THE
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF
THE HENDERSON FAMILY

WILLIAM HENDERSON WILL

Last Will and Testament of William Henderson


I, William Henderson, of Sevier County, State of Tennessee, being of Sound Mind and Memory have thought it proper for reasons Satisfactory to Me, although in usual Health this day to make and declare this my last Will and testament in manner following:

That is to say

FIRST:  The will and desire is that after my death all of my Just Debts that may be owing be paid and like wise my funeral expenses.

SECOND:  I give and bequeath to my Beloved Wife, Mary Henderson, one half of the Plantation on which I now live, together with the Dwelling House and out Buildings and timbered lands of my adjacent Entry sufficient to support her said half of said Plantation during her natural Life, All which is above Named, I wish my said wife to have and enjoy during her natural Life.  I also give and Bequieth to my said Wife, Mary Henderson, my two Negroes, Frank and Sarah, during her natural Life.  I also give and bequieth to my said Wife all of my Household and Kitchen Furniture, one Horse such as she may choose from my Stock of Horses, Two Plows and sufficient amount of Farming Utentials as she may select and necessary for her, also Two Cows and Calves and Twelve Head of choice Hogs which property for her to have and Enjoy during her Natural Life, Together with my mills.

THIRDLY:  I give and Bequieth to my son, Elijah Henderson, the other half of my Plantation on which I now live being the West End or half upon which he now lives running with the direction of a cross fence now running from the River Bottom toward the Meeting House.  I also Give and Bequieth to my son, Elijah Henderson, Two entries of land Lying on the Waters of the Yellow Springs Branch, Together with all the interest I have and too, Two entries of Land lying on the Waters of said Branch.  My Will and desire is at the Death of my wife, Mary Henderson, that my Son, Elijah Henderson, have the other half of Plantation on which I now live being the half before devised to my said Wife including my mills.  Provided he pays within Four years after the Death of my said Wife Twelve Hundred Dollars to be divided and Paid in equal proportions between George Henderson, Andrew Henderson, Randall Henderson, John K. Henderson, Elizabeth Henderson, Martha Swann, Mary Smith and Nancy McMahan all of which Land I Bequieth to Elijah Henderson to have and to use and Benefit of during his Natural Life and at his Death, It is my will that the said Land be Equally divided between William Henderson, Robert Henderson, Samuel Henderson and James Henderson, Sons of the said Elijah Henderson.

FORTHLY:  I will and Bequieth unto my Daugher, Martha Swann, my Negro Girl, Ann.

FIFTLY:  I will and Bequieth to my Daugher, Mary Smith, my Negro Girl, Matilda.

SIXTLY:  I will and Bequieth to my Daugher, Elizabeth Henderson, my Negro Girl, Julia.

SEVENTH:  I will and Bequieth to my Daughter, Nancy, my Negro Girl, Hannah.

EIGHTH:  I will and Bequieth to my Son, Elijah Henderson, my Negro Boy, Peter.

NINTH:  I will and Bequieth to my Son, Randall Henderson, my Negro Boy, Add.

TENTH:  It is my Will and desire after the Death of my Wife, Mary Henderson, that my Son, George M. Henderson, have my Negro Boy, Frank, and my Son, Elijah Henderson, have my Negro Girl, Sarah.

ELEVENTH:  I will and Bequieth to my Grand Son, William Henderson, Son of Randall Henderson, My Negro child named Alexander.

TWELTH:  I will and Bequieth to my Grandchildren, James Yett, William Yett and Mary Yett, each one Hundred Dollars out of the Proceeds of my Estate.

THIRTEENTH:  I will and Bequieth to my Grand children, Margaret Jane Pickle and William Pickle, children of my daugher, Dicey, each one Hundred Dollars out of my Estate.

FORTEENTH:  I will and Bequieth to my Son, Elijah Henderson, my twenty five acre Entry including the River and a Small Island.

FIFTEENTH:  I will and Bequieth to my Sons, Andrew Henderson and Randal Henderson, my Four Entries of Land on the waters of Mill Creek containing together about Three Hundred and Fifteen Acres each a join interest in said Land.

SIXTEENTH:  I have heretofore advanced to my son, John K. Henderson, Five Hundred and Eighteen Dollars which together with other advances I have heretofore advanced to him will make his full share of my Estate.

SEVENTEENTH:  It is my Will that which Property is on hand at my Death not heretofore Mentioned such as Stock, Blacksmith tools, Farming utentials be Equally Divided between my four sons to wit:

George M. Henderson, Randall Henderson, Andrew Henderson and Elijah Henderson.

EIGHTEENTH:  It is my Will that what Household and Kitchen Furniture may be on hands at the death of my Wife may be Equally divided between my Four Daughters to wit:

Elizabeth Henderson, Martha Swann, Mary Smith and Nancy McMahan.

NINETEENTH:  It is my will and desire that the bequest to James Yett, William Yett, Margaret Jane Pickle, John Pickle and William Pickle together with what Debts I may be owing and Funeral expenses be Paid out of what Money may be on hand and Debts owing to me and what over Balances then may be of Money on hand and Debts due Me, I wish equally Divided between my Children to wit:

George Henderson, Randall Henderson, Andrew Henderson, Elijah Henderson, John K. Henderson, Elizabeth Henderson, Martha Swann, Mary Smith and Nancy McMahan.

TWENTYTH and LASTLY:  I hereby make my Sons, George M. Henderson and Elijah Henderson, executors of this my Last Will and Testament.  I hereby Revoke and Make Void all former wills by me Heretofore made of Writings whereof.

I, the said William Henderson, have made this my Last Will and testament.  Set by my hand and (Seal) 15th day of March 1859.


                     William Henderson (Seal)

signed, sealed and acknowledged in Presence of us this 15th day of March 1860

  (mark)

    Elijah Henderson            Bosdell Scruggs
   July 9, 1861                    M. W. McCown

State of Tennessee, Sevier County:  I, C. A. Clementson, clerk of the County Court of Sevier County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a full and true and Perfect Copy of the last will and Testament Deceased as appears of Record in files in this office.  Given under my Hand at office in Sevierville, Tennessee the 9th Day of July 1861.

   C. A. Clementson, Clerk