GRAINGER COUNTY, TN - WILLS - Epaphroditus Hightower, 14 July 1819

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Jones Crawford	     powder@mwis.net

************************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in
any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,
must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal
representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb
archivist with proof of this consent.
************************************************************************
Contributor's Note:  Below is a transcription of the Will of
Epaphroditus Hightower of Grainger Co. TN, my g5grandfather.  It was
written 14 July 1819, but not submitted to the Court until February
1832.  This will was located in Box 49, Grainger County Court House.

There is an extensive file on this estate which was not settled until 1858.

Nancy Jones Crawford	powder@cysource.com
http://www.cysource.com/~powder/wills.htm

************************************************************************

The Will of Epaphroditus Hightower

Grainger County, Tennessee - Box 49

In the Name of God Amen.  I Epaphroditus Hightower of the state of
Tennessee and County of Grainger, being aged & infirm but of Prefect
Memory and sences, thanks be to Almighty God for the same.  Calling to
mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is ordained for all
men to die, and after death the Judgement.  I do in my proper senses and
deliberately make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner
and form following.  Viz.  I lend to my Loving wife Eleanor Hightower
The following Negroes, to wit George Mary and her increase and Dick,
also the plantation whereon I now live during her natural life time also
all my house hold and Kitchen furniture and farming Utensils.  And to my
loving Daughter Fanny Arrs Lea, I leand the following Negroes, to wit.
Winney and all her children that is with her in her possession with all
their future increase to her and her heirs for ever  And to my loving
son Joshua Hightower I lend Sarah and her increase for ever to him and
his heirs.  Also at or after the death of his Mother half the Value of
the tract of land that I now live on in the same way.  And to my loving
daughter Agnes Keersey I lend the following Negro Alexander to her and
her heirs after her for ever.  Also the to my Grand Daughter Elizabeth
H. Massengill the only Child of my Daughter Lettice Paul deces'd I lend
the following Negro, Thomas to her and her heirs for ever.  Also to the
offspring of the body of my Daughter Sally Walker deceased I lend the
following Negro man Anthony to them and their heirs for ever.  Also to
my loving Daughter Susannah Curl, and her heirs for ever the following
Negro woman Abbe and her increase, And to the offspring of the natural
body of my loving daughter Betsey Jarnagin the following Negro Creasey
and her increase to them and their heirs for ever.
							Turn Over

Also to my loving Son Epaphroditus Hightower I lend the following Negros
Jinney and her increase for ever to him and his heirs.  And the balance
of the Value of my land.  The land to lie in the hands of and for the
use of his Mother her natural life time as heretofore Mentioned, and at
her death it is not my will the land should be divided, but one of my
two sons heretofore named to keep the land altoger and pay up the other
for his part as they best can agree.  And Also the following Negroes
with their increase (if any) to be equally divided between My two sons
heretofore Mentioned to wit.  Lucy Nann and Nancy,   An All my stock of
horses Cattle hoggs and sheep &c to remain on the plantation for use of
my Beloved wife her natural life time and then after her death with all
the property that I leave with her except the land heretofore named to
be equally divided between my lawful heirs   And I do hereby appoint by
these presents my two sons Joshua and Epaphroditus Hightower my whole
and sole Exectrs of this my last will and testament disannulling all and
every will or wills here to fore made in withness where of I have
hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this fourteenth day of July in
the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and nineteen in the
presents of

L. Satterfield    p   }			Epaphroditus Hightower   (Seal)
Robert D. Eaton p }
Jonathan Aldridge }		feby 1832