DAVIDSON COUNTY, TN - WILLS - Benjamin I. Drake, Jr., 6 Apr 1831
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Will of Benjamin I. Drake, Jr.
Will dated April 6, 1831
Recorded July 1831

In the name of God amen. I, Benjamin I. Drake of Davidson Co, State of 
Tennessee, being in low state of health in body, but of sound mind and memory 
and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed unto 
all men once to die, do therefore make this my last will and testament. In the 
following manner, that is to say, first of all, I recommend my soul to God and 
my body to be decently buried at the direction of my executors and as touching 
such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with in this world, I 
dispose of it in the following manner, to wit:
My will is that my executors shall first, pay all my just debts if any such 
there be. I give and bequeath to my grandson Benjamin Franklin Drake all my 
land which I own which lies south of the tract of land I have given and 
conveyed to my son William J. Drake, and joining the lines of Benjamin and 
Richard Hyde, John Drake and Thomas Smith, also all land which I own that lies 
east of the tract I have conveyed to my son William as stated above, and the 
lands belong to the heirs of Christopher Stump and Alexander Lester containing 
50 acres more or less. The last described pieces of land he shall have when of 
age. I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Drake who married James Powell, 
but now divorced, 3 negroes by name, Patience, Primee and Mary. I give and 
bequeath to my grandson, James Ford Drake, one negro man named Douglas. I give 
and bequeath to my granddaughter, Judith Adeline Marshall, one negro girl 
between 14 and 15 years of age, to be purchased by my executor out of my
estate. I give and bequeath to the children of my son William J. Drake which 
he now has or may have, except his son Benjamin Franklin Drake, whom I have 
already provided for, a negro woman, named Zilicy and her 2 children Squire 
and Bill and all her increase to be equally divided among them or at the 
discretion of their father.
I give and bequeath to my son, William J. Drake, one negro man by the name of 
Lewis. It is my will that the negro bequeathed to my daughter Sarah Drake, she 
shall have all and their increase. Also at my death and the death of my wife, 
Susannah Drake, I give and bequeath to my son William J. Drake all the residue 
of my estate of every description whatsoever which has not been mentioned in 
my will. I do appoint my son William J. Drake my sole executor to this my last 
will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills or testaments by ratifying 
this as my last. In testimony I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th 
day of April 1831.