Will of Wilson Grimes, dated 23 November 1867 Will of Wilson Grimes, dated 23 Nov 1867
Wayne County, Tennessee
I Wilson Grimes of the County of Wayne and State of Tennessee being of sound mind and memory and being seized(?) of uncertainty of life and knowing the certainty of death do make, publish and proclaim this my last will and testament hereby revoking making null and void all other wills by me heretofore made.
First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all just debts be paid by my executrix out of any money that may be on hand or the first that comes into her hands.
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anna Grimes all the real and personal estate that I may dye ____ * and possessed of, that is to say all the household and kitchen furniture and all other perishable property, that is except to heads of family's and should there be any other personal property on hands at my death I direct that my executrix sell the same on a credit of twelve months taking ____ and approved security for the same. Said real and personal property given or set apart to my beloved wife Anna Grimes is to be used and controlled by her during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage I direct that my property both real and personal be dispersed of as follows (to wit)
I give to Matila J. Montague a certain portion of my land as follows beginning on a ____ the S.E. corner of an entry in the name of _____ ______ for 60 acres, running north passing the S.W. corner in the name of James Elliott for 50 acres to Mill Creek, then down said creek to and huckberry standing inside of the fence thence, Northwestedly to a sycamore and on to Hardin's Creek then down said creek with it's meanders to Matilda J. Montague line thence so as to include all my land South and West of said lines supose'd to be about thirty acres to have and to hold the same to her forever }
2nd I give to my sone J. E. Grimes the following track of land. Beginning on the NW corner of a track of his land. Beginning on the N.W. corner of a track of his land deeded to him by myself for about 150 acres running down the creek with a fence on the east side of the creek to the lane thence Eastwardly with the fence to the corner of the field. Thence Southwardly with the fence to his N.E. corner thence with his line to the mouth of a hollow and up said hollow or branch to the corner of an entry in the name of John Grimes thence Southwardly to the line of James E. Grimes land supposed to be about 40 acres to have and hold the same to him forever
3rd I give to my daughter Sintha Ann Webster** the following track of land ___ Beginning on the N.W. Corner of James E. Grimes track running North 40º West 73 poles down the creek thence South 59º West 28 poles to a stake thence South 5º East 15 poles to a stake thence South 45º East 70 poles to a ___ and ____ pointers thence South 20 poles to a ____ thence South 20º West 18 poles thence South 134 poles to a rock thence East to the top of the ridge thence with the top of said ridge to the south boundary of Wilson Grimes land thence East with said line to the corner of James E. Grimes S.W. corner thence with James E. Grimes line to the beginning Supposed to be about 250 acres to have and to hold the same to him and his bodily airs forever.
Forthly I give all the balance of my home lands or that portion of my home track on the South side of Hardin's Creek and not heretofore disposed of to my sone Henry S. Grimes to have and to hold the same unto him forever.
Fifthly, should there be any other lands undisposed of at my wifes death or marriage, I direct that it be sold on a credit of one and two years credit with note and approved security and retaining a lean on the land same until repaid also I direct that any and all of my personal property be sold and credit of twelve months taking approved security after the death or marriage of my wife Anna Grimes.
Sixth I direct that the proceeds of said sales together with any and all means that may belong to my said estate be divided as follows. I, having heretofore given two hundred dollars to each as follows. To Elihu S. Grimes, William G Grimes, Saphrona A. Fuson, Emily E. Biffle, and not having given anything to my grandson George Green Grimes sone of Harum A. Grimes*** Decd. nor to my sone George H. Grimes I direct that there be first give to the said George Green Grimes Two hundred dollars and I also give two hundred dollars to the heirs of my son George H. Grimes to make them equal with the other mentioned heirs having therefore received two hundred dollars each, the balance of said funds I direct be equally divided between the said heirs of George H. Grimes, George Green Grimes and the heirs of Elihu S. Grimes Decd. And William G. Grimes Deceased Sophrnia A. Fuson Decd. and to Emily E. Biffle, and it is my will and desire that my sone Henry S. Grimes continued to live with my wife after my death and take care of her and help her controll and manage my farm, and I further direct that he have the use of as much land as he can cultivate free of rent during my wifes lifetime or widowhood.
Lastly, I nominate and appoint my wife Ann Grimes, my executrix to this will during her lifetime or widowhood and I appoint my sons James E. Grimes and Henry S. Grimes executors to take charge of my & carry out the provisions of this will after the expiration of my wifes term, and it is my desire and I hereby request the county court of Wayne County to allow all of them to enter upon the discharge of their respected duty purtaining to the execution of said trust as executrix and executors by taking from them ____ without security In testimony whereof I here unto sit my name and affix my seal this 23rd day of November AD 1867.
Examined and enter lined
Before signing the same done
in our presence Wilson Grimes (Seal)Witnesseth
John C. Grimes
Jonathan HollandsworthNOTES:
Transcribed from a photocopy of a handwritten will, retaining original spelling.
Words too deteriorated to read have been indicated by an underscore ____
* - Here he originally wrote "Seized" but scratched it through and wrote something else above it
** - Something has been written beneath this line that appears to say "and her Godely air,"
*** - I believe this is supposed to be Wilson's son Hiram Alexander Grimes, but the spelling in the handwritten will appears to be Harum A Grimes.