Will of William Harper, 1836
Transcribed by Linda Carpenter
©2002TSL&A Microfilm - Roll #91
Probate Records (County or Chancery Court)
Wills Vol. 1 - 5; July 1789 - July 1904
State of Tennessee, Sumner County Court May Term 1836 County Court Clerk's Office
Will Book - Vol. II
May 1823 - June 1842(Page 207)
In the name of God Amen. I William Harper, being conscious that man is born to die, and being at this time in bad health but of sound mind and disposing memory, do at this time proceed to make my Will in the distribution of all my real and personal estate to my wife and children whose names shall hereafter inserted in the following manner to wit:
Item 1st: I give and bequeath unto my wife Rebecca Harper all my land West of the creek, beginning at the fork of the creek near the Willow Grove Meeting House, running the creek to a branch above Benjamin S. Harper's Shop, thence running up said branch and down to the corner of my farm, thence continuing a West course till it strikes the South boundary, thence west, thence North, thence East to the creek.
And I bequeath to Rebecca Harper three negroes, Caty, Sawney & Aaron and three such horses as she may make choice of, and one yoke of oxen and one wagon, two cows and calves, and all the household and kitchen furniture, and one years provision.
I bequeath unto Edmond Harper the tract on which he now lives, and after his death it is to be left his heirs.
I bequeath unto my son Benjamin S. Harper the parcel of land where he now lives on beginning at the branch above the shop where it empties into the creek, thence running up said branch and down to the corner of my farm, thence continuing a West course till it strikes the South line, thence running South, and then running with the old line around to the creek, thence running up said creek to the beginning.
I bequeath unto Samuel W. Harper where he now lives beginning at the fork of the creek near the Willow Grove Meeting House thence running down with the meanders of said creek to Francis Rickman's line.
I bequeath unto Samuel W. Harper one hundred and fifty dollars to make his land equal.
I bequeath to Polly Parker, her part is to be made equal out of the family of blacks.
I bequeath unto General S. Harper, my grandson, twelve hundred and fifty dollars. It is his full portion of my estate and if he dies before he is twenty-one years of age, it is to be equally divided among my four children.
After the death of my wife Rebecca Harper, the land and property which is left to her, is to be sold and divided equally between my four children.
John Parker and Benjamin S. Harper and Samuel W. Harper are appointed guardians for General S. Harper, my grandson.
Now lastly, I do appoint John Parker, Benjamin S. Harper, and Samuel Harper Executors of my last Will and Testament. Sealed Signed & delivered in the presence of these witnesses February 14, 1836.
William Harper (His mark)
Test: Richard Franklin
William T. Stovall
Joseph (his mark) Harper
State of Tennessee, Sumner County Court May Term 1836.
The last Will and Testament of William Harper dec'd was exhibited in open Court for probate and duly proved agreeable to law by the oaths of Richard Franklin and Joseph Harper subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to the record and thereupon Samuel Harper, Benjamin S. Harper, and John Parker the Executors named in the said
(Page 208)
Will, appeared in open Court and agreed to take upon themselves the execution thereof and with William Hall, James L. McKoin, John Turner, and Lewis M. Tomson their securities, entered into and acknowledged their bond to the Governor in the penalty of fifteen thousand dollars, conditioned as the law directs, and took the oath of Executors prescribed by law.
Copy Test - Thos. Donoho, Clerk of Sumner County Court
* William Harper married Patsy Yarbrough, daughter of William Yarbrough, 1785 in Warren County, North Carolina. Patsy Yarbrough Harper died Nov 1792, Warren County, NC, after the birth of their 3rd child. William Harper married Rebecca Bull 26 Dec 1793, Warren County, North Carolina. William and Rebecca Bull Harper moved to Davidson and Sumner County, TN about the year 1795. Source: Sumner County Loose Records, case# 7192, Harper, Edmond vs. Parker, John et al.
| Harper Index |
