Will of Jessee C. Wells



Giles County, Tennessee Will Book B (1869-1896), Page 234

State of Tennessee, Giles County December 23, 1874

In the name of God, Amen. I, Jessee C. Wells, being of sound mind and of good memory make this my last will and testament. I have heartofore given to my son A.G. Wells in money six hundred and fifty dollars and a tract of land soled by him A.G. Wells to Ben Smith. I also have given to my daughter Sarah C. Beasley, wife of J. A. Beasley, a tract of land near my residence in district No. 2 of said County of Giles and State of Tennessee beginning at a beach and Ley on the South East corner of the fifty two acre tract which I bought from Joanan(?) Moss thence with the Lane forty-four poles running with 83 � west to a rock in the lane in the Johnson line Thence north 25 � poles to rock thence 72 � (degrees symbol) west 147 poles to a beach with two beach pointers and big ash pointer in the west boundry line of Mason Moss 108 acre tract thence north � west 66 poles to a large red oake the north East corner of the same containing in all about one hundred and thirteen acres. I have made a deed to said land to said party Sarah C. Beasley in addition to a tract of land now owned by J. G. Mason. I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann E. Pollollard (sic) all the remaining lands now possess by me. I gave this With all the appurtenance thereto it being the tract on Which I now reside containing about 275 acre more or less. This I give to her to do as she pleases with. I Give to my daughter A. E. Pollard one Beaureu and one Chest a large wash pot and one larg boiler and one cow and calf. I give to my daughter A. E. Pollard 14 chairs Cupboard one dropleaf table one loom one brass Kettle. The remainder of my personal effects which may consist of notes accounts and money or other effects to be equally divided between my two daughters Sarah C. Beasley and A. E. Pollard or there heirs in case one of more of them should die before I doo. Made this the above day and date I hearby appoint Francis F. Pollard executer of my estate. Witness my hand and seal.

Jessee Wells
Test. Francis F. Pollard Gustin T. Campbell Jesse J. M. Biles

(TRANSCRIBER�S NOTES: Jessee�s name is spelled with two e�s in this Will � although most documents spell it Jesse. Jessee Wells (14 Oct 1797 � 28 Dec 1874), son of William Wells and Sarah Westmoreland, married Nancy Harwell (Jan 1801 � 10 Oct 1864), daughter of Buckner Harwell. Jessee and Nancy�s daughter, Sarah Cassandra married John A. Beasley. Their other daughter, Ann Elizabeth Wells married Francis Fenton Pollard. Jessee Wells is buried at the Wells-Pollard Cemetery in Giles County. The reference in this Will to "the lane in the Johnson line" undoubtedly refers to the adjacent land owned by William Johns(t)on. A Giles County Deed of 13 Dec 1844, in which Robert Johnston transferred his land to sons William & Andrew Johnston, refers to Jesse Wells� corner and the Wells line. Merriam-Webster�s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition, defines a POLE as "a varying unit of length; esp: one measuring 16.5 feet". LEY is an old word for grassland, meadow, or pasture � sometimes spelled LEA. This Will was unsuccessfully contested in 1875 by Jessee�s son, Albert G. Wells, as recorded in Chancery Court File Box W-5, Case 3416. Albert was seeking "his share" of land originally owned by a brother, James Buckner Wells, who died intestate in 1862. Jessee Wells took posession of that land, and farmed it, after James� death. The court dismissed the case and required Albert to pay the court costs.)

Submitted by: Jerry Johnson


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Will of William White, Jr.

Copy of May 1796. Will of William White Jr.
Probate Haymarket, Oct. 31, 1804

Probate Records- William White Jr. Will
6/1823 William Roach applied Administrator

William White's Will, Fauquier County VA
To Wife; Ann
To 7 Children;
John White
Betty White [Elizabeth]
Nancy White
Sally White [Sarah]
Carr White
Hanna [Hannah]
Mima White [Jemima]

Son William
To son; John White [Negro girl, Janney and her increase.]

[All of above was on the jacket of this Will]

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In the name of God, Amen! I, William White Jr. of Fauquier County, being very sick and weak in body and of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God, calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul in the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial and as touching such worldly estate werewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First I give and bequeath to Ann my dearly beloved wife all my estate so long as she liveth or widowhood and at her death or marriage, it is my desire that all my estate should be sold and equally divided equally amongst the seven children named; John White, Betty White, Nancy White, Sally White, Carr White, Hanna White and Mima White. N.B. if any should be dead the money to be divided amongst the living children. And to my son, William White, I give and bequeath one shilling Virginia Currency & never no more of my estate to him or his heirs. I give and bequeath to my son, John White, a Negro girl named Janney and all her Increase as a legacy left him & his heirs forever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six. Wm. White [+ Junr Crofs?] Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Wm. White Jur. As his last will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names. Thos. Bailey Elijah Robinson Abner George

Submitted by: Virginia L. Keefer