MCNAIRY COUNTY TN - WILLS - A.J. Surratt ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Contributed by Joanne Baucum ************************************************************************ McNairy County, Tennessee Will Book, p. 425 28 August 1930 Last Will of A. J. SURRATT [Andrew J. Surratt] State of Tennessee, McNairy County. Know all men by these presents. That, I, A. [Andrew] J. Surratt, being this day of sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby make and devise and bequeath this last will of my financial effect[s] of value of all the properties I may die possessed of. Believing as I do that I have a perfect right to divide my properties as I see fit, and too, that I believe I know better howe this property should be disposed of, for the general betterment of those receiving same. ARTICLE I After my death, I request that my body be buried at Mount Vinson beside the body of my first wife [MARY] where I have already erected a double monument, and that my executors erect a neat house over the graves of myself and my first wife. This building [is] to be made from good material, from wood. This is to be done at my expense before any divide shall be made among any of my heirs, my body to be buried neatly and according to the religious customs of our country. After Article One has been fully discharged, that [I] will and bequeath to my beloved wife, JOCIE, first one thousand dollars to be placed in trust to my executors, to go to my wife, JOCIE, but only as she shall become in need of same. This trust fund [is] to be placed in some bank on interest, and this interest to be added to this fund for her benefit. This [is] to be paid to her as she needs it, and only the amount to supply her present needs, and if she should die before this fund has been exhausted, then any balance left at her death to be placed back to my heirs equally, and divided among them as other properties. ARTICLE II That the home of which I leave to be sold and my executors to allow my wife JOCIE to select such a site or place as she feels will best suit her. And have erected a suitable home for her, and have the deed made in my name, but she to have absolute control of said home during her natural life, this home to cost not exceeding eight hundred dollars. ARTICLE III That I will that my executors buy or build for my daughter, SUSAN SMITH, a home - either a house and lot or a house and lands as she may desire, but this home or tract of land not to cost over one thousand dollars in cash. This is to be deeded to her, her lifetime, and then to revert to her children. She [is] to have no rights in this home or tract of land further than a life time interest, but all interests she has to revert to her children after her death. Further, I will that all moneys and such other means to make her equal with my other heirs be invested also for her benefit during her natural life, but I mean to have it entailed so that she cannot spend it or allow her husband to use - only for her immediate benefit, but not sell, but it all so to revert to her children at her death. This I do to protect her since I think this best for her welfare. ARTICLE IV I give and bequeath to my son, ALBERT SURRATT, [my daughter] LELA SCOTT, [my daughter] LOLA STRATTON, each and equal share and share alike in the following tracts of lands, one known as the BAKER lands, another known as the HOLMAN lands, and still another known as the W. W. SCOTT lands, all of which lands lies in the Tennessee River bottom and in Hardin County. These lands I only give in trusts, and my son, ALBERT SURRATT, is to rent out and manage, pay all taxes and other incidental expenses, and divided the dividends equally between each of his sisters as above mentioned. These lands [are] not to be sold during their life time[s]. ARTICLE V That I give and bequeath the lands known as the Cantrell lands, equally to my sons, GROVES SURRATT, SAM SURRATT, and L. SURRATT, and my daughter, SUSAN SMITH, each equal, but that my son, GROVES SURRATT, shall have full management of this CANTRELL lands in trust during their natural lives. And, after all taxes and such other expenses, to be divided between each of the above named heirs. This land shall not be fully owned by them as to seel during their natural lifetime[s], but to be held in trust as aforesaid. ARTICLE VI That all other properties be equally divided between my children, except as above named, that I mean that each one is to be made equal in a final settlement, since I believe in equality to children. However, I am, entailing a part of this property for their own protection only. ARTICLE VII I hereby deny my grandson, HAYS SURRATT, any part or lot of my estate should his father, L. SURRATT, die before he shall become possessed of his part, since I feel that he is altogether undeserving of the fruits of my labors and savings. ARTICLE VIII I hereby appoint as my executors to this, my last will, my sons ALBERT SURRATT and GROVES SURRATT. They [are] to be mindful [of] all unfinished business by me left unfinished, and divide as above requested and directed in this my last will. I hereby ask the Honorable County Court Clerk to give them letters of executors each of the above named ALBERT and GROVES SURRATT, letters of executors without bond, since they have always been true and I feel sure they will do justice to each concerned. This being my last will. I hereby revoke all former will by me made. This August 28, 1930. A. J. Surratt Witnesses to A. J. Surratt's last will: J. S. Sewell, T. G. Bridger, T. M. Wicker