HARDEMAN COUNTY, TN - WILLS - James C. Ervin, 27 May 1884
====================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.
		
	 The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives
	 to store the file permanently for free access.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by: James H. Ragon	splstk@aeneas.net
====================================================================
Contributor's Note:  James C. Ervin is the transcriber's great-grandfather.

James C. Ervin’s Will

This last Will and Testoment of J.C. Ervin of the County of Hardeman and State 
of Tennessee.  I J.C. Ervin of the foresaid County and State do make this my 
last Will and Testoment being in the right mind, and do hereby revoke all 
other Wills heretofore made by me.
First,  I will that at my death or soon thereafter that my land be divided 
into two tracts as I have instructed my Children and that it be sold by my 
Execators at the highest bidder on at private sale as my children shall choose 
or elect and at a time that it would in their judgement  bring the largest sum 
of money and make a title to the purchaser and when thay shall have sold the 
same that they shall divide the proceeds of the sale between my heirs as 
hereinafter directed.  And that they shall also sell all my personal property 
at the highest bidder after giving twenty days notice in writing at 3 or more 
public places or at private sale if my children shall so elect and at a time 
which in their judgement it would bring the best price and that my Executors 
shall divide the proceeds of the sale between my heirs as hereinafter directed 
in the distribution of my estate so as to make them all -  my heirs - equal.
First Give to my beloved daughter, Ann E. Ervin, the sum of Three Hundred 
Dollars in gold now on hand also two beds and hed cholthing for the same and 
two bedsteads and two Muly cows and
Second That they give to my beloved daughter Sarah E. Ragan the sum of Seventy-
five dollars in money and 
Third That they give to my beloved daughter Clara H. Johns the sum of One 
Hundred and Fifty Dollars in money and
Fourth That they give to my beloved daughter Maria L. Hatch the sum of One 
Hundred and Ten Dollars after receiving the present growing crop which her 
husband is growing on my land rent free.
Then I will and direct that my Executors shall divide equally the remainder of 
my Estate between all my lawful heirs to share and share alike to wit: Ann E. 
Ervin, Cyntha P. McDaniel, J.J. Ervin, J.W. Ervin, W.A. Ervin, Sarah E. Ragan, 
Clara H. Johns, Maria L. Hatch and the lawful heirs of my deceaced son, C.C. 
Ervin, to wit: Sarah F. Ervin, Mamie C. Ervin, John A.C. Ervin, Alfred Henry 
Ervin and Caswell C. Ervin all as one heir to have one share.
And I further Will that my Executors shall out of the first monies which come 
into their hands after my death pay my burial expenses and purchace a marble 
slab just such a one as I have erected to the memory of my dear departed wife 
and have the Same erected to my memory with proper inscription thereon and 
that they Shall carryout all my Contracts which I have made with my tenant 
Croppers if any.  And further that they at Once as soon as they possibly can 
after entering on their duty collect all moneys due me by account or note and 
reciept for the same and thay executors shall be admitted to the executorship 
without giving bond  and that they shall not allow the Several Courts of the 
County and State to control the division of my estate in any way whatso.  And 
I do hereby appoint my son, W.A. Ervin and W.M. Ragon as my executors to 
execute this my last Will and Testament in every part accoriding to the Spirit 
of every provisions therein.
In testimony I Subscribe my name on this the 27th day of May 1884 in presence 
of Richard Nuckolls and C.C. McDaniel.
						J. C. Ervin
Signed and Sealed in 
presence of us
C.C. McDaniel
Richard Nuckolls

 The annexted Will was produced in open court on this the 1st day of June 1885 
by C.C. McDaniel and proven by the oaths of both the Inbscribing witness and 
Ordered Certified, Recorded and filed this 1st day of June 1885.
       C.H. Anderson, Chair County Court

State of Tennessee   County Court June Term 1885
Hardeman County   Then was the foregoing and written Will of James C. Ervin 
deceased produced in open court for probate and there being no contest was 
duly proven by the Oaths of C.C. McDaniel and 
Richard Nuckolls the two inbscribing witnesses thereto and Ordered to be 
Certifiec, Recorded and filed.
Given Under my hand at office in Bolivar on the 1st day of June A D 1885.
       W.W. Farley
       Clerk

(From the Bolivar Bulletin,  May 29, 1885, edtion)

“Dr. J. C. Ervin, a highly respected citizen of the 14th Dist. of this county, 
hung himself at his home on the evening of the 27th.  About 70 years of age.  
A citizen of the county about 50 years.  He was a Baptist.  He left a large 
family of children and grandchildren.  For about 24 hours before his death he 
had suffered greatly on account of a difficulty in breathing.  At times he 
would almost suffocate.  About 30 minutes before he was found dead, he sent 
his daughter, Mrs. Lou Hatch, to milk and another daughter, Miss Ann E. Ervin, 
to feed the Horses.”