SEVIER COUNTY, TN - WILLS - Benjamin Catlett, 30 April 1833 ==================================================================== 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. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: ==================================================================== Contributor's Note: The following Last Will and Testament was copied at McClung Library in Knoxville, Tn. from the Joseph A. Sharp Historical Collection. I am including it here as one day I may be able to make a connection between the three CATLETT men who were early settlers in Sevier County. (ie: John, Benjamin and Richard Catlett) Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Catlett, filed in Sevier County Chancery Court Office, in case of James B. Wells & Wife vs. William Catlett & Others, 10 April 1847; copied by J.A. Sharp, July 25, 1951. State of Tennessee Sevier County In the name of God Amen. I, Benjamin Catlett, being low in health and knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death and at the same time being of sound mind and disposing memory, do ordain and make this my Last Will and Testament. 1st. After my death I wish my body burried in a plain and Christian like manner and the expence of the same to be paid by my Executor out of my estate. 2nd. I desire that after my death all of my just debts (of which I have no others) be paid out of my estate in such manner as to be least felt by my family. 3rd. It is my will and desire that my beloved wife Nancy have my present residence in the town of Sevierville together with the Lots I own in said town, and my house hold & kitchen furniture also the use of all my negro property and its increase during her natural life or widowhood so as to enable her to bring forward my rising family to the best advantage she can in the world, but should my wife after my death intermarry again then and in that case my Executors to take such steps as shall be deemed most advisable to secure the Interest of my children. 4th. As to my plantation on Gist's Creek where T.R. Reagan now lives I wish my wife to have the use and benefit of it in the same manner for the same purposes that I have disposed of my property in Sevierville under the 3rd clause of the Wil. Also my horses, cattle and hogs in the same way. 5th. I further will and desire that my Bitner Mills be sold on twelve months time to the highest bidder by my Executor together with any property not all ready bequeathed by this will and the proceeds when collected put to Interest for the benefit of my children. 6th. After the death of my beloved Wife Nancy my will and desire is that what property of every kind both real and personal that then may be on hand be sold by my Executor to the highest bidder and the proceeds of the same when collected to be put to interest for the benefit of my children and all to be equally divided among my beloved children, Clarisa, William, James, Henry & Martha as they become of age and begin to act for themselves. 7th. And lastly I will and desire that my friends John W. Porter and Micajah C. Rogers act as Executors to this my Last Will and Testament hereby recinding and revoking all former Wills and testaments by me made. Given under my hand and seal this 30th day of April A.D. 1833. Signed, sealed & delivered in presence of G. Rogers, I.A. Miller Benjamin Catlett (seal) I, P.H. Toomey, Clk of Co. Court, Sevier County, certify that this true copy original Will of B. Catlett, Dec'd. on record my office, 3 Dec. 1845. Tuesday 31 June 1834 above will was proven by above witnesses, W. L. J. Ford, clk, 10 April 1847.