In the name of God amen I James Aultom of the State and County afore said Being weak of Body but of sound and perfect mind and memory Blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my Last will and Testament in manner and form following (VIZ) first it is my desire that all my Just Debts should be paid out of my Estate I also give unto my Eldest Daughter Sarah Waldrop five Shilling and to my son John Aultom five Shillings and to my Daughter Rebekah Goggans I also give the sum of Five Shillings & to my Daughter Amelia Aultom I like wise Give the sum of five Shilling to be paid out of my Estate and to my son James Aultom I give one Cow and Calf the said James Aultom is to live with his mother Till he becomes of Age if he will not he is to be bound to some Good Trade and all the Rest of my Property I leave in the Care of my Beloved Wife Phebe Aultom Enduring her Life or widowhood for the support of my younger Children Namely William Aultom Jemima Aultom Spencer Aultom Elizabeth Aultom & Margaret Aultom and after my wifes Decease or Marriage the Remaining Property to be Equally Divided Amongst the said youngest Children only my son Spencer Aultom is to have one horse worth Ten pounds when he becomes of the age twenty one years old I also Constitute and appoint my Beloved wife Phebe Aultom Sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament here by Revoking all former Wills by me made in witness where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this Twelth day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety Eight and in the Twenty third year of the Independency of the United States of America Signed Sealed and Delivered In the Presents of
I, David C. ALTOM of Henderson County Tennessee do make and publish this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time made.
First - I direct that all my just debts including funeral Expenses be paid out of any moneys I may die seized or possessed of, or the first moneys that may come into the hands of my Executrix.
Second - I give, devise, and bequeath to my beloved wife, S.J. ALTOM, the remainder of my Entire Estate both personal and real to be hers during her natural life of widowhood, and at her death or upon her marriage to go to my following named children in the following proportions "viz"
That is to say, To my Son David Green and his heirs, the following described tract, or parcel of land, lying in the 10th Civil District of Henderson County Tennessee.
Beginning on a stake, Gum pointers runs thence North 101 poles to a small hickory with a small Hickory pointers. thence West 75 poles to a stake. Thence North 16 poles to a stake with red oak beech and gum pointers. Thence West 65 poles to a stake with gum pointers. Thence South 89 poles to a stake in an old field, some small bushes on the north side of the Jackson and Lexington road. Thence West 36 poles to a gum. Thence South 77 poles to a stake in the old field. Thence West 60 poles to a Holly and Maple pointers on the north side of Beech river. Thence South crossing said river 44 poles to a Holly. Thence East 94 poles to a stake and red oak. Thence South 16 poles to a stake in the branch. Thence up said branch with its meanderings to the beginning containing 185 acres be the same more or less.
To my daughter, Dora Hill SCOTT, and her heirs a certain tract of land lying and being in the 15th Civil District of Henderson County Tennessee which is bounded as follows, to-wit: on the north by the lands of Osee HARRINGTON, on the East by the lands of John McCOY, on the South by the lands of George ROBERTS and on the West by the lands of M.V. ROBERTS, containing by estimation about 70 acres be the same more or less.
To my son William Osker and his heirs, the following tract of land lying in the 10th Civil District of Henderson County Tennessee and bounded as follows to-wit: Beginning at a stake on the Cathey WILSON and Clay BROOKS corner Poplar and red oak pointers runs thence in a Northern direction on a straight line to the beginning of the tract of land herein conveyed to my son David Green. Thence North 72 poles to a Hickory with Dogwood and White oak pointers. Thence north 69 1/2 degrees East 11 poles to a stake near the fence with post oak and red oak pointers. Thence South 36 degrees East 382 poles to a stake with Hornbean, Hickory and Black gum pointers. Thence South 60 1/4 degress East 59 poles to a stake on the South bank of the creek with Holly, hickory and wite oak pointers. Thence South 112 poles to a stake in the field. Thence West to the beginning containing about 65 acres be the same more or less.
And also one Acre of land on the Eastern End of the lot of land upon which my residence now stands in the 10th Civil District of Henderson County, Tennessee.
To my son James R. and his heirs the remainder of said lot of land including the/my residence where I now live together with all the improvements on said lot, this being the lot of land bought of Robt. KIZER Sept. 24th, 1890. Also one other tract of land lying in the 10th Civil District of Henderson County, Tennessee.
Beginning on the Cathy WILSON and Clay BROOKS corner with poplar and red oak pointers runs thence north to the beginning corner of the tract of land herein coveyed to David Green. Thence down the meanderings of the branch to a stake in the branch the same being the corner of the McHANEY Mill tract. Thence East 23 degrees South 26 poles to a small gum. Thence north 47 degrees East 26 poles to a stake in the Lexington and Jackson road. Thence South with said road to a stake just West of the corner of the fence on a ditch. Thence East to the beginning containing by Estimation about 60 acres be the same more or less.
This disposes of all the property of every character of which I am now seized and possessed and should I, during the remaider of my life, accumulate other real property the same is to be Equally divided between my Three youngest sons David Green, William Osker and James R. to go to them and their heirs.
