KNOX COUNTY, TN - WILLS - John Major, 27 Oct 1867
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Contributor's Note:  In the text below is the will for my 2g-grandfather, John 
Major (son of Smith Major & Elizabeth Crippen of Knox Co.).  John was married 
to Mary Polly Gault (daughter of Thomas Gault & Rhoda Parker) in July 1835 by 
James Crippen; note that one of Mary's Gault relatives signed the will as a 
witness. 

In the will he passed along the property he purchased from Absolem & Celey 
Hankins in 1836 to his daughter (my g-grandmother Elizabeth Major).   
Elizabeth's brother George sold his part of the farm & later moved to 
Arkansas where he received a land grant.    Elizabeth's sister Malinda 
married Pryor Rufus Fortner in Aug 1873 in Knox Co.; they had at least one 
child they named Lelais S. Fortner.  I have not been able to learn anything 
further about her family. 

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John Major Will - 27 October 1867

In the name of God , Amen.  I , John Major, of the County of Knox and State 
of Tennessee being of sound mind and disposing memory and considering the 
uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefore make, ordain, 
publish, and declare this my last will and testament.  That is to say, first, 
after my lawful debts are paid and discharged the residue of my estate real 
and personal I give bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit:
                    To my beloved wife the land and appurtenances situated 
thereas known as my farm lying in the county of Knox and State of Tennessee 
during the term of her natural life and after her death to be divided equally 
amoung my heirs.  To my daughter Malinda all the farm situated and lying on 
the north side of Beaver Creek and known as the old farm.  To my son George 
the home farm situated and lying on the south side of Beaver Creek and north 
side of Beaver Creek Ridge and the upper end of my farm   the line to 
commence at the creek and run south with George Smith's line to his corner 
below my stable and thence a direct line square up the ridge to the top of 
said ridge and to my daughter Elizabeth all the remainder of my land lying 
below the conditional line between George and her lying on both sides of 
Beaver Creek and also two hundred dollars to make her land equal in value 
with the other two heirs. and I give my son George my riflegun   I give, 
bequeath, and (word?)  all the rest residue and remainder  of any personal 
estate to my children or their heirs who may be living at my decline to be 
divided equally between them share and share alike.  
In witness whereon I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the 
27th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
sixty seven .
Witness:
L. M. Gault                              		John x Major
Joseph Mynatt                                            (his mark)

State of Tennessee
Knox County
                                   To all persons Greetings.  Whereas at our 
county court held for the County of Knox at the Court House in Knoxville  on 
the first monday of  December 1867, it appeared to the court that John Major 
late of said county had died having first made his last will and testament in 
which an executor is appointed and the court having appointed Mary Major 
administratrix with the will annexed? and the said Mary Major will having 
been proved and admitted to record and the said Mary Major qualified as 
administratrix it is ordered that letters of administration issue  (word?)  
We therefore empower the said Mary Major to take into her possession all and 
singular the goods, chattels, rights and credits of the said Testator 
wheresoever the same may be found and all just debts of said Testator and all 
the legacies specified in said will well and truly to pay so far as the said 
goods and chattels, rights, and credits may extend and in all things to 
administer such goods and chattels rights and credits according to the terms 
of said will and the law of the land.
  Witness Wm. Rule Clerk of said Court at office in Knoxville the first 
Monday of December 1867.
                                                Wm. Rule, Clerk