Will of Joseph Dickson
(The first to be recorded in the Dickson County court records)

In the name of God, Amen! I, Joseph Dickson, of the state of Tennessee and the county of Dickson, being sick of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for his mercies, and calling to mind the frailty of man and knowing that it is appointed for all human to die, have thought proper to constitute, appoint, make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament, Viz.., First I deliver up my soul to almighty God who gave it to me and my Will and desire that my body be interred in the gentle and decent manner who are hereafter to be named and as to my worldly goods after my funeral expenses and all my other lawful debts are paid. I will and bequeath as follows, to wit,

First- To my beloved wife Jane Dickson I will and bequeath my young negro girl called Chloe to her sole use and disposal.

Second - To my beloved son Hugh Dickson, I will and bequeath my negro boy called Pharoah.

Third - To my beloved son David Dickson I will and bequeath my negro boy called Sam.

Fourth _ To my beloved son Molton Dickson I will and bequeath my negro boy called Rowland.

Fifth - To my beloved son Joseph Dickson I will and bequeath my negro boy called Daniel.

Sixth - My Will and Desire is for my negroes Reddick, Almyra,Warwick, Dinah an Sylvia with their increase to be equally divided between my three youngest sons, Viz. Abner Robert and William Dickson.

Seventh - My Will and desire is that my young negro fellow called Virgil be hired out to the best advantage for ten years successively and the money arising from said hire to be appropriated by my executors to the best advantage in cloathing and education my said three youngest sons, Abner, Robert and William at the expiration of the said ten years the said negro fellow Virgil to be the property of my three sons Hugh, David and Molton Dickson.

Eighth - My will and desire is that my old negro fellow called Harry be the property of my three sons Hugh, David and Molton dickson and that he have choice which of them he will live with and the one he lives with to pay the other two thirds of what e is supposed to be worth per annum.

Ninth - To my beloved Grand daughter Lucy Jane Pearsall I will and bequeath the first child my young negro woman Clarry shall have.

Tenth - My will and desire is that my young negro woman Clarry with her increase except the first child as aforesaid and the above named negro woman Sylvia remain on the plantation with my wife until her death after which they are to be equally divided among my three youngest sons Abner, Robert and William Dickson.

Eleventh - My will and desire is that my old negro woman Phillis remain on the plantation with my wife until her death after which she is to be supported by my sons Hugh, David and Molton Dickson.

Twelfth - To my beloved niece Elizabeth Dickson Daughter of James Dickson of No. Ca. I will and bequeath one good bed and furniture and should she remain with the family until she gets married she is to be furnished at the expense of my estate with a good genteen suit suitable to her station to be married in.

Thirteenth - To my beloved sons Hugh and David Dickson I will and bequeath each a good bed and furniture also to my sons Molton, Joseph, Abner, Robert and William Dickson I will and bequeath to each of them one feather bed and furniture as they respectively came to the age of twenty-one years.

Fourteenth - My will and desire is that my negro man Cato be so disposed of by my executors as shall be most advantageous in provincing of land which land is to be the property of my son Joseph Dickson reserving the one third of my said land for my beloved wife during her natural life to include the improvements if any on said land.

Fifteenth - My will and desire is that the present stock of horses with my waggon be so disposed of by my executors as shall be most advantageous in procuring subsistence for the family the present years and if any remains they are to remain with my wife for her use and the benefit of the younger children.

Sixteenth - To my beloved Daughter Ann Pearsall I will and bequeath a genteel mourning suit to be furnished at the expense of my estate.

Seventeenth - To my beloved son Michael Dickson I will and bequeath a genteel mourning suit to be furnished at the expense of my estate.

Eighteenth - I make, constitute appoint and ordain my three sons Michael, Hugh, and David Dickson Executors to this my last will and testament.

Signed, sealed, acknowledged published and declared t be his last will and testament before us 27th day of December A.D. 1803.

D. Stewart, John Stewart, James Stewart Joseph Dickson (Seal)

State of Tennessee, Dickson County, June Session 1804. Then was the within last will and testament of Joseph Dickson dec'd produced and subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. Test. David Dickson C.C.