Lastly- I hereby nominate and appoint my wife S. J. ALTOM sole executrix of this my last Will and testament, and do hereby relieve and exempt her from bond as such executrix. She is hereby exempted and by this Will not required to make inventory or reports or settlements with any of the court's of the State of Tennessee. I do this because I have the utmost confidence in the ability and integrity of my wife.
in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, This Decr. 19th, 1898
signed by the said David C. ALTOM as and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us the undersigned who at his request and in his sight and presence have subscribed our names hereto as attesting witnesses the day and date above written.
The bequest herein above made to my daughter Dora Hill SCOTT of a certain tract of land is hereby annuled and abrogated because of the fact that I have since then sold said tract of land and have bought and deeded to her another tract of land in its room and stead.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, This Decr.11, 1899.
Signed by the said David C. ALTOM as and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us, the undersigned who at his request and in his sight and presence have subscribed our names hereto as attesting, the day and date above written.
STATE OF TENNESSEE WAYNE COUNTY. Oct. term 1851. Personally appeared before me in open Court Wm. BENHAM and made oath in due form of law that the within is a true and perfect copy and full inventory of the personal property of John ALTOM deceased which came into his hands as Admr. of said Estate.
JOHN ALTOM Dec'd Account sales.
Widow 1 lot shelfware $1.00
William ALTOM 1 razor & strop 3.37 1/2
Widow 1 lot shelf ware .50
Widow 1 lot shelf ware .10
James GORE- 1 square .45
James GORE-1 hatchet .60
J.F. KEATON- 1 clock 8.00
James GORE- 1 clock 8.00
Wm. ALTOM- 1 lot and irons .65
Wm. ALTOM- 1 drawing knife
Wm. BENHAM- 1 handsaw .25
James GORE- 1 sprouting hoe .70
Widow -1 teakettle .25
John A. JOHNSON- 1 plane .35
A.L. GRIMES- 1 jug .10
Widow- pot hooks .10
Wm. ALTOM-Stew kettle, lid & hooks .90
Wm. BENHAM-1 pr. hames .35
J. F. KEATON- 2 augers .35
Widow- 1 fire shovel .10
John JOHNSON- 1 side leather 2.00
J.N. BLACKSHEAR - 1 piece leather .29
J.F. KEATON- 1 pot & over .45
J.F. KEATON- 1 kettle .75
total 28.81 1/2
Widow- 1 check reel .25
A.L. GRIMES- 1/2 bushel .26
Wm. ALTOM- 1 seive .10
George CROMWELL- 1 flax wheel .75
Wm. BENHAM- 1 ax .86
Widow- 1 chest .25
A.L. GRIMES- 1 jug .55
Widow looking glass & S. iron .25
J.N. BLACKSHEAR- 1 cupboard 6.45
James GORE- 2 jars .25
Bennett HALE- 1 bed stead .10
James GORE- 1 pot & oven 1.05
James GORE- 1 pot rack 1.30
Widow 1 jar .10
Spencer LAY- 1 bedstead 12 1/2
R. C. HEMPHILL- 1 lot corn 28.00
Widow 1 saddle 1.00
Wm. BENHAM- 1 mare 13.50
E.S. GRIMES- 1 box 12 1/2
Widow 1 table .10
Widow 1 trunk .10
James GORE- 6 bbls corn @$1.50 ber bbl. 9.00
James GORE- Steelyards bell & broad ax 1.75
Total $94.97 1/2
MARGARET ALTOM Dec'd Accounts of Sales and invt. 1 Bulltongue plow, 1 singletree, 1 clevis, 1 pr of gears, 1 ax, iron wedge, 6 chairs, 1 chest, 1 trunk, 1 Do(ditto), 1 par cards, 1 candle stick, 1 decanter, 1 quart bottle, 1 shelf ware, 1 smoothing iron, 2 jugs, 1 pot, 1 teakettle, 1 lot of castings, 1 stone jar, 1 churn, 1 lot of shelf ware, 1 do(ditto), 1 lot of leather, 1 bridle, 2 beds, 1 bedstead, 1 table, 7 bed quilts, 4 coounterpanes, 1 brown mare, 1 spinning wheel, 1 side saddle, 1 stack of oats, 2300 binds bats, 2 head of sheep.
