture some new lands I allow them to have the said new lands another year yet rent free. But I give and bequeath to my son Lewis Bishop fifteen acres of land in the Southeast corner of the tract on which I reside to be laid off in a regular foursided figure to be freely enjoyed by him his heirs and assigns forever. As my son Lewis and soninlaw William Edwards have of late erected several houses and other kinds of buildings on my premises I direct that the buildings and the lots of which they stand be rent free to my son and soninlaw as long as they reside in them but when they move from my present farm and premises then the houses and other buildings and lots shall revert to my personal and real estate. But from the time of my decease to the death of my beloved wife I direct that the land which is not reserved be rented to the best tenant that can be obtained on it and the overplus of the rent after taking what will be sufficient for the support of my wife in every (p113) respect to be divided amongst my heirs in the same manner as aforesaid.

Photo taken by Phillip Walker and posted to Picasa.
To see more of Phillip's photos click the link below.


            And finally after the death of my wife I direct that the tract of land on which I reside (except the reserves before mentioned) the dwelling house kitchen and all the other houses and buildings with the household furniture beds and goods and chattels be equally divided amongst my ten heirs as aforesaid. And the tract of land on which my daughter Rebecca Adams lives known by the name of the Grassy Spring place I direct that Rebecca Adams reside on it as heretofore till the death of my wife then I direct that the land with all the house outhouses and other buildings and its appurtenances be equally divided amongst my ten heirs as aforesaid. And I do hereby make and ordain the following ones of my sons and heirs with my beloved wife the executors and executrix of this my last will and testament viz Elijah Bishop Johnathan Bishop William Bishop, James Bishop, Lewis Bishop, my soninlaw William Edwards and my beloved wife Lucy Bishop executors & executrix of this my last will and testament written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this 28th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three
Signed sealed and delivered
In the presence of us who
have subscribed in the presence of each other

Joseph Bishop X his mark (seal)
Thomas Vandeventer X his mark
John Jones
Obediah Riley
Levi Nave

SOURCE: Will found at familysearch.org. 
Tennessee, Probate Court Books, 1795-1927 Claiborne Wills, 1844-1850, Vol. B, Images 63 and 64

            

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