Last Will and Testament of Joseph Barnes, dated 17 Dec 1794, Sumner County, TN

Joseph Barnes married Selah DeLoach in about 1767 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Selah was the daughter of Samuel DeLoach and his wife Mary Boykin. The family moved to what would become Sumner County, TN, probably around 1790 when Selah's brother William DeLoach and her uncle John DeLoach made the move with their families.

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In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Barnes of Sumner County and Territory South the Ohio, being weak in body but of sound perfect Mind and Memory do Make and ordain this to be My last will and Testament-Making this and no other to remain my last will and Testament and as for my worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to help me with; I give and dispose of the Same in the following Manner

I give and bequeath unto My daughter Molly Clay My Negro boy Named Jim Now in her possession to she and her heirs forever.

I lend unto My loving wife Selah Barnes all the remainder of my estate, Stock of all kind and household goods and furniture_ This I lend unto her during her life

My will and desire is that the Negros, stock of all (torn) and household goods and furniture be held together to raise maintain and support My wife and children, and also I lend unto My loving wife the plantation where I now live until My son William Barnes arrives to the age of twenty one years.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Polly and Son John Barnes and daughter Julan and My daughter Selah and Son Kintchen and my Son William and daughter Milly all my estate that is not singular mentioned in Legacies, Negros, Stock of all kind house hold goods and furniture to be equally divided then and there increase at my wife's decease or when my daughter Milly Comes of age_ This I give and bequeath to be equally divided among My seven Children at My wife's decease, or when my daughter Milly Comes of age. I give and bequeath unto My Son William Barnes one hundred acres of land, together with the plantation where I now live and him to be possessed of the land when he arrives to the age of twenty one.

And Lastly I do hereby Constitute and appoint My wife Selah Barnes and Son John Barnes executors to this My last will and Testament utterly evoking all other wills by me forever.

Joseph Barnes (seal)

Signed, sealed and acknowledged to be My last will and Testament this Seventeenth day of December 1794
Interlined before assigned in the nineteenth line or when My daughter Milly Comes of age.
Test. John Deloach
Wm Cartweight                      Recorded or Examined April 15th 1795
John Roberts