Last Will & Testament of
Elam Russell

Line of descent: Elam, Tobias, Louisa, Wilford Morgan, Bob Morgan, Kenneth Morgan

Transcription follows images: Transcription: I Elam Russell do make and publish... (this?) as my last will and testament hereby revoking and making...(void?) all other wills by me at any time made. First I direct...(that?) my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon...(after?) my death as possible out of any money that I may...(die possessed?) of or may first come into the hands of my Executors...(?) Secondly I give to my son Byrass (sic) Russell one dollar...(I give?) to my son Samuel Russell one dollar. I give to my...(daughter?) Eliza Cook one dollar. I give to my daughter Susan...(Austin?) one dollar. I give to my son James Russell one dollar... ( I give?) to my son Edward Russell one dollar. I give to my...(daughter?) Elizabeth Green one dollar. I give to my daughter...(Patsy?) Harper one dollar. I will all my property both real...(and?) personal to my beloved wife Nancy Russell, during...(her?) life or widowhood, but if she should marry she...(should or shall?) have a childs part after her death or marriage. I want...(all my?) personal property to be equally divided between my...(son...?) Thomas and Daughter Ann after deducting one...(hundred?) dollars out of John's part and one hundred dollars...(out of?) Thomas part. I want my land to be equally divided...(between?) my son (sons?) Larkin Luther and Elam. But my wife...(Nancy?) Russell is to live on the land and have possesio...(possession of the?) houses I now occupy and have the controll (sic) of said...(property for?) her support during her widowhood. Lastly I appoint my wife Nancy Russell and R...(C. Carter?) my Executors to this my will. witharal (sic?) binding them...(to?) the same in witness whereof I have hereunto set my...(hand and?) seal. December 29th 1846. Elam Russell (seal?) Signed sealed and published in the presents of December 29th 1846 R. C. Carter(?) William R. (Pistole?) Tennessee Smith County} County Court October Term 1849...(?) (This?) the last will and testament of Elam Russell...(was?) produced in open court for probate and the exe...? (execution thereof?) duly proved in open court by the oaths of R. C. Carter...(and?) William R. Pistole (sic) subscribing witnesses thereto. W...( whereupon?) said will was ordered to be recorded. Attest William V. R. Hal...(Hallum?) Recorded 23rd Oct 1849. (see?) file dated 1849. (The transcriber noted that the copy she had of this will does not clearly show all of the words on the right margin. She notes that she did a line for line transcription of this will in order to try to make clearer the missing text. Where you see the words inserted in (?) is the transcriber's best guess at what the next words may be. The exact content of the original will may read differently than the few words she added.) The will was written December 20,1846 in Smith County, Tennessee, and was proved in the Smith County court during the October term 1849