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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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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