Smith Co., TN. - Will Book 1, Pg. 307-309
In the name of God Amen. I, William Bilbo, of Smith Co., Dixon Springs, and State of Tennessee, being weak in body, but sound and perfect mind and memory considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, viz
I do give confirm and bequeath unto William Goodall and wife, Helen, all the negroes, bed and furniture, and mare given to his wife to belong to them their heirs forever which is given to them as the full share of my estate.
I do give confirm and bequeath unto Don c. Dixon and his wife, Elizabeth Harriet, all the negroes, bed and furniture I have given to his wife to belong to them their heirs forever which is given to them as the full share of my estate.
The balance of my estate I bequeath and dispose of in the folling manner, viz - to my wife, Martha, during her natural life one negro girl named Beck, and one boy named Tom, one horse saddle and bridle, one feather bed and furniture, and after her death to be equally divided amongst all my wifes children, Mary Bilbo, Barbary Bilbo, Martha Washington Bilbo, Agnes Goode Bilbo, and William Nicholas Bilbo and their heirs forever. All the balance of my estate I wish equally divided amongst my wife, Martha, and her children before mentioned as the law would do provided had not made this will except my son, William Nichols, who I bequeath seven hundred and fifty dollars to be paid out of my estate for the purpose of educating him to be appropriated as it may be necessary for his education.
I do will and bequeath unto Don C. Dixon and his wife, Elizabeth Harriet, all the part of her estate coming from her great grandfather Zachariah Hendrick, and her Grandfather John Hendrick, to be collected by Don C. Dixon as he has part of the papers in his possession relative to the business for the use and benefit of him and her and their heirs forever.
Whereas I am security to a note give by Don C. Dixon to William Owen for twelve hundred and fifty dollars given to said Owen for a land warrant of one thousand acres. Now should said note not be paid by said Dixon and the same be recovered and collected from my estate my request is that the said Dixon will execute a deed and transfer land in the Chickasaw Co. to my wife and her children before mentioned of a sufficient quantity and quality that they may be fully compensated for said twelve hundred and fifty dollars interest and cost that may accrue, the land to be of such quality and quantity as my Executor or Executors may be satisfied with for the aforesaid amount.
Whereas there is a certain woman named Judith Kennon whomy father left property in my hands for her maintenance during life I request that she should be well maintained as she has lived with me for twenty years or thereabouts, that property if she think proper be maintained by my wife as she has heretofore. I wish her to live with my wife and the negroes to be subject to my wifes order and control for her support during her life. In the event of my wife dying first I wish her to be maintained by my estate and no property given to her said Judith Kennons possession by my Executor or Executors.
In addition to what I have given and bequeather to William Goodall and his wife, I bequeath and allow said Goodall and his heirs that he may have by his wife Helen to have all the one fourth part that may be due or coming from the estate of wife Helen`s great grandmother Elizabeth R. Kellow, of South Hampton Co., VA. to him and the heirs that he may have by his wife Helen forever.
I request that my executor or executors will apply to my agent, Charles Baskerville of Mecklenburg Co., VA., for a full account that he has paid of my Rhoanoake Shares if not sold I wish my executor or executors to sell them for a fair price and the money arising therefrom to be considered as part of my estate. I wish my Executor or Executors also to call on said Charles Baskerville to render to account of all monies paid for me since I left the State of VA. out of the balance of a bond I held on Col. Mark Allexander of Mecklenburg Co., VA. 20 May 1820 whatever balance there may be due on account of said Bond I wish my said agent Charles Baskerville to pay over to my Executor or Executors and my further request is that my agent Charles Baskerville will make ample satisfaction to Col. Grief James Hamilton and myself for their services and all other expenses attending said suite.
Lastly, I nominate and appoint William Goodall of Carthage and Ann Ellen Bugg of Sumner Co., TN. executors to this last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills herefore made by me.
In witness whereof the said William Bilbo have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at Carthage on Tuesday the 1st day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
/s/ William Bilbo
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named William Bilbo to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. In the presence of him the said William Bilbo. Interlined before signed.
/s/ Harry Hogg, Junr., /s/ John M. Smith, /s/ Tally Smith (or Sally Smith)