A copy of the original will along with a typed transcription was sent to me on December 1, 2000 from Melba Barrett. At the bottom of the typed transcription is typed:

"Typed by Ann T. Lila

1423 East 3rd St.

Mesa AZ 85203-8117

Ph: ***-***-****

26 Dec 1996

Handwritten next is:

To Melba Barrett, Apr 5, 1999

            JOSEPH BARRETT WILL

THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI  ***    I JOSEPH BARRETT being of sound mind and

Neshoba county              *** memory but weak in body and knowing that

                                              all men have to die, do ordain and estab-

                                             lish this, my last Will and testament

First and greatest of all, I commend my soul to God who gave it and my body decently buried, not doubting that Jesus is my friend and at the great Judgement day will be reunited to enjoy everlasting bliss. Second, as to the prosperity wherewith God has been pleased tp bless me with, I wish divided among my children and dear wife in the following manner -

First of all, my just debts to be paid out of the money I hold obligations on JAMES WALKER of Noxubee County and others for the overplus (?) if any, to go to the purchase of land for my Estate and my negro girls SEREPTA and MARY and their natural increase together with my stock of horses, cattle, hogs, etc., to be kept together with my dear wife and children until my son BENJAMIN T. A. BARRETT arrives to the age of eighteen years old, who was born on the third day of July, one thousand eight hundred and thirty - six, then at that time an equal divide of all my Estate by division or sale between my wife RUTH and all my children, and CHARLEY C, MOORE to have this year a horse to be worth forty dollars, and BARTLEY B. BARRETT to have one horse next year of like value and WILLIAM M. MOORE if he continues to live with his Mother, to have a like horse the year following; and as to the float that REUBEN H, GRANT is to secure for me of half a section of land when located, I wish to divide in the following manner -

First, UTLEY P. BARRETT forty acres, MARCUS DEALE forty acres,  GAINES MCKARA*  forty acres and BARTLEY B. BARRETT forty acres, and the rest to the remainder of my children, and my lots of land in the town of Boundston, Noxubee County to remain as my Estate excepting those that my bonds are out of titles. I nominate and appoint my dear wife RUTH and my son BARTLEY B. BARRETT, with the advice of brother REUBEN, and my son UTLEY PICKENS to have this my last will faithfully executed.

       In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this 20th day of April in the year of out Lord, one thousand eight hundren and forty.

Attest                                            JOS BARRETT   [SEAL]

REUBEN BARRETT

ARTHUR BARRETT

* Gaines McKara should read McCrory

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI         Personally appeared in open court in

NESHOBA COUNTY             July Term 1840, the Probate Court in and

                                                                 for the County aforesaid, REUBEN BARRETT

                                                                and ARTHUR BARRETT who after being duly

sworn, deposeth and saith that JOS. BARRETT,  the Testator of the foregoing Will, signed, sealed and published, acknowleded this Instrument of writing as his last Will and Testament, the [he] was of disposing mind and memory and that the testator he subscribed his name thereto in the presence of these deponents and that they subscribed their names as witnesses thereto at his request.

   Sworn to and subscribed to in open Court this 20th July 1840, before me, L. B. AUSTELL, Clerk of the Probate Court

                                                                            REUBEN BARRETT

                                                                            ARTHUR BARRETT

THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI      I, L. B. AUSTELL, Clerk of the Probate

                                                          Court in and for the County of Neshoba,

NESHOBA COUNTY                    do certify that the foregoing Will was

                                                          deposited in my office for record on the

                                                         20th day of July 1840, and do furthur

certify that the same has been duly Recorded in Probate Book A pages 63, 64 & 65

              Given under my hand and seal of Office this 21st day of July 1840

                                                            L. B. AUSTELL, CLK

Transcribed and typed by

Ann T. Lila

1423 East 3rd St.

Mesa, AZ 85203-8117

Ph: ***-***-****

26 Dec 1996