1 Acct on Wm. BURRESS - 10 barrel of carn -$10.00
James GORE - 1 bull tonge plow - .30
James GORE - 1 singletree & clevis - .30
James GORE - 1 pr gear - 1.00
Wm. BENHAM -1 Ax - .20
Wm. ALTOM - 1 iron wedge - .50
Wm. ALTOM - 6 chairs - 1.55
Wm. ALTOM - 1 chest - .50
E. M. ALTOM - 1 trunk - .15
Nancy BURRESS - 1 do(ditto) - .10
J.N. BLACKSHEAR - 1 pr cards - .25
Wm. B. ROSS - 1 Candlestick - .25
J.N. BLACKSHEAR - 1 Decanter - .25
John SPEER - 1 qt. bottle - .05
James GORE - 1 lot shelf ware - .30
Wm ALTOM - 1 smoothing iron - .20
John SPEER - 2 juggs - .05
Wm. BENHAM - 1 spinning wheel - .60
James GORE - 1 stack oats - 1.60
Wm. BENHAM - 2350 Binds oats - 17.62
Total= 25.77 1/2
Nancy BURRESS - 1 pot & teakettle - .50
Wm. ALTOM - 1 lot Castings - .50
Wm. BENHAM - 1 stone jar - .10
Wm. ROSS - 1 churn - .05
James GORE - 1 lot of shelf ware - 2.30
Nancy BURRESS - 1 lot of shelf ware - 2.00
Wm ALTOM - 1 lot leather - .30
Wm ALTOM - 1 bridle - .12 1/2
Wm ALTOM - 1 bed - 8.00
Wm ALTOM - 1 do(ditto) - 2.75
Nancy BURRESS - 1 bed stead - 2.50
J.N. BLACKSHEAR - 1 Dining table - .95
Wm. ALTON - 1 lot bed clothes - 1.00
James GORE - 1 lot bed clothes - .75
Nancy BURRESS - 1 lot bed clothes - .75
Wm. BENHAM - 1 lot bed clothes - 1.00
Nancy BURRESS - 1 brown mare - 15.00
Nancy BURRESS - 1 Side saddle - 1.00
Wm. BENHAM - 2 head sheep - 2.00
Total = 67.35
The above account is a true and perfect Inventory of all the Goods and Chattles rights and credits of Margaret ALTOM dec'd - which have come to my hands possession or knowledge or in the hands of any other person for me to the best of my knowledge and belief. This 4th Oct., 1852.
The State of Mississippi} Probate Court March Term 1862
Pontotoc County
To the Hon. W. S. Bates, Judge of the Probate Court of said County:
The petition of Mrs. Mary F. Altom a citizen of the state & county aforesaid respectfully represents unto your Honor that Elihu Altom late of said County departed this life on or about the 28th day of Feb. 1862 intestate so far as your petitioner knows & believes leaving a known residual certain real & personal estate in the County & State aforesaid consisting namely one Quarter section of land on which is a valuable plantation stock of mules & horses cattle hogs & sheep waggons farming utensils & household Kitchen furniture as also sundry debts and owing to him at the time of his death the total value of the said personal Estate is supposed to be worth about one Thousand five hundred dollars.
Your petitioner would further represent unto your Honor that the said decedent left surviving him Mary F. Altom his widow & three children namely Caroline P. Altom, John Altom, & Elizabeth Altom all of whom are minors.
To the end therefore that the said estate may be well & truly administered according to Law your Petitioner Prays your Honor to grant unto her letters of administration on all & singular the good, Chattles & personal estate of the said decedent within the state upon her entering into Bond, and taking the oath prescribed by law And to this end your Petitioner would here tender her Bond in the penalty of Three Thounsand dollars being double the amount of the supposed value of the estate with John B. Vance & Wm. Horan her securities Your Petitioner would also pray that proper appraisers be appointed & would here suggest that R. G. Lilly, J. B. Shawver & John Pratt Citizens of said county & suitable persons to be so appointed appraisers.
And as in duty bound your petitioner ever may & C
NOTE: THIS RECORD WAS ORDERED AND RECEIVED FROM PERSI. NOTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE WAS:
CHESTERVILLE CEMETERY
Mary F. Altom, wife of Elihu - 1 Sept. 1822 - 16 Dec. 1897
John C. Altom - 1853 - 1923
Lillie L. Altom - 1863 - 1931
State of Mississippi
Lee County
In the name of God Amen, I Mary F. Altom of the County of Lee state of Mississippi being of sound mind memory and understanding do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in the form following To Wit:
I give my body to the dust and my soul to God who gave it. My property or worldly estate I dispose of as follows:
1st - It is my will and desire that at my death any just debts I may have and my funeral expenses be first paid.
2nd - I will bequeath and desire the share being one third of my whole estate both real and personal that would according to the laws of decent in the state of Miss. to my beloved son John C. Altom. Also.
3rd - I will bequeath and desire to my daughter Lizzie Stephenson and her heirs one third of my whole estate, both real and personal.
4th - In consideration of some favors and advances I give and bequeath of my estate to James E. Ray, my grandson, one dollar.
5th - I will bequeath and desire of all my estate at my death one ninth to Molly Tally's(deceased) heirs and to Jno. E. Ray, two ninths of my whole estate, considering the whole estate to be divided in three shares, the said Jno. E. Ray, to have two thirds 2/3 of one third 1/3 and the said heirs of Mollie Talley dec'd to have one third of one-third.
6th - It is my will and desire that Jno. C. Altom be made administrator for the said Mollie Tally's(deceased) heirs.
Witness my hand and signature the 19th day of May 1897.