STEWART COUNTY, TN - WILLS - Dewitt A. DAWSON, 7 Feb 1854
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Contributor's Note:  The following is a verbatim transcription of the last 
will and testament of Dewitt A. DAWSON, son of Solomon and Rachel (MERONEY) 
DAWSON. Dewitt Asbury DAWSON was born 13 Apr 1819, in Stewart County, and 
died unmarried on 09 Mar 1854. Since he had no direct issue, his will is 
particularly rich in genealogical information about his siblings, their 
spouses, and their children. Dewitt A. DAWSON is buried in the Jones 
Cemetery, on Standing Rock Creek, next to his parents' graves.

This is recorded in Stewart County Wills and Administrations, Volume XX,
page 397.
Transcribed by Stephen Moody-August 1998
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I, Dewit A. Dawson, of the County of Stewart and the Commonwealth of
Tennessee being of sound mind memory and understanding do make and publish 
this my last will and Testament in the manner following...that is to say...

1st I desire after my death that all of my just debts be paid out of the
first moneys that may come into the hands of my Executors or Executor

2nd I desire that all my Real Estate together with my perishable property 
be sold on Twelve months credit or such credit as my Executor or Executors 
may think advisable 

3rd I desire that after paying my death and Funeral expenses that the 
Balance of the proceeds of my Estate be in some safe way  invested so to 
make Lawful Interest and the said Interest only to be used  if needed in 
the maintenance of my mother during her natural Life and after  the death 
of my mother I desire that fifty dollars be invested in some safe way for 
the Term of Ten years from and after the death of my mother. The Lawful 
Interest of said fifty dollars to be paid per annum in quartages to the 
Standing Rock Church of which I am a member and after the expiration of 
Ten years said fifty dollars to be paid over to the Board of foreign 
missions as missionary money.

4th I desire than thirty dollars or a further sum if necessary should be
appropriated to procure good Tombs for my father and mothers graves

5th I give and bequeath unto Wesley Parker my sister's son the sum of one
hundred dollars said sum of one hundred dollars to be placed in the hands 
of Alexander Andrews as Trustee for said Wesley Parker. Said Trustee to use 
said money for the purpose of deeding to Wesley Parker eighty acres of land 
in the Vicinity whre said Andrews becomes Settled and for no other purpose 
shall said Trustee use said money but incase said Wesley Parker shall die 
in his minority or intestate. Then and in that Event said eighty acres of 
land to be divided betwixt Alexander Andrews three sons (to wit:)
Christopher & Pickney & Andrew. Each shall receive share and share alike.

6th It is my will that the person or persons who may be troubled with me in
my last sickness be amply compensated for their Trouble out of the effects 
of my Estate as I desire to be taken Good care of 

7th I will and bequeath unto my sister unto Metilda Andrews wife of John
Andrews the sum of one dollar 

8th I will and bequeath unto Elijah Dawson, Elisha Dawson, my sister Ruthey 
wife of Alexander Andrews, William P. Dawson, Rebecky Anderson, & Sary 
Boyte wife of Lemuel Boyte all the remaining portion of my Estate what sum 
ever it may be.  Each to share and share alike 

9th I hereby appoint Elijah Dawson & Elisha Dawson & William P. Dawson or 
Either of them my Executors or Executor 

(signed) D.A. Dawson

Signed and acknowledged before us this February 7th 1854
Test: John McClish; J. W. Wofford

State of Tennessee}May Term 1854
    Stewart County}The foregoing paper writing purporting to be the last 
will and Testament of D. A. Dawson deceased was proclaimed in open Court 
and the Execution thereof duly proven by the oath of John McClish and John 
W. Wofford subscribing witnesses thereto and the same is ordered to be 
Recorded. 

Test: W. Cook, Clk.
Transcribed by Stephen W. Moody- August 1998