In the name of God Amen. I, John Smothermon of the County of
Rutherford and State of Tennessee being weak in body but of perfect mind
and memory thanks be given unto God Calling into mind the mortality of
my body and knowing 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 into the hands of Almighty God
that gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in
decent Christian burial at the descretion of my Executors nothing
doubting but at the General reserection I shall receive the same again
by the mighty power of God. And as touching such worldly Estate
wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give
and dispose of the same in the following manner and form, towit, First I
give and bequeath unto Mary Smothermon my dearly beloved wife all my Estate
both personal and real after my just debts is paid during her natural life
and at her death. Secondly I Give and bequeath unto my two beloved
daughters, towit Phebe and Nancy all of my household furniture extra of
the ballance of my children. Thirdly and last of all the rest of my
Estate both personal and real is to be sold and the money equally divided
among all of my children begining at the Eldest one by one unto the
youngest. Lastly I do nominate and appoint my dearly beloved sons Lewis
Smothers and Elijah Smothers Executors to this my last will and testament
ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and
testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this
23 day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
and thirty three.
Signed sealed published and delivered by the said John
Smothermon, his last will and testament.
John (his x seal/mark) Smotherman
Abraham Smothermon
Jesse (his x mark) Smothermon
State of Tennessee
Rutherford County Court May Term 1833
The foregoing last will and testament of John Smothermon, was duly
proven by the oath of Abraham Smothermon and Jesse Smothermon
subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Jno R Laughlin
clerk
Recorded 13 August 1833
gbonner@umich.edu