Will of Basil Compton

State of Tennessee Giles County

I Basil Compton, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, (blessed be almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testamony, in manner and form following (that is to say,) First, I give and bequeath my beloved wife Sarah Compton, the plantation whereon I now live, during her natural lifetime, one bay mare, one bead and furniture, one Cow & Kitchen furniture.

Secondly, At the death of my said wife, I bequeath the aforesaid mentioned Land & plantation to my son Thomas C. Compton

Thirdly,-I will and order that land that I purchased of my son Jasper Compton be Sold on a Credit of one two & three years, and the land that I purchased of Dickinson & Cheatham be sold on the same Credit--

Fourthly--I will & order that the residue of my property goods & chattels, of what kind and nature so ever, will and order to be sold at public sale on a twelve month credit.

Fifthly-- I will & order that the money when collected of said residue of property Be equally divided between my son Isaac Compton, Zopher Compton, Eber Compton, John B. Compton, my Daughter Nancy Williford, Rachel Thompson, Lettice Were, and Sarah Fry. Except my son Jasper Compton's Heirs I only will Twenty five Dollars to be equally divided between them.

Sixthly--I will & order that the sum of five dolars be paid to my son in law Willis P. Hambrick out of my Estate by my executor.

And lastly--I do hereby nominate & appoint my son Isaac Compton & my son Zopher Compton my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament-

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, This Sixth day of May in the year of our Lord Anno domini Eighteen hundred & forty six, hereby revoKing all other wills heretofore by me made--

Basil Compton (seal)

Signed Sealed
and pronounced
in presence of

H. W. Thompson
Martin Fry

This is Basil Compton's 1846 will. Basil Compton came to Giles County with his wife and children in 1819. He also brought with him my GGG Grandfather Franklin Smith. They all came from Spartanburg, South Carolina. I am related to Basil Compton through Mary Elizabeth Compton, dau. of Isaac Compton, son of Basil Compton. Basil Compton's father is reputed to be Thomas Compton, a native of England who came to Spartanburg, South Carolina, before or during the Revolutionary War. Mary E. Compton was wife to Enoch H. Smith, son of Franklin Smith and Elizabeth Bearden.