William Hooper's 1825

State of Tennessee
Montgomery County

In the name of God Amen. I William Hooper of the County and State aforesaid being weak and low in body but of sound mind and perfect memory do constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament. After all my just debts are paid I do give and bequeth all my worldly estate in manner and form following, that is

• I give unto my beloved wife Sarah Hooper all my estate consisting of lands, negroes, stock, household and kitchen, farming, plantation utensils and to use and improve for the maintainance of my children who are now in a state of Minority during the term of her natural life or widowhood, and if she should marry, it is my will that she shall have one negro girl named Hannah and one named Sarah and one named Lewerese for her use during her natural life and at her death she is to give them with increase to some or all of her children as she may think fit and if she dies without a will they are to be equally divided amongst all of her children, and furthermore she is to have one horse saddle and bridle one bed and furniture one cow and calf and she is to have the use of the plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and then it is to be sold and equally divided amongst all my children
• furthermore it is my will that each of my children that is now in a state of minority, to wit James B. Hooper and Peggy Montgomery and Burrel Young Hooper, when each of them shall marry or come of age that they shall become an equal part with the rest that has married, that is one horse, saddle, and bridle, one bed and furniture, one cow and calf, and as much more as my wife Sarah Hooper shall think right so as to amount to one hundred and twenty dollars
• and furthermore it is my will that James B. Hooper should have fifty dollars worth of my personal property for a mare that his Grandmother Hollis gave him which was sold for fifty dollars
• and also that Peggy Montgomery Hooper should have one bed and furniture that her Grandmother gave her
• it is further my will that after the death of my wife Sarah Hooper that all my estate both real and personal which has not otherwise been appropriated should then be sold and equally divided between all my children named as follows
  • Polly Berry
  • Wilson Hooper
  • Elizabeth Davis
  • Pheraby Young
  • Asa Hooper
  • Frances Lemaster
  • Sally Holt
  • James B. Hooper
  • Peggy Hooper
  • Burrel Hooper
• and I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Sarah Hooper and Robert Davis my lawful executors to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 17th day of June anno domini Eighteen Hundred and Twenty Five.

William Hooper

signed and sealed in presence of

Daniel Oglesby
Joseph Smith jurat
Elizabeth Oglesby jurat
Mathew Smith jurat

Recorded April Term 1827