William B. Tate, Sr.
Grainger Co., TN
25 Sep 1899
Will of WILLIAM B. TATE, Sr. Be it known, that I, William B. TATE, Sr., of Grainger County, Tennessee, being frail of body but sound of mind and memory, do hereby make and publish this, my last will and testament, that is to say -
Item 1: I give and bequeath to John NOE and wife for and during the period of their joint and several lives the tract of land in Grainger County, Tennessee where they now live and which I bought from Cornelius GOFOURTH which they are to use and enjoy without rent. At the death of said NOE and wife, this tract of land containing about forty acres is to go to the heirs at law of my three sisters Comfort LONAS, Jane ODELL, and Tennessee WALLACE.
Item 2: I give and bequeath to Frank PIERCE, and wife, the tract of land in Hamblin County, Tennesee known as the TRAVIS place or BIGGS place on which the[y] now live as an estate in fee simple but subject to the following provisions, to-wit: William TRAVIS and wife for and during the period of their joint and several lives are to have a life estate free from rent in all that part of said tract of land which has been laid off and set apart to them and which they are now in possession of - and Sandy TATE and wife for and during the period of their joint and several lives are to have a life estate free from rent in all that part of said tract of land which has been laid off and set apart to them and now in their possession.
Item 3: I give and devise to my two nephews, David TATE and William TATE, children of my brother, as an estate in fee simple a tract of land situate in Grainger County known as the CHURCHMAN place, and which I bought of one CHURCHMAN and also a tract of land in Jefferson County, Tennessee known as the BRADLEY place and which I purchased from John BRADLEY.
Item 4: I give and devise to my niece Tennessee DENNIS all that tract of land situate in Hamblin County, known as the MILLIGAN place, and which I bought of Cub MILLIGAN to have and to hold, as an estate in fee.
Item 5: I give and devise to my nephew William LONAS as an estate in fee simple my house place in Grainger County which I inherited from my father, and also the MURPH place in Grainger County which I bought - in all about five hundred acres. I sold this property to him at the price of $10,000.00, and he paid me in land conveyed $5,000.00, and he still owes me $5,000.00, for which he is to give me his note payable without interest at my death and this device to him is made in place of a deed which has not been executed. I also direct that whatever may be due said William LONAS out of my personal estate is to be treated as payment or set off on said note.
Item 6: I hereby give and devise as an estate in fee simple to Onie OAKLEY, a little girl who is now living with my sister Mrs. WALLACE in Alabama, my farm in Hamblin County containing about 200 hundred acres known as the AUSTIN place opposite the Horse Shoe
Item 7: I give and bequeath to David TATE, William B. TATE, Jr. and Tennessee DENNIS, the sum of $1,000.00 to be equally divided between them share and share alike.
Item 8: I give and bequeath to Lizzie PECK and her three children the sum of $1,000.00 to be paid to her for herself and children.
Item 9: I give and bequeath to the five children of George W. TATE the sum of $1,000.00 to be equally divided between said children share and share like.
Item 10: I give and devise and bequeath to my three sisters viz: Comfort LONAS, Jane ODELL, and Tennessee WALLACE all the rest, and residue of my estate, real and personal, not otherwise disposed of by this will, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike and if anyone of them should die before I do, then the children of such deceased one shall take the part or the share of their deceased parent.
Item 11: I hereby declare it my purpose not to give or bequeath anything to any of my relatives except those above named; and I also direct that if any of their devisees or legatees above named should bring suit to contest, or set aside this will, or join in such suit, such devise or legatee shall forfeit all right, share or interest in my estate, but this provision is not intended to include a friendly suit to construe this will if necessary.
Item 12: I hereby nominate and appoint my friend J.W. GODWIN of Mossy Creek, Tennessee to be the executor of this my last will and testament, and direct him out of the first money that may come to his hands as such to pay my funeral expenses, the expenses of my last sickness, and any just debts that I may owe at the time of my death and the several legacies above provided for and the legal expenses of winding up my estate and any residue or balance will be disposed of under the tenth item or clause of this will.
Witness my hand this 25th day of September, 1899, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses hereto who have at my request subscribed their names as witnesses. [signed] WILLIAM B. TATE SR. W.B. Tate
Witnesses: Z.T. Godwin A.W. Cowan Subscribing witnesses: 1. [unsigned] 2. [unsigned] Codicil I, William B. TATE, Sr., having appointed J.W. GODWIN Executor of my will of date this codicil do hereby declare that in consideration of the confidence I have in his honesty, integrity and uprightness - It is my wish and I instruct that he act as my Executor without bond.
Witness my hand and seal this the 25th day of September, 1899. [signed] William B. TATE, Sr. W.B. Tate Subscribing Witnesses: Z.T. Godwin A.W. Cowan